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ConsumersAdvocate.orgRating: 4 / 5 (Very good)
8 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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Based in California and founded in 2010, Optima Tax Relief provides tax liability investigation and resolution proposal, tax preparation, and tax settlement and negotiation services. The company employs on-premises licensed tax experts and has an A+ rating with the BBB. Optima Tax Relief's 700+ employees have over 25 years of experience in dealing with all IRS and State tax issues.
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How is Optima rated?
Breakdown
4.0/5
Proven Experience
4.0/5
Services Offered
4.0/5
Solid Reputation
4.0/5
Value and Guarantee
Overall Rating: 4 / 5 (Very good)
Optima Tax Relief is a great option for tax resolution services, not to mention for almost any other tax service you require. Although the company is not as old as some of the other firms we evaluate, it is well staffed by experienced and licensed CPAs, attorneys, and enrolled agents who have years of experience previous in negotiating with the IRS. Some employees actually have spent time working for the IRS as well. Optima's free consultation and 15-day money back guarantee are solid selling points, too. In that time frame, customers should be able to make a reasonable assessment about which path to go down for tax relief. Lastly, Optima has a significantly better-than-average reputation for customer service among tax relief firms. The company has won awards for ethical practices and customer satisfaction, including the Gold Stevie Award for Frontline Customer Service Team of the Year 2020.
Optima Services
Services Offered - 4 / 5
When compared to other tax relief entities we evaluate, Optima Tax Relief provides just about every service you could ask for when dealing with the IRS. The company is one of the largest and most successful tax resolution specialists in the country. Their tax professionals have the facility to pursue all options with the federal government, including installment plans, penalty abatement, offers in compromise, etc. While some of these options can be pursued by individuals without professional representation, Optima's staff has years of experience navigating the complex avenues of the IRS bureaucracy. They also identify their entire staff online, including management and all licensed tax professionals, sometimes even with links to LinkedIn profiles.
After an initial free consultation, the company charges $295 to begin its investigation phase. This, however, comes with a 15-day money back guarantee. If you choose to continue with its service, the fees Optima charges are completely determined by the specifics of your case.
Tax Relief Services
IRS Fresh Start | |
Non-Collectibles & Statute of Limitations | |
Delinquent Tax Return Filings | |
Free Consultation | |
Free Appeal | |
Wage Garnishment | |
Bank Levy | |
Payroll Tax Liability | |
Tax Planning | |
Corporation Formation | |
Estate Planning | |
Tax Court Litigation | |
Tax Reduction | |
Installment Plans | |
Postponement | |
Innocent Spouse Relief | |
Tax Lien Release | |
Tax Levy Release | |
Penalty Abatement | |
Offers in Compromise | |
Audit Representation |
State Tax Relief Services | Yes |
Free Consultation | Yes |
Free Appeal | No |
Customer Support Hours | Monday – Saturday from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. PST |
Contact Methods | Online Client Portal Phone Social Media |
Additional Services | Tax Preparation Litigation Tax Counseling Services Bookkeeping Tax Planning |
Optima Experience
Proven Experience - 4 / 5
Optima Tax Relief has resolved federal and state tax issues for thousands of clients. The company employs fully certified and licensed tax attorneys, enrolled agents, and certified public accountants who are able to deal with most tax resolution/settlement situations, including civil and criminal actions. Alongside membership with the NAEA and NATP, Optima has received several other accreditations and awards for service. They were named the #1 Financial Services Company by Inc. Magazine, and rated “5 Star” with Super Money. What's more, the company is approved by the IRS as a Continuing Education Provider (meaning they can provide continuing education for Enrolled Agents, Enrolled Retirement Plan Agents and other tax return preparers).
Year Founded | 2010 |
Personnel | Tax Attorney Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Enrolled Agent (EA) Former IRS Employee |
Memberships
- National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA)
- National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP)
Optima Reputation
Solid Reputation - 4 / 5
Optima Tax Relief has an A+ rating with the BBB and a impressive number of positive reviews when compared to other tax relief providers. The company was also the recipient of the BBB's Torch Award for Ethics for 2017. The BBB awards this prize to companies that "demonstrate the best practices, leadership, social responsibility and high standards of organizational ethics that benefit their customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and communities." Optima Tax Relief earns a "Great" 4.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Optima Tax Relief also received an “A” Rating With Business Consumer Alliance. Considering the ethical reputation of tax relief services as a whole, this is quite an impressive achievement.
