History Main / AuditThreat

* Robert Stack's tycoon character in Film/UncommonValor gets threatened with IRS audits if he continues to fund the operation to go rescue some long-abandoned and left for dead VietnamWar prisoners (amongst which is his and TheHero's son). [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome His response]] [[ScrewTheMoneyIHaveRules is]] [[ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight a simple]] [[PrecisionFStrike "fuck you"]].

** In MenAtArms, the City Watch (under Corporal Carrot) uses this to get some weapons to deal with the civil unrest in Ankh-Morpork from the armory.

* Robert Stack's tycoon character in Film/UncommonValor gets threatened with IRS audits if he continues to foot the operation to go rescue some long-abandoned and left for dead POWs (amongst which is his and {{TheHero}}'s son). [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome His response]] [[ScrewMoneyIHaveRules is]] [[ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight a simple]] [[PrecisionFStrike "fuck you"]].

* In DannyPhantom, the AuditThreat was used several times by people representing the government. It got quick results in each instance.

!!Examples:

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* In the manga for ''{{Akira}}'', the military takes this UpToEleven. When the barman confidently produces his liquor license, the agent talking to him proceeds to ''burn'' it, informing the barman that of course he'll have to pass another inspection to get a new one...

[[folder:Film]]

-->'''Deckard:''' Did you ever see this girl?
-->'''Taffey:''' Never seen her. Buzz off.
-->'''Deckard:''' Your licenses in order, pal?
-->'''Taffey:''' [unimpressed] Hey, Louie. The man is dry. Give him one on the house, okay? See ya.
* In ''BeverlyHillsCop,'' Axel Foley is caught illegally searching for evidence; he pretends to be an inspector and threatens an employee who questions his authority with an IRS audit. The employee drops his objections.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

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* In ''{{Discworld}}'', [[MagnificentBastard Lord Vetinari]] mentions to a complaining guild that, incidentally, they were on the taxpayer register last he looked.
** By the time of ''{{Discworld/Snuff}}'', the City Watch has gained the power to use this threat thanks to A.E. Pessimal.

[[folder:TabletopGames]]

<<|CrimeAndPunishmentTropes|>>

* In Lindsey Davis's MarcusDidiusFalco book ''Time To Depart'', Falco and Petro are talking to the receptionist of a brothel (they were going to question her boss) when she offers them 'something special', a freeborn whore. Petro asks if the receptionist can show him the official she's registered with, and her registration number, after which she realises that they weren't there to score.

* Sidereals in TabletopGame/{{Exalted}} occasionally face this, as befits reality-protecting office-worker ninjas of the HeavenlyBureaucracy.

[[/folder

[[folder:TabletopGames]]
* Sidereals in TabletopGame/{{Exalted}} occasionally face this, as befits reality-protecting office-worker ninjas of the HeavenlyBureaucracy.

[[/folder]]]]

[[folder: Western Animation]]
* In DannyPhantom, the AuditThreat was used several times by people representing the government. It got quick results in each instance.

[[folder: Western Animation]]
* In DannyPhantom, the AuditThreat was used several times by people representing the government. It got quick results in each instance.
[[/folder]]

* In ''{{NCIS}}'', Tony or Gibbs also do this on occasions.

* ''BladeRunner''. Police officer Deckard is trying to get information from strip club owner Taffey Lewis.

* In ''BeverlyHillsCop,'' Axel Foley is caught illegally searching for evidence, he pretends to be an inspector and threatens an employee who questions his authority with an IRS audit. The employee drops his objections.

* In Lindsey Davis's book ''Time To Depart'', Falco and Petro are talking to the receptionist of a brothel (they were going to question her boss) when she offers them 'something special', a freeborn whore. Petro asks if the receptionist can show him the official she's registered with, and her registration number, after which she realises that they weren't there to score.
* In ''{{Discworld}}'', [[MagnificentBastard Lord Vetinari]] mentions to a complaining guild that, incidentally, they were on on the taxpayer register last he looked.

* Happens all the time on ''{{Law and Order}}''.

* In ''Beverly Hills Cop,'' Axel Foley is caught illegally searching for evidence, he pretends to be an inspector and threatens an employee who questions his authority with an IRS audit. The employee drops his objections.

* In [[Discworld Discworld]], [[MagnificentBastard Lord Vetinari]] mentions to a complaining guild that, incidentally, they were on on the taxpayer register last he looked.

* In [[Discworld]], [[MagnificentBastard Lord Vetinari]] mentions to a complaining guild that, incidentally, they were ot on the taxpayer register last he looked.