Zero put on tax? One at work gives sustained applause (7)
I believe the answer is:
ovation
'sustained applause' is the definition.
(as in a standing ovation)
'zero put on tax? one at work' is the wordplay.
'zero' becomes 'O' (O resembles 0).
'put on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'tax?' becomes 'VAT' (UK Value Added Tax).
'one' becomes 'I' (Roman numeral).
'at work' becomes 'on' (on can mean activated or working).
'o'+'vat'+'i'+'on'='OVATION'
'gives' is the link.
(Other definitions for ovation that I've seen before include "Sustained applause (may be standing)" , "Enthusiastic reception" , "Enthusiastic and loud applause (sometimes standing)" , "Enthuiastic applause, often standing" , "Period of sustained applause" .)