BBB Rating | A+ |
Number of BBB Positive Reviews | 2 |
Number of BBB Negative Reviews | 177 |
Trust Pilot Rating | 4.4 out of 5 |
Date Collected | 2022-03-01 |
Company Profile
Full Name | Optima Tax Relief |
Company Website | |
Headquarters | 3100 S Harbor Blvd, Santa Ana, CA, 92704 |
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8 Customer Comments & Reviews
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dmnunez57
12/16/2021
#Big D I paid Optima tax 495.00 to start phase 1 and provided all the necessary documentation as they requested . Be aware of the 15 day money back guarantee. The companies representative didn't get back to me till well after the 15 days with the results, so that voided the guarantee. After hearing what the fee would be to continue Phase 2 which was a ridiculously high and the fact that this Fee would only cover the companies fee and nothing towards what was owed to the IRS. or even set up an installment agreement on your behalf. I decided not to hire this company for my IRS debt consolidation for the reasons I would rather pay this ridiculous fee charged towards my debt My... Read More
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Sandra R
9/10/2021
I went from $16,000 in debt to $24,000 in debt because of penalties and interest. I went through OptimaTax for help with the debt. I paid them $3500. They saved me $255. I should have paid the $3500 to the IRS instead of OptimaTax. They did nothing to help. Now, two years later with a payment plan, I have lost my file and have spent 2 months trying to get copies. Two emails and 7 calls have not been answered. They did nothing that I couldn’t have done myself.
mmileski47
9/8/2021
I paid optima tax to help me and the only thing they helped me with was taking money out my bank and did nothing. I was told they would handle everything and i wouldnt have to talk to IRS they would handle. I hadnt heard from them for a long time and finely got phone call asking me how much i could pay IRS a month, didnt say how much just how much i could pay. i told them how much and she said she would get back to me. Never heard from the no phone call or letter. I finely got a notice from IRS say I owed them $600 dollars more the what i owed them before paying Optima Tax to settle what I owed IRS. I never receive Phone call or letter from them telling me my status with IRS. What I paid... Read More
originalriser100
8/25/2021
Very pleased with Optima. I received free advice that solved my issue immediately. Very helpful people.
J
Jeremy S
3/17/2021
I love how Optima Tax Relief helps their Clients. Not only are they great at serving the Client, but they are also very knowledgeable when it comes to Tax Relief. I know in 2021, there will be a lot of people struggling with taxes. Hopefully, that will bring Optima much more business and much more recognition. Thanks,-Dan
J
Jose
12/1/2020
I signed up over a year ago under the pressure of the sales agent stating that the IRS are legal bandits and would come at me with everything if I didn't hire them them, so a year later and $8700.00 dollars less in my bank I'm still in square one, nothing has really been done the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing at all, nobody takes any responsibly in assisting me they simply state that they are doing everything they could, well like I said it's been over a year now and they have done absolutely NOTHING , OH WAIT THEY DID THEY TOOK A WHOLE FUC&EN YEAR AND $8700 DOLLARS FROM ME. THIS IS A SCAM, STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY THEY WILL STEAL YOU TIME AND MONEY. I am... Read More
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Paul S
7/17/2019
Called n had a free consultation. I live off grid in NM n was corresponding with agent when he told me that he thought that was singing him a song. Then started that he didn't believe Optima would be a good choice and I respectfully agree!!!!!!
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Ashley
10/17/2018
The guy that I spoke with was very rude when I was asking questions and told me that I couldn’t afford their services because I couldn’t pay for the service until I got paid. When the reason that we come to them anyway is because we need help paying down the tax bill. That was very rude and I don’t do business with companies saying they are here to help people but are really all about the money in the long run. Look for ways to help instead of making rude comments about a persons finances.
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- Tax solutions for consumers with over $10k in owed taxes
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FAQs
2023 Optima Reviews: Tax Relief? ›
They have an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,924 reviews on Trustpilot and have an A+ rating with the BBB with an average rating of 4.36 out of 5 stars from over 2,000 Customer reviews.
How much does it cost to use Optima Tax Relief? ›Optima Tax Relief features to know
After that, you'll pay about $295 for the company to diagnose the size and nature of your specific problem. What comes after that is less certain in terms of price — fees range from $995 to $5,000 on average and vary case by case.
Working with Optima Tax Relief will not hurt your credit. Late payment of taxes and setting up tax payment plans do not impact your credit. Even tax liens are no longer included in credit reports, so they can't hurt your credit score.
Do tax relief services really work? ›Do tax relief companies really work? Yes, legitimate tax professionals can help you lower your tax debt or get on an affordable payment plan. However, there are companies that will just take your money without providing much value.
How much will the IRS usually settle for? ›How much will the IRS settle for? The IRS will typically only settle for what it deems you can feasibly pay. To determine this, it will take into account your assets (home, car, etc.), your income, your monthly expenses (rent, utilities, child care, etc.), your savings, and more.
Does the IRS really have a fresh start program? ›The Fresh Start program is open to any taxpayer who owes taxes and is struggling to pay them. There are no income requirements. The first step in applying for the IRS Fresh Start program is to contact your tax attorneys or accountants and see if you qualify.
