With their joint efforts, they successfully arrested the gang’s drug dealers, while the others surrendered quietly. However, a Black man tried to resist during the arrest and was unfortunately killed by 21 gunshots; his body was still warm.
The officers all expressed their condolences, among them a second-level officer and a first-level officer were rewarded with administrative leave.
Mig contentedly said, "Now, you just need to follow me back to the station to make a statement and provide your bank account details. Once we have reviewed the case and notified the San Francisco Police Department and the Chinese community, you can collect your payment."
After handling the scene, Officer Mig returned to the police car, started the vehicle, and led the way, with Allen Zhang and another following him to the Southern Branch.
It took some time to reach the Southern Branch, and the vehicle was parked by the roadside.
This was Allen Zhang’s first visit to the local police station. Under Officer Mig’s guidance, he toured the gym, parking lot, changing and storage room, and the cafeteria, appreciating the generous facilities of just the branch, reflecting the good welfare and treatment of the officers.
It was still working hours, most officers were patrolling the streets, and not many people were left inside the station. The two, who weren’t criminals but just following procedures, were accompanied by Officer Mig throughout the interrogation with hot coffee and milk served.
After making the statement and leaving Sieg’s bank account details, they decided not to dine there and left the Southern Branch with Mig.
Back in the pickup truck, Allen Zhang checked his phone as Dave had just sent him a message.
Dave: I just finished attending a case at the courthouse and took the opportunity during my free time to inquire about Huasa Private Bank for you. There are indeed no traps, and I have successfully applied for a bank card for you. You just need to deposit ten thousand dollars to activate it. Do you have time to pick up the card now?
Allen Zhang: I’m on my way now.
Following the address Dave had sent, Allen Zhang and Sieg drove to the restaurant.
Dave had finished his lunch and was waiting at the entrance. He warmly greeted them and handed over the applied bank card to Allen Zhang.
There was an ATM machine nearby, and Allen Zhang straightforwardly deposited twenty-five thousand dollars, keeping 4630 dollars in cash for emergencies and activated the savings card.
He also consulted Dave about how much tax was due on the ten thousand dollar reward.
After understanding the situation, Dave took out paper and pen and calculated: "Taxation isn’t that complicated; it is progressively deducted based on the total continuous personal income. For poor families in California, depending on the region, the minimum is just 10%, and the maximum is 37%. You can file as single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household. In Los Angeles, the property tax is 1%-1.5% annually."
"An additional income of twelve thousand dollars, if you are filing as single and exceed the annual income threshold of 11600 dollars, you need to deduct 12% federal tax, 7.65% for social security and medicare tax, and 5% state tax; ultimately, you should have 9042 dollars left. If you earn more money later, more will be deducted when you file taxes."
"...Isn’t it like... robbing you?"
Allen Zhang was silent for a long time.
"Your current annual salary record should be the balance in your bank account; your bank statement shows zero transaction history with no assets at all, you’re just an ordinary poor person. But luckily, your credit isn’t bankrupt."
Dave explained, "That’s how it is for poor families; social security tax, medicare tax. Every time you use your bank card, you have to pay extra taxes. Since you don’t have a company, the most taxes you pay are invisible taxes; everything you buy is taxed."
"If you can make three thousand dollars a week, then you have to pay one thousand dollars in taxes. This includes federal tax, state tax, social security tax, and medicare tax, not including sales tax and property tax. You also need to pay 7.25% sales tax when selling goods, but luckily your bank card can be used to offset taxes on antique collections, in which case you only need to pay 1% exchange tax."
Just listening to this made Allen Zhang’s scalp tingle, yet it seemed entirely reasonable.
The more incompetent you are, the less tax you have to pay; the more capable you are, the more tax you need.
Would you rather be a useless person who wanders the streets waiting to die, or would you prefer to be a robustly growing leek?
Hard to choose? That’s right, life is just that tough!