Chapter 5: The FBI is like a younger brother to the IRS

The uninterrupted remarks of the two made Warren fall silent for a moment, but the defiance on his face showed that he had not fully intended to compromise.

It was then that Paul spoke again, "Anthony, in that case, how much of this million we stole do we need to hand over?"

"I've checked. The new black tax law and the normal tax rate levied by the National Tax Bureau are the same. Out of this million, we need to pay nearly 40 percent!"

"40 percent..."

Warren and Holt's faces turned the color of liver, and as for Warren, his expression darkened to the extreme.

40 percent.

That meant they had to give nearly 400 thousand to the National Tax Bureau out of the million they had stolen!

And the most important thing was.

They had risked their lives for this heist.

And the National Tax Bureau, with ease, was going to take half of the haul, which pained them physically and caused an extreme sense of injustice mentally.

"If it comes to it, let's just off that inspector!"

Warren could no longer contain his frustration and, gritting his teeth, drew the gun he had tucked at his waist.

This action also scared the three, including Anthony, half to death.

Off a National Tax Bureau inspector?

What a joke!

That would be like a death wish for someone who already has one foot in the grave!

"Don't be rash, Warren. In the United States, you can kill cops, FBI agents, even CIA operatives, but you can't touch people from the Tax Bureau—they will retaliate against you like mad!"

"Yeah, Warren, you really can't mess with the people from the Tax Bureau. Haven't you heard about what happened with DEA Kiki Investigator?"

He was fine up until then.

Upon hearing about Kiki Investigator, Warren, who was previously in a rage, suddenly calmed down, and even a flicker of fear crossed his eyes!

Being Mexican, of course, he had heard about the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) Kiki Investigator.

The investigator was, in the 1980s, captured by a drug lord while on a mission to investigate them, and was tortured inhumanely for over 30 hours.

When DEA got wind of this, they launched a furious retaliation that caused the biggest drug cartel to collapse overnight, with the rest of the drug lords dead or captured.

Ever since then, DEA has been the nightmare of every Mexican drug lord and criminal.

Warren might not fully grasp how formidable the National Tax Bureau is, but the name DEA was etched deep in his bones.

"Hold on... what does this have to do with DEA?"

Warren set aside the fear in his heart and quickly asked.

"What I'm telling you is, DEA isn't even a big player among our U.S. law enforcement agencies, not even close to FBI or CIA!"

"And as for the National Tax Bureau (IRS), let alone DEA, even the FBI and CIA combined might not be able to hold a candle to them!"

"Just think, if meddling with DEA's people caused the biggest Mexican drug organizations to crumble overnight, what would happen if you messed with an inspector from the Tax Bureau!"

Upon hearing Anthony's explanation.

At that moment, Warren felt a chill down his spine, but still incredulously asked, "Can't be that bad, right? After all, it's just the Tax Bureau..."

"Warren, our United States Tax Bureau is different from your country's and other countries'. The federal constitution grants them the power to collect taxes by force."

"Once they set their sights on you, aside from paying taxes, there is no other way out, and every American knows this very well..."

The implication of Anthony's words was.

You, Warren, are not an American, so of course, you don't know the strength of the Tax Bureau.

"Yeah, Warren, you must have heard of Al Capone, right?"

"He was the biggest mafia godfather in the United States at the time, untouchable by cops and FBI, and even the President had no way to deal with him!"

"But do you know how he was eventually sent to prison?"

Paul followed up, while Warren listened intently with a serious face.

"It was a combined effort of several FBI departments and the President inviting the United States Tax Bureau into action. The Bureau sent an undercover agent who gathered evidence for three years before finally sending Al Capone to prison on charges of tax evasion!"

"As long as the National Tax Bureau doesn't have anything on us, it's fine, but now that they do, we'd better just pay our taxes honestly. Resisting them won't do us any good!"

Warren fell silent. He might have had a hot temper and an aversion to paying taxes, but he was not foolish enough to think about using extreme measures like murder to solve the problem.

After all, US Dollars are good, but you need to be alive to spend them!

"Alright, the people from the National Tax Bureau have given us an ultimatum, don't delay it, get the money ready!"

Although Warren did not answer directly, Anthony could see his decision and thus made his own decision immediately.

…

The National Tax Bureau Lakeside District Sub-Bureau Branch is located at 67 Monarch Avenue.

It covers an area the size of a football field and is divided into five levels, both above and below ground.

The first floor is the tax reception hall, the second the cafeteria, the third the inspectors' offices, the fourth the offices for the bureau director and deputy directors, and the fifth the conference rooms.

At this moment, the third floor was bustling.

A large number of criminals were being brought in by inspectors for continuous tax interrogations.

In the west side of the third floor, within a connected office space,

Nisen back propped his legs on the desk, twirling a pen through his fingers and thoughtfully asking, "It's already 4 o'clock, you think those guys haven't come up with other ideas?"

"Don't worry, they can't pull any tricks!"

David, who was leisurely sipping his coffee, wasn't the slightest bit worried.

He had so much information on these guys that if they refused to comply, he could arrest them right away and slowly find their assets or just freeze their accounts.

Anyway, he had plenty of ways to make these guys cough up the tax money!

It was just a matter of whether they were wise enough to understand that.

"Inspector David, these gentlemen say they want to see you!"

While the two were talking, a call came from behind them.

Turning around,

it was the tax reception staff from the first floor, followed by four individuals wearing hats, sunglasses, and masks.

Upon seeing these four, David and Nisen immediately perked up.

Despite the heavy disguises, they recognized them as Anthony, who they had met not long before!

And since these four people had arrived,

it meant that they were most likely ready to compromise!

"Inspector David, it's me!"

Anthony, fearing he might not be recognized, spoke up to remind him.

"I know, speak up!"

"Here's the thing, we can pay the tax, but we need a promise!"

"Let's hear it!"

"We hope this matter won't reach the ears of the police department or the FBI. We don't want to go to prison!"

Upon hearing this, David and Nisen couldn't help but exchange a smile.

Then David turned to say, "Mr. Anthony, I think you should have familiarized yourself with our Off-the-Books Taxation Act, right?"