10 Best Tax Relief Companies to Appease the IRS in 2022

Over 11 million Americans owe back taxes, and all indications point to that number growing in the future. If you’re here, chances are you’re one of them, and you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a list of the best tax relief companies operating right now that can help you negotiate with the IRS.

We ranked them based on things like their: 

  • accreditations
  • fees
  • minimum debt
  • independent ratings

Right below, you’ll find a handy table where we summarized all their top features.

Tax Relief Companies: Top 10 Picks with Features

 

1. Tax Defense Network


Best Overall

  • Can help with any tax issue
  • English- and Spanish-speaking tax pros
  • Free consultation
  • Works with businesses and individuals
star10
 

 

2. CuraDebt Systems


Best for Comprehensive Debt Settlement

  • Broad debt resolution services
  • Flat rate quoted during consultation
  • Free consultation
  • Extremely positive customer reviews
star9.9
 
 

3. Optima Tax Relief


Best for a Big Tax Bill

  • Free consultation
  • Excellent mobile app
  • Dedicated case manager
  • Nationally recognized brand
star9.8
 

4. Community Tax


Best Licensed Professionals

  • Relatively low discovery fees
  • Dedicated case manager
  • Also offers accounting services
  • Tax assurance program
star9.6
 

5. Anthem Tax Services


Best Money-Back Guarantee

  • Outstanding customer testimonials
  • Money-back guarantee
  • Focused only on tax issues
  • Widely accredited
star9.5
 

6. Legacy Tax & Resolution Services


Best for People Who Need a Turnkey Tax Solution

  • Wide range of tax services
  • Fee financing
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee
  • Continued monitoring after the resolution
star9.4
 

7. Fidelity Tax Relief


Best White-Glove Support

  • Expert help
  • Proven track record for complaint resolution
  • Money-back guarantee
  • Flat fee
star9.3
 

8. Jackson Hewitt


Cheapest Tax Debt Relief for Most Cases

  • Well-known national brand
  • A team of experts works your case
  • Money-back guarantee
  • Relatively low price
star9.2
 

9. Fortress Tax Relief


Best for Small Business Owners

  • Hourly price model
  • Lawyers personally handle cases
  • Works with federal and state tax
  • Customer service guarantee
star9.1
 
 

10. Precision Tax Relief


Best Money-Back Guarantee

  • Highly experienced professionals
  • Excellent customer service
  • Money-back guarantee
  • No hidden fees
star9.0
 

10 Expert Reviews of Tax Relief Companies

1. Tax Defense Network


star10

Best Overall

  • BBB rating: 4.48
  • Accreditations: None
  • Minimum tax debt: $2,500
  • Guarantee: None
 

 


Overview — Not a single company on this list is perfect for every given situation. However, the one that comes closest for most people on this list is Tax Defense Network. For starters, it offers bilingual service in English and Spanish.  

Full-service company — Tax Defense Network can work with the IRS in just about any capacity to manage your tax debt and other tax hurdles. Some companies specialize in only one or two areas, yet this one offers comprehensive tax relief help. 

Whether you want to seek a tax settlement, debt forgiveness, or another type of negotiated tax reduction, Tax Defense Network will come through. 

Tax assistance — Moreover, the company isn’t restricted to only debt relief services; it also offers assistance with:

  • Unfiled returns
  • Delinquent taxes
  • Penalties wage garnishment 
  • Tax preparation.

You can even ask for help if you’re undergoing a tax audit. The professionals at Tax Defense Network can help you identify and prepare the best tax relief programs to suit your needs.

The one drawback is that it’s not cheap, and prices vary based on your situation’s complexity. The consultations are free, but there’s only so much you can learn before the company delves into your tax data, and that will require a monetary commitment.


