Best Tax Relief Companies for 2026: Top Picks, Costs and What To Know

shapecharge / iStock.com

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

Whether your tax debt came as a surprise or you simply couldn’t pay your full tax bill, help is available. Tax resolution companies, or tax debt relief firms, work with taxpayers to reduce the burden of unpaid taxes through payment plans and other relief options.

Tax Relief Companies: At a Glance

Here are the best tax relief companies and how they stack up against each other: 

Top Picks for Best Tax Relief Companies 2026

Here’s a closer look at the pros, cons, features and fees of the best tax relief companies.

Precision Tax Relief

Precision Tax Relief has settled more than $58 million in tax debt and offers a flat-free price quote with no hidden fees or additional costs. It’s also accredited by the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS) and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).

Tax Defense Network 

Tax Defense Network is accredited by multiple tax agencies and holds an A+ rating with the BBB. They have resolved more than $17 billion in tax debt since 2007.

Larson Tax Relief

Larson Tax Relief has been serving taxpayers since 2005, offering emergency and long-term tax relief. The company has an A+ rating with the BBB. Larson offers a free consultation to see if they can help you.

Alleviate Tax

Alleviate Tax is based in California and serves taxpayers nationwide. They are accredited by the BBB and are members of the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) and ASTPS. The company has resolved more than $500 million of tax debt.

Optima Tax Relief

Optima Tax Relief is accredited by the BBB and the NATP. They are also approved as an IRS Continuing Education (CE) provider. Optima offers a free consultation and a 15-day money-back guarantee during the investigation phase of their tax relief services.

Anthem Tax Services

Anthem Tax Services is accredited by both the NATP, the NAEA, the BBB and Consumer Affairs. The company offers a money-back guarantee in the form of returning any fees you pay them if they should fail to alter your IRS tax repayment schedule.

What a Tax Relief Company Can and Can’t Do

Tax relief companies are highly regulated, and there are rules on what they can and cannot do. 

What Tax Relief Companies Can Do

• Talk to the IRS on your behalf: If you sign a power of attorney, the tax relief company can negotiate and discuss your situation with the IRS. 
• Help you evaluate which option is best for you: Tax relief companies can help you choose between an offer in compromise, an installment agreement or a penalty abatement. 
• Pause collections: If you enter into certain programs, the tax relief company can get the IRS to stop a wage garnishment or bank levy. 
• Aid in paperwork: You can get help with filling out complex paperwork. 

What Tax Relief Companies Cannot Do

• Alter IRS rules: They cannot change the IRS rules — you have to meet IRS guidelines. 
• Promise a settlement: Only the IRS can dictate what you owe. A tax relief company cannot promise to reduce your debt. 
• Guarantee legal privilege: Conversations with you and the tax relief company are not privileged. Your conversations can be subpoenaed. 
• Cannot represent you in tax court: Only a licensed tax attorney can represent you in tax court. 

5 Options To Try Before Paying a Company

You don’t have to reach out to a tax relief company first — instead, you could deal directly with the IRS. If you reach out, here’s what the IRS may offer:

• Payment plan: If you can’t pay your balance in full, the IRS may set up a payment plan. 
• Offer in compromise: You can settle your debt for less than you owe if you can prove a hardship. 
• Currently not collectible status: The IRS may pause collections if it determines that paying for your taxes would prevent you from covering essential living expenses. 
• Penalty abatement: The IRS can remove certain penalties if you can prove that you have a reasonable cause, such as illness or disease. If it’s the first time you’ve received a penalty, the penalty may be abated. 
• Appeal: You can request an IRS appeal if you disagree with their decision. 

Tax Relief Company Costs and Fees

Tax relief services can be expensive, so it’s important to weigh the cost against the complexity of your situation.

Typical costs may include:

• Free initial consultation
• Evaluation and setup fees ranging from $500 to $2,000
• Full case representation that can cost several thousand dollars
• Attorney fees that may range from $150 to $500 per hour
• Complex cases that can reach $10,000 or more

A Tax Relief Company May Be Worth It If

• You’re dealing with multiple years of back taxes.
• You’ve received wage garnishments, bank levies or tax liens.
• You’ve received audit notices or complex IRS correspondence.
• Your tax situation is too complex to manage on your own.
• You’re uncomfortable communicating directly with the IRS.

How Tax Relief Works: Step-by-Step Timeline

Here is a step-by-step look at how tax relief works: 

1. Gather your tax documents: This may include IRS notices, correspondence and past returns. 
2. Your IRS transcripts are reviewed: Your tax documents will be reviewed by the tax relief company. 
3. You will have a discussion regarding your financial situation: There will be a review of your expenses, income and debts you owe. 
4. You will choose an option: You may choose a payment plan, penalty abatement, offer in compromise or hardship. 
5. Submit the required forms to the IRS: Provide the information that the IRS needs based on the program you choose. 
6. Wait for the IRS to conduct an evaluation: The IRS will evaluate your proposal and may request additional information. 
7. Negotiate with the IRS: The IRS may want to adjust the terms, and you will engage in negotiations to finalize the agreement. 
8. Sign agreement: Your payments begin and collections are often paused. 

How Long Tax Relief Can Take

Type of Relief	Time Period
Payment plan	A few weeks
Penalty abatement	Could be a few weeks to months
Offer in compromise	Ranges between six months to a year
Currently not collectible status	Several months

How To Choose a Legitimate Tax Relief Company — and Avoid Scams

If you’re looking for a tax relief company, it’s a good idea to vet your choice so you don’t get scammed. Here are a few pointers:

• Make sure a tax professional is involved: Ask if there is a tax attorney, CPA or other tax professional on staff. 
• Get a clear sense of your options: The company and its staff should be able to explain your choices to address your tax situation.
• Payment structure should be transparent: Understand exactly how you’re paying the tax company and when those payments should be made. If it is a vague payment structure, this is a red flag. 
• Pick the company where communication is open: You should be able to speak to the tax professional when you want and not be pushed to talk to a customer service representative. 
• Choose a tax relief company that’s regulated: Find out if the tax attorneys are barred and the CPAs are licensed to practice. 

Dawn Allcot and Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting of this article.

Data is accurate as of Feb. 9, 2026, and is subject to change.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

Share This Article: