American tax officials

Chapter 105: I'll take 7%, you choose!

"These three cases are of extraordinary importance. Are you sure you can persuade him to join the investigation by offering these three people as leverage?"

Katherine's words were essentially a clear indication to Keanu that he should handle the matter personally.

Keanu understood perfectly and replied confidently, "Don't worry, Chief. Given the importance of these three to the Dieter case, I'm fairly confident we can reach an agreement!"

"Okay, then go ahead!"

Keanu didn't waste any words. He immediately went out, downstairs, to the parking lot, started his car, and headed towards the IRS Lake District Office.

……

More than half an hour later.

At the IRS Lake District Office, the ringing of the phone interrupted David, who was working on some documents. He picked it up and said, "I'm listening."

"Chief Tax Officer David, Tax Inspector Keanu from the Main Street District has come to us and says he wants to see you."

"Keanu Tax Inspector?"

David was taken aback. He was busy investigating the Dieter case, so why would the tax inspectors from this district come looking for him at this crucial moment?

They can't possibly want a piece of the pie too, can they?

With a hint of doubt in his mind, David replied, "Bring him to my office!"

It only takes about five minutes.

Keanu was then brought in, and immediately extended his right hand, saying, "Chief Tax Officer David, have I disturbed your work?"

"No, I wonder what brings Inspector Keanu to our lake district?"

"I heard your Lake District Precinct is investigating Dieter's case, is that right?"

David replied expressionlessly, "That's right."

"And as far as I know, you've almost finished off the Dieter Group. Now, besides Dieter and Virginia on the Indian Reservation, there are only the three big shots left to capture, right?"

David, growing impatient, replied bluntly, "Inspector Keanu, just say what you want to ask or say!"

Keanu chuckled and said, "It's a bit of a coincidence, really. A little while ago, our district's patrol team was raiding a criminal hideout when we stumbled upon the three henchmen gathered together. We've already arrested them!"

David was somewhat surprised to hear that the three henchmen had been captured.

He said that their inspectors had searched almost the entire lake area these past few days, but they couldn't find a trace of the three thieves.

It turns out they fled to the territory of the main street area!

But then again.

Judging from Keanu's appearance and tone, he didn't seem to intend to hand the person over to them directly.

Could it be... that you want some benefits?

If that's the case, then it's understandable!

Although these three were people specifically targeted by their lake district, they were ultimately caught by inspectors from the main street area.

It's only right and reasonable to give them some compensation for their hard work!

Composing himself, David replied, "I see... In that case, as you know, Inspector Keanu, these three are quite important to our Lake District branch. Could you transfer them to us? Of course, I won't let your inspectors work for nothing; I'll apply to the department to transfer them to you..."

"No need, Tax Chief David, I'm not here to collect taxes!"

This left David completely bewildered. If it wasn't about getting tax money, then what could it be?

"Chief Tax Officer David, we have a few cases in our department that are proving difficult. Given your outstanding abilities, we'd like to ask for your assistance in the investigations. Would that be convenient for you?"

After hearing Keanu's explanation, David finally understood that this was what the other party was planning.

However, to be fair, their plan is quite shrewd.

If it's just about taxes, David would give 10 or 8, which is already quite fair and generous.

But asking him to handle a case is a different story.

Who knows how much profit this case will generate?

Based on the economic size of the Main Street District and the fact that even the Main Street Precinct is finding it difficult to handle, David estimates that the value of this case is definitely over a million, or even several million US dollars!

If you calculate it this way, he would definitely suffer a huge loss if he agreed to it!

However, it's not an option to refuse.

After all, the other person has someone they need, which means they have a favor to do for them. If you refuse them, it would seem a bit unfair.

Thinking of this, David first asked, "May I ask what kind of case this is?"

"Have you heard of the Jarman case, the Gaden case, or the Gabrielles case?"

David thought about it carefully. This was a case in the main street area, and he didn't really have much of an impression of it or know much about it. He then shook his head and said, "Never heard of it."

"The Yarman case, this gang..."

With Keanu's eloquent explanation, David quickly gained a general understanding of the three cases.

In short, the Yarman case is a case involving a large-scale smuggling ring.

The Gaden case is a counterfeit money case.

The Gabrielles case is a case involving suspected arms dealing.

Although Keanu did not explicitly state the financial situation of the various criminal gangs, David had already deduced from their words that it was definitely not a small amount.

He then asked directly, "Inspector Keanu, what I want to know is the income situation of these criminal groups?"

Keanu looked thoughtful, then blurted out, "According to the information we've gathered, the monthly income of the heads of these three groups alone should be in the millions!"

According to the intelligence unit of the Main Street Precinct, the heads of the three major corporations each earn more than $400 million a month.

But he also knew that the information from the intelligence department was not necessarily accurate.

Therefore, he doesn't dare to give the exact number directly now, and can only give a vague estimate.

"really……"

David had anticipated this, so there wasn't much of a surprise. After a moment's thought, he looked at Keanu and said, "Inspector Keanu, since each of these three cases involves millions of dollars, they are definitely big cases. It's not fair to trade those three big shots for me handling these three big cases..."

"Chief Tax Officer David, I'm only asking you to help investigate these three major cases. While I acknowledge your excellent investigative abilities, what if, just what if you join in and still make no progress?"

"If I give the person back to you then, I definitely can't ask for them back. In that case, we'd still be the ones who lost out!"

David found Keanu's words somewhat amusing.

I have this golden finger thing, so how could I possibly fail if I'm willing to do it?

But then again.

After hearing that each of these three cases involved millions of dollars in taxes, he was indeed tempted.