Pros

  • + Can help with any tax issue
  • + English- and Spanish-speaking tax pros
  • + Free consultation
  • + Works with businesses and individuals

Cons

  • − Not the most affordable option around

2. CuraDebt Systems


star9.9

Best for Comprehensive Debt Settlement

  • BBB rating: 4.95
  • Accreditations: IAPDA, AFCC
  • Minimum tax debt: $5,000
  • Guarantee: None
 

 


Overview — CuraDebt does the duty of a tax relief center alongside its other services. The company specializes in debt settlement services, and tax debt is just a tiny part of that portfolio. 

That doesn’t mean it won’t do an excellent job on your tax debt relief, but it does mean that the only services you can expect revolve around debt. If you need more general tax services, such as wage garnishment resolution, CuraDebt won’t be able to help. 

Debt specialists — As a company that specializes in debt, CuraDebt is a prime choice when you’re dealing with other forms of debt in addition to needing tax relief help. Getting all your debt resolved by the same company might make things easier to track and manage. 

That said, the company explicitly states that they don’t guarantee any specific debt reduction or tax resolution. Moreover, it doesn’t seem to have a solid money-back or refund policy. 

CuraDebt states that it only earns fees based on the “results of the program” it chooses for your debt resolution. Still, it’s a bit unclear as to how that relates to tax relief since the company’s primary business is unsecured debt relief. 

Moreover, while the company claims to have a written refund policy, it doesn’t clearly state its policy online. 

Despite these shortcomings, it’s still one of the best-rated tax relief companies by consumers on the BBB website, so it’s worth contacting them.


Pros

  • + Broad debt resolution services
  • + Flat rate quoted during consultation
  • + Free consultation
  • + Extremely positive customer reviews

Cons

  • − Poor online presence

3. Optima Tax Relief


star9.8

Best for a Big Tax Bill

  • BBB rating: 4.65
  • Accreditations: BBB accredited, NATP member
  • Minimum tax debt: $10,000
  • Guarantee: 15-day money back
 

Overview — Optima Tax Relief is the biggest brand in the tax debt relief space and has been in business for about a decade. It offers tax relief, resolution, and settlement services in all 50 states and has a reputation for coming through for its customers. 

You should know right out of the gate that this is the best tax relief company for serious debt. It is not meant for frivolous complaints to the IRS. In other words, you’ll need a minimum tax debt of $10,000 for Optima to even consider your case. 

Nevertheless, people who meet that requirement usually find that Optima offers good value for money. 

Free consultation — Your relationship with Optima starts with a free consultation where you’ll learn what the company can do to help you and what the next steps are. Many Optima Tax Relief reviews from customers cite its employees’ robust professionalism and accessibility. 

Once the consultation is complete and you decide to work with Optima, the company will start the discovery phase to learn the extent of your problem with the IRS. This process will cost you $495. Only then will Optima be able to tell you how much the final fee will be. 

Dedicated case manager — Another contributor to making Optima one of the best IRS tax relief firms is assigning a dedicated case manager to every client. The case manager will act as your liaison to the entire team of tax professionals working on your case.


Pros

  • + Free consultation
  • + Excellent mobile app
  • + Dedicated case manager
  • + Nationally recognized brand

Cons

  • − Limited recourse if IRS denies your request

4. Community Tax


star9.6

Best Licensed Professionals

  • BBB rating: 4.39
  • Accreditations: BBB accredited, Consumer Affairs Accredited partner
  • Minimum tax debt: $5,000
  • Guarantee: Full refund for services not rendered
 

 


Overview — Community Tax is another highly successful tax debt relief company with glowing reviews from consumer advocacy groups. It offers both bookkeeping and accounting services, as well as tax resolution. Of course, tax relief is the lion’s share of the company’s business. 

The company can work fully remotely if need be, so you’ll never have to meet with anyone in person. Moreover, it states that only people with a law license, a CPA, or an EA designation will negotiate with the IRS on behalf of its clients. In other words, you can rest assured a knowledgeable pro is handling your case. 

