Crossword Genius

Key groups like circumventing tax (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

atolls

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'key groups' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.

'like circumventing tax' is the wordplay.
'like' becomes 'as'.
'circumventing' means one lot of letters goes inside another (I've seen this in other clues).
'tax' becomes 'toll' (I've seen this in other clues).
'as' placed around 'toll' is 'ATOLLS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for atolls that I've seen before include "Ring-shaped coral reefs enclosing lagoons" , "Coral reef islands" , "Ring-shaped coral islands" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app