The answer you gave the tax inspector (6)
I believe the answer is:
return
'the answer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for return that I've seen before include "hit back?" , "answer" , "Take back" , "get back to original state" , "Come back; profit" .)