In-depth consultation — Like many other tax debt relief options, Community Tax offers free consultations. Unlike most of the competition, though, there is no time limitation on the initial consultation. 

You can speak with an agent for as long as you need and ask whatever questions you want to make sure you understand all the process details. 

Tax assurance program — Community Tax sets itself apart from other tax debt relief services with a preventive program that can help you root out potential tax problems before they reach a point of no return. 

It has a free tier and two paid tiers. On the free tier, you receive things like IRS account alerts and tax account monitoring. The paid levels give much more comprehensive support, including priority servicing, annual tax returns, wage garnishment investigations, etc.


Pros

  • + Relatively low discovery fees
  • + Dedicated case manager
  • + Also offers accounting services
  • + Tax assurance program

Cons

  • − Resolution services are a bit pricey
  • − Case manager different from representative

5. Anthem Tax Services


star9.5

Best Money-Back Guarantee

  • BBB rating: 3.91
  • Accreditations: BBB, NATP, NAEA, CTEC
  • Minimum tax debt: $5,000
  • Guarantee: 100% money-back guarantee
 

 


Overview — Anthem Tax Services has a relatively basic value proposition. It doesn’t stray too far from the mold except in one important aspect. Namely, if you’re not better-off when they finish negotiating your taxes, they’ll refund the money you’ve paid for the services. 

That policy is a nice assurance, but a sober look will reveal that it’s not outlandish. The IRS is generally willing to work with people who have trouble paying their taxes, so there’s little to no chance that you won’t be able to reach some sort of arrangement. 

Great reviews — Tax debt relief company reviews from customers don’t get much better than this. Customer testimonials even include people who cite exorbitant figures that Anthem has helped them with. 

Single focus — Anthem does taxes and not much else. It works on most tax debt relief types, primarily with a few ancillary services also relating to taxes. 

If you’re in the market for a wide-ranging set of services, you won’t get it from Anthem. But, the single-minded approach makes the company exceptionally efficient at tax relief. 

Overall, a sterling reputation and the comfort of numerous industry accreditations earned Anthem a spot on our list of top tax debt relief services.


Pros

  • + Outstanding customer testimonials
  • + Money-back guarantee
  • + Focused only on tax issues
  • + Widely accredited

Cons

  • − It doesn’t do much to help you understand underlying tax issues

6. Legacy Tax & Resolution Services


star9.4

Best for People Who Need a Turnkey Tax Solution

  • BBB rating: 3.00
  • Accreditations: BBB
  • Minimum tax debt: N/A
  • Guarantee: 100% Satisfaction guarantee
 

 

 

Overview — Of all the tax relief services reviews listed here, Legacy is probably the most comprehensive of the lot. It offers not only tax debt relief but also an entire host of tax-related and financial services. 

Some of the services Legacy offers may be complementary when it comes to resolving your tax issues. But even if they’re not, it’s an excellent company to work with whenever you run into trouble with the IRS, as well as to prevent that trouble from ever occurring in the first place. 

Tax problem resolution — Legacy gives in-depth support for a wide range of issues that include:

  • Tax debt relief  
  • Criminal tax defense
  • Wage garnishments resolution
  • Tax levy resolution
  • Bankruptcy tax relief
  • Lien release
  • State tax audit representation

In short, if you have a tax-related problem, there’s a good chance the professionals at Legacy can help you deal with it. 

Fee financing — Although it’s not clear what the fees are for its services, Legacy does its best to accommodate customers with financing plans. Third-party lending partners finance the plan, and it requires only a soft credit check. 

Legacy’s glaring departure from convention is in the high fees it charges for discovery. To formulate a plan of action based on your finances, Legacy charges $1,000, or $500 for discovery and $600 for financial analysis if paid separately.