Can I negotiate my IRS debt? ›An offer in compromise allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. It may be a legitimate option if you can't pay your full tax liability or doing so creates a financial hardship.
Does Optima Tax Relief have a money back guarantee? ›Guarantee Disclaimer
Optima Tax Relief, LLC (“OTR”) will refund monies paid under the OTR Client Agreement within the first 15 calendar days without any penalty or obligation.
Refundable vs.
Some taxpayers who aren't required to file may still want to do so to claim refundable tax credits. Not all tax credits are refundable, however. For nonrefundable tax credits, once a taxpayer's liability is zero, the taxpayer won't get any leftover amount back as a refund.
It feels great to have your debt settled, canceled or forgiven, but you should be aware that there are tax implications of debt settlement. Settled debt is considered income by the IRS, so you'll have to pay income taxes on the forgiven amount. Creditors will send you a 1099-C form if the amount is greater than $600.
What is the tax forgiveness program 2023? ›
What is the IRS Forgiveness Program? 2023 Updates. Certain taxpayers in the United States who cannot afford to pay their tax liability due to financial hardship may qualify for tax debt relief under the IRS Forgiveness Program.
Is there a one time tax forgiveness? ›One-time forgiveness, otherwise known as penalty abatement, is an IRS program that waives any penalties facing taxpayers who have made an error in filing an income tax return or paying on time. This program isn't for you if you're notoriously late on filing taxes or have multiple unresolved penalties.
Who qualifies for the IRS Fresh Start Program? ›To be eligible for the Fresh Start Program, you must meet one of the following criteria: You're self-employed and had a drop in income of at least 25% You're single and have an income of less than $100,000. You're married and have an income of less than $200,000.
What is the 2023 IRS Fresh Start Program? ›What is the IRS Fresh Start Program? The IRS Fresh Start Program is designed to help taxpayers who have accumulated a substantial federal tax debt that exceeds their capacity to pay. By applying and meeting eligibility criteria, taxpayers can substantially decrease their outstanding federal tax liabilities.
Does IRS forgive tax debt after 10 years? ›Yes, after 10 years, the IRS forgives tax debt.
After this time period, the tax debt is considered "uncollectible". However, it is important to note that there are certain circumstances, such as bankruptcy or certain collection activities, which may extend the statute of limitations.
The general rule regarding taxability of amounts received from settlement of lawsuits and other legal remedies is Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 61. This section states all income is taxable from whatever source derived, unless exempted by another section of the code.
What is the downside of IRS payment plan? ›What Are the Cons of the IRS Payment Plan? The cons of the IRS payment plan and installment agreement tend to be the penalties and interest tacked onto the debt. The penalties accumulate every month that you still owe a debt, which means you'll pay more than you initially owed.
What happens if I owe the IRS and can't pay? ›Taxpayers who owe but cannot pay in full by April 18 don't have to wait for a tax bill to set up a payment plan. They can apply for a payment plan at IRS.gov/paymentplan. These plans can be either short- or long-term.
Who qualifies for IRS forgiveness? ›To be eligible for the forgiveness program, taxpayers must demonstrate that they can't fully repay their taxes due to financial hardship. Hardship could include job loss, illness, or disability.
What is the best way to eliminate IRS debt? ›The best way to pay off tax debt to the IRS is to make payments in full. While there are other payment strategies, paying in full ensures quick resolution. Paying with installment plans, offer in compromise, and personal loans are other ways to pay off tax debt without full remittance.
Do you need a lawyer to negotiate with IRS? ›
Tax attorney Beverly Winstead says there are many aspects of negotiating with the IRS you can do yourself, but there are some situations where a professional can help.
Can I ask the IRS to forgive my debt? ›The IRS offers a debt forgiveness program for taxpayers who meet certain qualifications. To be eligible, you must claim extreme financial hardship and have filed all previous tax returns. The program is available to certain people only, so be sure to check if you qualify.
Are IRS payment plans expensive? ›Fees for IRS installment plans
If you can pay off your balance within 180 days, it won't cost you anything to set up an installment plan. If you cannot pay off your balance within 180 days, setting up a direct debit payment plan online will cost $31, or $107 if set up by phone, mail, or in-person using Form 9465.
The IRS offers a debt forgiveness program for taxpayers who meet certain qualifications. To be eligible, you must claim extreme financial hardship and have filed all previous tax returns. The program is available to certain people only, so be sure to check if you qualify.
Does debt relief affect your taxes? ›In general, if you have cancellation of debt income because your debt is canceled, forgiven, or discharged for less than the amount you must pay, the amount of the canceled debt is taxable and you must report the canceled debt on your tax return for the year the cancellation occurs.
How much does US tax shield cost? ›US Tax Shield doesn't publish pricing on its website, as there is no price chart that applies to every case. However, fees typically start around $1,000 and average about $4,000. You need a minimum of $10,000 in back taxes to work with US Tax Shield.