The EIC is welfare.
The prebates assume that in the larger picture few will actually ‘make’ money. And then when they spend the prebates (that money designed to credit or refund a portion of sales taxes paid) they end up paying taxes again.
Of course if they choose to be smart consumers buying second hand then they won’t pay those taxes.
But those at the lowest end of the economic scales are not known for being smart consumers or savvy investors, are they?
Why do you prefer the EIC and IRS?
So by FT logic, everyone should recieve a fixed EIC.