The catch is very simple; you receive $10k, but as your income is $100k+, your income tax will go up by $10k + $X. 1) You getting the $10k benefits society in

The catch is very simple; you receive $10k, but as your income is $100k+, your income tax will go up by $10k + $X. 1) You getting the $10k benefits society in that we don't add any administration on the front end - deposits go to everyone, and then the taxing back step is already being done (as you're already filing taxes). So cheaper administration cost overall than doing a means test or whatever. 2) A basic income has to be introduced with corresponding tax increases. For some people the basic income is a net positive (if you're currently poor, broadly). For others it's a wash (middle class, by whatever definition). For others (like you and me, most likely) taxes will go up to pay for the poor. But then there are all the savings basic income leads to - fewer administration costs, fewer costs of poverty (like homelessness and crime), etc. 3) Right, don't do that. Handle it through taxation at the back end.