American tax officials

Chapter 22 Bribery

"For those of you with incomes exceeding $9726 but below $37650, you only need to pay a 15% tax rate. That's not unreasonable, is it?"

"It's not that we're denying you your right to live, but on American soil, everything must be done according to our laws!"

Upon hearing about the 15% tax rate, the island nation did the math carefully.

In other words, for every $10,000 they earn, they have to pay $1500 in taxes; for $20,000, it's $3000; and for $30,000, it's $4500...

Overall, the amount of money wasn't unacceptable, but they still felt a pang of regret and resentment at having to hand it over so readily.

"What if it exceeds $37650?"

The person who asked this question, Miyano Masashi, as the leader of this gang, naturally earned far more than his underlings back then.

Although he wasn't actually planning to pay taxes to the IRS, he wanted to find out what the tax rate would be like at his level.

David replied, "For amounts over $37650 but under $91150, the tax rate is 25 percent, according to our IRS rate."

"For amounts exceeding $91150 but below $190150, the percentage is 28%."

"The figure is 33%, which is higher than 190150 and lower than 413350."

"Amounts exceeding $413350 will be taxed at a uniform rate of 39.6%..."

Miyano Masashi's face immediately darkened.

As income increases, tax rates also rise sharply.

If that's the case, then for someone with his level of income, the tax rate would be 33%.

That's more than twice the number of his men.

And most importantly, according to the terms of the Black Tax Act, this is not a one-off deal.

Once he's registered in the IRS system, he'll have to pay taxes every month unless he kicks the bucket or has absolutely no income.

But no matter what, aren't they all pure, unadulterated vengeful spirits?

Miyano Masashi, who hadn't really considered compromising to begin with, became even more determined after hearing about such a high tax rate.

"Bang bang bang..."

Just as the atmosphere at the scene was becoming quiet, a knocking sound suddenly came from outside the door.

Miyano Masashi's eyes lit up, and he called out to one of his subordinates, "Ogawa, open the door!"

As the subordinate pulled out a remote control and pressed a button, the iron gate that had been pulled down began to slowly rise.

Soon, everyone noticed that two people in police uniforms were standing in front of the door, and a police car was parked behind them.

Name: Wade Blair.

Occupation: Police officer at the Las Vegas Lake District Precinct.

Monthly income: $6936.

[Monthly illicit income: $7000]

[Income Details: December 3, $1000 earned by sheltering a group of robbers; December 9, $800 earned by erasing criminal records; December 22, $1500 earned by sheltering a car thief in the Lake District.]

[More details: ...]

Tax payable: US$700

……

[Name: Balk Descott]

Occupation: Police officer at the Las Vegas Lake District Precinct.

Monthly income: $7102.

[Monthly illicit income: $7000]

[Income Details: December 3, $1000 earned by sheltering a group of robbers; December 9, $800 earned by erasing criminal records; December 22, $1500 earned by sheltering a car thief in the Lake District.]

[More details: ...]

Tax payable: US$700.

"These two corrupt cops must be the henchmen of Chief Smith that Yutaro Ono mentioned before!"

David secretly examined the personal information displayed above the two people's heads.

Meanwhile, upon seeing the two men, Miyano Masashi, who had initially been expectant, seemed somewhat displeased and asked, "Wade, Officer Balker, where is Chief Smith?"

"The sheriff was busy with official duties, that's why he called us over to handle this!"

The two police officers first glanced at the scene, and then their brows furrowed slightly when they saw David and Nissen standing in the middle.

Sheriff Smith's claim of being busy with official duties was just an excuse; in reality, he knew how difficult the IRS was and didn't want to get involved personally.

Of course, they didn't want to deal with the IRS either. These inspectors had boundless power; they would bite even a passing dog if it had a tax problem. Although they were police officers, they would keep their distance as much as possible.

But there's really no other way today.

Firstly, Sheriff Smith himself was unwilling to handle the matter and delegated it to them.

Secondly, they had indeed received a lot of asylum fees from this group of islanders, and if they didn't come, why would they be willing to pay next time?

There's really no way to escape it now!

Wade and Balk pushed through the crowd, pulled Miyano Masashi aside, and asked, "What's going on now?"

"These two IRS guys said they absolutely have to make us pay taxes, or they'll freeze all our accounts and assets and then deport us!"

Miyano Masashi spoke with a hint of anger, but his tone also carried a trace of complaint.

Wade and Balk didn't find this statement exaggerated or surprising. The IRS does have the authority to do these things, and such an overbearing and domineering approach is consistent with their usual style.

Wade asked, "So, what do you want us to do?"

Without hesitation, Miyano Masashi replied, "I don't want them causing me trouble, and of course, I don't want to pay taxes!"

Upon hearing this, the two were speechless.

If you want to avoid trouble with the IRS, the best option is to honestly pay your taxes.

But you don't want to get into trouble or pay taxes. Even if your chief were in charge, let alone those two junior officers, he might not be able to handle it.

"I know this is a difficult matter for you to resolve, but if you help me settle it, I'm willing to pay double the monthly sheltering fee!"

In order to persuade the two to help him resolve this matter, Miyano Masho went to great lengths.

Of course, his so-called "blood money" is nothing compared to the taxes he needs to pay to the IRS every month.

Upon hearing about the double protection fee, both Wade and Balk were somewhat tempted.

After a moment's thought, Wade said, "How about this, I'll go talk to those two inspectors. Perhaps... I can win them over. However, the IRS inspectors wield a lot of power, and they're all arrogant. If we really want to get rid of them, the price might be quite high..."

Miyano Masashi was somewhat intrigued and asked, "Are you confident?"

He had considered bribing David and Nissen, but David's imposing manner earlier made him unsure of the inspector's true nature.

If he does this rashly, the other party might think he is being insulted and could even accuse him of bribery, which would be a loss.

But if Wade were to negotiate, it would be a different story.

(End of this chapter)