The income redistribution system plays a critical role in addressing income inequality. Its success in achieving policy objectives depends on the selection of effective policy instruments. However, can these instruments consistently align with their intended goals?To explore this question, this study examines the alignment between income redistribution policy tools and the objective of reducing income disparity using NCA and fsQCA methods.The analysis, which includes data from 31 provincial administrative units, reveals that relying on a single policy tool is insufficient to effectively mitigate income inequality. Instead, a comprehensive configuration of diverse policy tools is necessary. Specifically, the study identifies multiple viable configurations of policy tools that match the objective of reducing the urban-rural income gap and the rural income gap. The findings highlight the synergistic effects of income redistribution policy tools and their conditional correlations. These insights provide a novel and effective pathway for addressing income inequality in the new era. Additionally, they offer a scientific basis for formulating high-quality public policies aimed at reducing income disparities