Pros

  • + Wide range of tax services
  • + Fee financing
  • + 100% satisfaction guarantee
  • + Continued monitoring after the resolution

Cons

  • − Expensive

7. Fidelity Tax Relief


star9.3

Best White-Glove Support

  • BBB rating: 2.43
  • Accreditations: BBB. NATP
  • Minimum tax debt: N/A
  • Guarantee: 10-day money-back guarantee
 

 


Overview — Fidelity Tax Relief doesn’t make much of an effort to compete based on best tax relief programs. It focuses mainly on a small number of tax problems and offers a limited number of solutions to those problems. However, they’re good ones and fully transparent.

If you need the help they provide, know that Fidelity is a reliable company that maintains a reputation for being upfront and honest with its customers. 

Fidelity will make you a flat-fee offer once your case is established. A flat fee is beneficial because you can never be sure what the IRS will demand from you. If you have to pay for each submission individually, that can rack up quite a bit in no time at all. 

Limited solutions — Fidelity will work with the IRS to furnish you with one of the following resolutions:

  • Offer in compromise
  • Currently not collectible
  • An installment agreement
  • Penalty abatement 

Note that you can request an installment agreement from the IRS yourself without much fuss. So it’s essentially three options. In addition to those, Fidelity also offers tax audit representation and lien or levy removal.

That’s fewer solutions than some of the best IRS tax relief companies, but one of those options will be the ideal choice for most cases and at this rate.


Pros

  • + Expert help
  • + Proven track record for complaint resolution
  • + Money-back guarantee
  • + Flat fee

Cons

  • − Relatively few services overall

8. Jackson Hewitt


star9.2

Cheapest Tax Debt Relief for Most Cases

  • BBB rating: 1.25
  • Accreditations: BBB
  • Minimum tax debt: N/A
  • Guarantee: 30-day money-back guarantee during the discovery phase
 

 

 

Overview — Jackson Hewitt is one of the tax industry’s heavy hitters in the same category as H&R Block and other major national brands. With over 6,000 nationwide locations, there’s a good chance a Jackson Hewitt agent is just a short drive away. 

Observing it as a tax debt relief company, we believe it is comparable to the top players. 

One of its defining features is the personalized support it gives customers. Working with Jackson Hewitt, you’ll have a dedicated case manager who likely has a CPA or EA and a resolution manager, all of whom have a CPA, EA, or law degree. 

Moreover, if you want more assistance, a legal team will go over your resolution with a fine-tooth comb to root out any inconsistencies. 

Flat fee — Like most others on this list, Jackson Hewitt offers free consultations. Once the initial consultation is complete, the company will provide an upfront price before starting the process, and it promises no hidden fees.

Fair pricing — Jackson Hewitt’s discovery prices are in line with other tax relief programs, but its resolution prices are on the low end. The company claims the average resolution ends up costing customers around $1,400.

As a final note, do keep in mind that Jackson Hewitt’s dismal BBB rating is much more a result of its tax preparation services.


Pros

  • + Well-known national brand
  • + A team of experts works your case
  • + Money-back guarantee
  • + Relatively low price

Cons

  • − Poor BBB rating
  • − Mostly focuses on tax preparation

9. Fortress Tax Relief


star9.1

Best for Small Business Owners

  • BBB rating: 4.82
  • Accreditations: BBB
  • Minimum tax debt: $15,000
  • Guarantee: Customer service guarantee
 

 


Overview — Fortress Tax Relief has an hourly-based pricing model, which is not entirely unheard of, but it is unique to this list.    

However, it can mean significant savings for a business with tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars owed in back taxes; a debt of $5,000 doesn’t take any longer to resolve than a $50,000 debt.

Business experts — On top of favorable pricing for businesses, the company claims to make a concerted effort toward creating a custom solution for small business owners. The solution fits with the customer’s tax needs but also business values and objectives. 

Qualified attorneys — Few, if any of the best tax relief services listed here guarantee that your case will be handled personally by licensed attorneys, but Fortress does. Fortress makes it clear that one of its tax resolution attorneys handles every single case. 

If you’re not a fan of case managers who work separately from the person representing you, Fortress is an ideal choice for you. 

