During his presidency, proposals were made that aimed to modify the taxation of earnings beyond the standard work week. The core concept centered around allowing individuals to retain a greater portion of the additional wages earned for working extended hours. For instance, an employee who typically earns $50,000 annually could potentially receive overtime pay without the standard deductions for federal income tax, thereby increasing their take-home pay for those additional hours worked.
The perceived advantages of such a policy included incentivizing productivity, providing financial relief to workers, and potentially stimulating economic activity. Historically, debates surrounding taxation have often focused on balancing government revenue needs with the desire to foster economic growth and individual prosperity. Arguments in favor of this approach typically highlighted the potential to boost disposable income and reward hard work.