What is the primary purpose of a negative income tax?

A negative income tax primarily aims to supplement the income of low-income working families by providing financial assistance through the tax system. This mechanism ensures that individuals or families earning below a certain threshold receive payments from the government rather than paying taxes. Essentially, it acts as a safety net that helps lift people out of poverty and encourages participation in the workforce.

By designing a system where earnings below a set level result in tax credits or payments, the negative income tax not only alleviates financial strain but also provides a disincentive for welfare dependency, encouraging individuals to seek employment. This approach aims to reduce inequality and support low-income earners, making it a targeted solution for poverty alleviation.

The other options focus on different objectives: providing tax incentives is generally aimed at stimulating business investment, wealth accumulation relates to taxes on assets rather than income, and funding public health programs is not a direct function of a negative income tax.