Exacts payment for those in one's care (7)

I believe the answer is:

charges

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'exacts' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for charges that I've seen before include "Accusations of guilt" , "Accuses" , "Formal accusations" , "Expenses" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Globe and Mail.

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