Despite the top-notch tax relief help, the company falls short in terms of accreditation. It doesn’t belong to any relevant industry organization. Moreover, it doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee.


Pros

  • + Hourly price model
  • + Lawyers personally handle cases
  • + Works with federal and state tax
  • + Customer service guarantee

Cons

  • − No money-back guarantee
  • − Only BBB accredited

10. Precision Tax Relief


star9.0

Best Money-Back Guarantee

  • BBB rating: 4.91
  • Accreditations and memberships: BBB, NAEA, ASTPS, AICPA
  • Minimum tax debt: N/A
  • Guarantee: 30-day money-back guarantee
 

 


Overview — Precision Tax Relief has been in the business for over 50 years. It has everything you’d need from any of the best IRS tax relief companies — it handles settlements, payroll tax issues, tax liens, wage garnishments, etc. And to top it off, most reviews cite reasonable prices from Precision. 

The only thing that is a bit worrying is the lack of tax audit representation. It ruins what would otherwise be a full-service tax resolution company. 

Flat all-inclusive fee — Once discovery is complete, Precision will give you an estimate that covers the entire resolution process, so you won’t have to worry about additional fees cropping up.

Widely accredited — The company has clearly put a lot of time into memberships and accreditations at all the relevant organizations. It’s a member of the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers, the National Association of Enrolled Agents, and the American Institute of CPAs.


Pros

  • + Highly experienced professionals
  • + Excellent customer service
  • + Money-back guarantee
  • + No hidden fees

Cons

  • − Doesn’t do tax audit representation

How to Use This List of the Tax Relief Companies

– Brief Buyer’s Guide – 

The foundational concept you need to keep in mind is that a tax relief company can’t do anything that you can’t do yourself. If you want free tax debt relief, you can definitely get it by representing yourself before the IRS.

Still, the same way you’d be well-advised to hire an attorney for a trial, sometimes it’s a good idea to get professional help if your debt has gotten out of hand. Hence the following instructions.

What to Ask a Tax Relief Company

Most good tax relief companies offer a free consultation. During that initial conversation, you’ll want to get answers to the following questions:

How much will the tax relief service cost?

You want to get a full fee disclosure right out of the gate. Trustworthy tax relief companies will often tell you they can’t give you an estimate before going through the initial phases of disclosure, but they should be able to provide you with a pretty good idea of what to expect. Always insist on getting your money’s worth, even after having read all those glorifying consumer reports.

Who will work on your case?

Often, your case manager will be different from the person representing you before the IRS. That’s not a deal-breaker, but you should know precisely who will be representing you, and if possible, ask to have direct contact with that person. As an aside, only enrolled agents, CPAs, or attorneys can represent clients to the IRS.

What if I get rejected?

Truth be told, there is no 100% guarantee, not even if you choose a company from the reputable tax relief companies’ reviews above. No reputable company can guarantee that the IRS will accept your proposal.

Demand to know what that policy is if the company can’t come through on its claims. The tax relief industry is a minefield of nonrefundable fees. 

Accreditations Matter

As a general rule of thumb, professional organizations rely on their members’ good standing to maintain their reputations. Hence, it’s fair to assume that if a company is widely accredited or a member of several organizations, it’s doing something right.

Some notable examples include:

  • The Better Business Bureau — BBB tax relief services are accredited, but the bar for accreditation is low. Make sure you check the BBB rating as well as customer ratings and reviews.
  • American Association of Tax Problem Solvers (AATPS)
  • National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA)
  • American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)
  • National Society of Tax Professionals (NSTP)
  • National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) 

Solutions to Outstanding Tax Debt

The IRS offers several tax relief programs if you’re unable to afford your tax debt. 

Most people will qualify for one of them. A company promising a different kind of arrangement should be ready to explain precisely how and why you would be eligible. 