Because currently, apart from the Dieter case and the Mexican gang's case, there don't seem to be any other major cases in their lake district.

If you can get involved in cases in the main district and make a quick buck, that would be a good option!

Of course, this is all predicated on him having to offer a sufficient return!

Otherwise, he wouldn't have worked so hard to benefit the local police station.

Gathering his thoughts, David replied confidently, "Inspector Keanu, if there's no progress in these three cases, I will compensate your Main Street Precinct regarding those three big shots."

"But if my involvement not only leads to progress but also plays a decisive role, surely I shouldn't miss out on any of the potentially tens of millions in taxes?"

Keanu's expression darkened slightly as he asked, "What you said makes some sense. So, how much do you want?"

David paused for a moment, then said, "If I played a decisive role in these three cases, I want 7%!"

"7%!"

Keanu, who had been relatively relaxed, straightened up instantly upon hearing these words.

He originally thought that David would only ask for 2-3% at most, after all, the case was in their district, and they were now preparing to hand over the three big shots to David, which could be considered as doing him a favor.

But to his utter surprise, David was so outrageous, asking for seven floors at once!

Keanu spoke with a hint of anger, "Tax Chief David, you're asking for 7% right off the bat. Isn't that a huge disregard for the efforts of our Main Street District Inspectors?"

David wasn't surprised by the other person's appearance and continued, "Inspector Keanu, the fact that you've come to me means these three cases are quite troublesome for your precinct."

"And as I said, if I can't play a decisive role, I won't take a single penny. I'll take 7%, which is better than you clinging to these three major cases without knowing when they'll be solved. It's not a bad deal for you either!"

Keanu replied with a long face, "That's not how it works, Chief Tax Officer David. These three cases are the result of the hard work of all the investigation teams in our bureau. If you take 7%, everyone will be unhappy. I'll give you 3% at most!"

Although he hadn't consulted Catherine yet, based on his understanding of the director, 3% should be within an acceptable range.

David pondered for a moment, as if he had thought of something, and replied, "3% isn't out of the question, but... I have a condition..."

Keanu was initially pleased to hear David agree, but after hearing the conditions attached to the second half of the sentence, he sensed something was wrong, yet still asked, "What conditions?"

"I know that your intelligence department must have made an estimate of the funds involved in these three cases, which may be 300 million or 500 million."

"Let's calculate it at 500 million then!"

"If you let me handle these three major cases, the amount of taxes I collect will be almost the same as this 500 million, then I have no objection to taking 3%."

"However, if I collect more than the initial 500 million, then I'll have to keep all the taxes. What do you think of this offer?"

Generally, when each branch office is investigating criminals, the intelligence department will only provide an estimated tax amount after confirming that the gang does indeed have that much illicit income.

After all, you can't just deduct an estimated tax from a group of criminals when you've identified them and don't know anything about their stolen money or goods.

No matter how powerful the IRS inspectors or intelligence agencies are, they cannot possibly investigate all the transaction funds of a criminal gang.

This has led to the fact that the tax data on criminal gangs provided by the intelligence departments of various branches are always underestimated, never overestimated.

However, in front of David, who possesses a golden touch.

No transaction or financial detail of these criminal gangs can escape his notice, which is why he is now offering this condition.

Although he would only receive 500% of the estimated $3 million in taxes, he felt that he would ultimately make more money if Keanu agreed!

"On top of the existing 500 million in taxes, collect a little more..."

Keanu was processing David's words when, suddenly, something occurred to him, and his eyes widened.

He suddenly remembered Li Gensheng's case from last time!

At the time, this case was investigated by two inspectors from their bureau.

As it happened, he ran into David, who eventually settled the matter with $8 in taxes, while David himself ended up with nearly $25!

This incident made the Dajie District Police Station feel like they'd been ripped off, and it infuriated their leadership.

And now, is David going to try the same trick again?

But then again...

David must have conducted a thorough investigation of Li Gensheng beforehand to outmaneuver the inspectors from their Dajie District branch.

However, David probably hasn't investigated these three major cases.

How could he be so confident that he could collect more tax than the estimated amount given by the intelligence section of the Main Street Precinct?

Seeing Keanu deep in thought, David couldn't help but interrupt, "So, Keanu, have you made up your mind?"

Keanu snapped out of his reverie and replied, "No, no, no, Chief Tax Officer David, just do as I said. No matter what happens in these three cases, you can only get 3% of the taxes!"

Regardless of why David is so confident, as long as he sticks to the 3% figure, he won't lose money and won't be played like he was in the Li Gensheng case last time.

David shook his index finger and said, "Tax Inspector Keanu, this isn't fair. Are you going to give me 7% of the total, or a portion exceeding your intelligence department's estimated tax revenue? You have to choose one of these options!"

"Tax Chief David..."

"If you don't choose one, then there's no point in discussing this, Keanu Reeves!"

Before Keanu could finish speaking, David interrupted him.

Seeing David's resolute expression, Keanu looked slightly helpless and stood up, saying, "I'll go make a phone call!"

David didn't mind and gestured for him to proceed. He knew that although Keanu was a tax inspector at the Main Street Precinct, he couldn't make decisions on matters involving large sums of tax money and had to consult the Main Street Precinct chief.

Keanu walked out of his office, went to the stairwell, lit a cigarette, and dialed Catherine's number.

The call was quickly answered, and Catherine's voice came through: "How did the talks go?"

"Chief, there's been a slight problem. Here's what happened..."

Meanwhile, in the director's office of the State Taxation Bureau's Dajie District Branch.

Catherine was stunned after hearing the two options David gave her.

(End of this chapter)