Negative income tax notion has long been popular in some circles, its implementation has never been politically feasible. This is partly because of the very complex and entrenched nature of most countries' current tax laws: they would have to be rewritten under any NIT system. However, some countries have seen the introduction of refundable (or non-wastable) tax credits which can be paid even when there is no tax liability to be offset, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit in the United States and working tax credit in the UK. In 1971, President Richard Nixon proposed a negative income tax as the centerpiece
Lifetime income tax would make the first 8-10 years of the average Canadian's working life income tax-free. After that point, each next $250,000 of lifetime earnings would taxed at a progressively higher rates (14% rate until reaching $500,000, 20% until reaching $750,000, 24% until reaching $1 million, and 27% above $1 million). Critics argued that the system would actually increase taxation complexity, increase effective tax burdens, and increase taxation on older people and single families. Stephen Harper won the leadership election on the first ballot and Clement's ideas received no further significant airing. Lifetime income tax Lifetime income tax is a proposal for