Installment Agreement

The most common tax form of tax relief involves a simple installment plan to pay your tax debt in equal installments over a set period. If you owe less than $10,000 in tax, it’s unlikely that the IRS will reject a payment plan request if your tax and the application are in order. 

Offer in Compromise

This program allows you to settle your tax debt without paying the full amount. Only the most successful tax relief companies will advertise this type of tax relief to people and succeed in getting it done since it is the least likely to be approved. You’ll need to show good cause to have your tax debt forgiven.

Note that participating in bankruptcy proceedings excludes you from qualifying for an offer in compromise. 

Temporarily Delay Collection

If you’re in dire straits financially, you can ask the IRS to give you more time to pay. Essentially, this means you don’t have to pay any taxes until your financial situation improves.

Penalty Abatement

If the IRS has penalized you for failing to meet tax obligations, you may be able to get the penalty abated or removed. To do so, you’ll need to show reasonable cause as to why you didn’t meet tax obligations, and it helps if you have a good track record for paying taxes on time and in full. 

Pay Attention to Tax Relief Company Reviews

This advice is true for most services but even more valid when it comes to tax relief companies. They are a great way to gain insight into the company, its practices, and its success rate. 

Customer review sites such as Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and Consumer Reports are excellent places to start (besides our own, of course). Also, it could do you good to check how you may avoid paying for taxes altogether.

Just remember always to judge the best IRS tax relief firms based on at least these three things:

  1. How transparent they are about their fees.
  2. How it determines which tax relief program you’re eligible for.
  3. Whether you’ll work with a CPA, enrolled agent, or a tax attorney.

COVID-19 and Tax Relief

Be aware that tax relief rules have changed significantly in light of the pandemic, and what was valid even a few months ago may not be the same today. Before you accept and program from a tax relief company, check to see any new developments from the IRS regarding tax relief.  

Conclusion

It’s impossible to know with certainty whether the IRS will accept any proposal to grant tax relief. To give yourself the best chance at success, it may be wise to work with professionals who know the process and can help guide you through it. 

For this reason, if you’re unsure of your skills and following IRS instructions to the fullest, looking for a  “tax relief center” should pay off. Especially, as they are as near as can be — right in front of you, in the online world.

FAQs

Do those tax relief companies really work?

For the most part, yes. Highly-rated tax companies will be able to reach a compromise with the IRS on your behalf. 

Bear in mind most tax relief companies don’t come cheap, so you should only use them if you:

a) have a substantial amount of debt and 

b) aren’t confident or willing to deal with the IRS directly. 

How much does a tax relief company charge?

On average, between $200 and $750 for discovery fees, or $1,000 and $5,000 for resolution fees. 

Fees vary widely in the tax relief industry, and they’re typically divided into two parts. 

Discovery fees cover the work of going over your taxes and concretely establishing the best plan of action for you. These are usually non-refundable, ranging between $200 and $750 on average. 

Resolution fees cover the work of representing you before the IRS. They might be fully or partially refundable and usually range between $1,000 and $5,000. 

How do I get my IRS tax debt forgiven?

Try the so-called “offer in compromise.” 

In short, an offer in compromise means the IRS agrees to collect less than what you owe. It’s challenging to qualify for, but the IRS publishes a full guide for how to apply for an offer in compromise. There may be some options under extenuating circumstances to have your debt partially forgiven.

How much does it cost to use Optima Tax Relief?

To initiate the tax relief process with Optima costs $495 in discovery fees. Discovery is the phase in which the company looks over your tax documents to determine the extent of your problem. 

From there, most customers end up paying anywhere between $1,000 and $4,000 in resolution fees. 

What is the best tax relief company?

Optima is unequivocally the most popular tax relief company in the nation. It has the broadest reach and boasts the most significant customer base in the industry. 

That doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best for you, though. Some of the other best tax relief companies include Tax Defense Network (which is our top pick) and Community Tax, which guarantees you’ll work with a licensed professional throughout your tax resolution.

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