The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word DUTY
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
D
U
T
Y
More clues leading to the result DUTY
- Old-fashioned, overlooking small charge
- Perk for those departing, relieved of responsibility
- Required tax limit
- Tax link limits university with firm obligation
- Tax record taken from subordinate
- Responsibility for tax
- Tax burden
- Service charge levied on alcohol?
- Doubt even members ignored youth leader’s job
- Tax office
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Responsibility/tax" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case responsibility/tax = duty.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DUTY mean?
DUTY noun- That which one is morally or legally obligated to do.
- The state of being at work and responsible for or doing a particular task.
- A tax placed on imports or exports; a tariff.
- One's due, something one is owed; a debt or fee.
- Respect; reverence; regard; act of respect; homage.
- The efficiency of an engine, especially a steam pumping engine, as measured by work done by a certain quantity of fuel; usually, the number of pounds of water lifted one foot by one bushel of coal (94 lbs. old standard), or by 1 cwt. (112 lbs., England, or 100 lbs., United States).