Taxing a good with very elastic demand generates more deadweight loss than taxing a good with very inelastic demand because

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Goods with very elastic demand are characterized by consumers being highly responsive to price changes. As a result, if the government places a tax on the good, consumers are likely to respond by reducing their consumption significantly, causing a larger decline in the quantity demanded. This greater change in consumer behavior leads to a larger deadweight loss. In contrast, goods with very inelastic demand are characterized by consumers being less responsive to price changes. As a result, placing a tax on the good may not have a significant effect on consumer behavior, resulting in a smaller deadweight loss.

Taxing a Good with Very Elastic Demand Generates More Deadweight