Are tax relief services legitimate?

Yes, you can find highly rated, secure or nationally accredited tax relief services. Though you should always research which company would best suit your needs, here are some recommendations: Anthem Tax Services Community Tax Fortress Tax Relief Larson Tax Relief Precision Tax Relief Tax Defense Network

How much will the IRS usually settle for?

The amount the IRS will settle for varies case by case as it will depend on what the IRS thinks you can reasonably pay as well as other factors such as your assets, income , savings and monthly expenses.

Why am I getting calls from tax relief companies?

Be aware of any unsolicited tax relief company robocalls offering to reduce your tax debt or assistance in past due balances as these may be scams. Always do your research and seek out your own counsel when looking for tax debt resolution companies.

Who qualifies for the IRS Fresh Start Program?

To qualify for the IRS Fresh Start Program, you must meet at least one of the following requirements: Self-employed: You have had a drop in income of at least 25%. Single: You have an income of less than $100,000. Married: You have an income of less than $200,000.

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9 Best Tax Debt Resolution Companies of 2025

December 13, 2024

8 min Read

Written by Caitlyn Moorhead

Edited by Emily Gadd

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Unpaid tax debt can be scary. While credit card debt accrues interest and may lead to calls and letters from your creditors, tax debt accrues interest and penalties, which adds up faster than credit card interest. Tax debt can lead to liens or levies on your personal property or wage garnishment of your paycheck. And if the IRS believes you knowingly and willfully evaded filing or paying your taxes, you could face jail time.

Twenty percent of Americans who owed taxes in 2023, for the 2022 tax year, said they felt “extremely” stressed about it, according to U.S. News & World Report. Meanwhile, 45% were surprised they owed money to the IRS.

Whether your tax debt comes as a surprise or you simply fell short of what you needed to pay your tax bill, you can seek help from professionals. Tax resolution, or tax debt relief companies, exist to help taxpayers alleviate the financial burden of unpaid tax debt through various programs and payment plans.

What Is a Tax Resolution Company?

Tax resolution companies or tax debt relief companies are designed to help minimize your tax debt. The professional tax attorneys, tax preparers and IRS enrolled agents in these organizations can help you stop IRS collections action, have penalties reduced or eliminated, and negotiate a payment plan to eliminate your tax debt. They can also help you reduce your debt by thousands of dollars through programs like the offer-in-compromise.

Tax resolution is an umbrella term for services that assist taxpayers with issues with the IRS, such as collections action, penalties, wage garnishment, levies and tax liens.

9 Best Tax Debt Resolution Companies

If you have gotten yourself into some hot water with the IRS, dealing with them on your own can be overwhelming. However, there are tax resolution companies that can help you through your unique situation. Here are seven great tax debt resolution companies to consider:

Today's Top Offers

1. Anthem Tax Services

Minimum tax debt requirement: $8,000

Anthem Tax Services is accredited by both the National Association of Tax Professionals, the National Association of Enrolled Agents, the Better Business Bureau 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.

Pros

Reasonable payment plans are available
No time limit on the money-back guarantee offer

Cons

Fewer options for consumer education
No guarantee for a reduction in the total payment amount

2. Community Tax

Minimum tax debt requirement: $7,500

Community Tax offers tax debt assistance and is Better Business Bureau accredited and an IRS-approved continuing education provider. The company offers a 14-day money-back guarantee. Founded in 2010, Community Tax is one of the longer running tax debt relief companies and provides tax debt resolution as well as tax filing and audit defense.

Pros

CTAX+ subscription provides tax assurance services
Free online resource library and mobile app

Cons

Pricing is not as competitive as other companies
Automated chat support on its mobile app is not user-friendly

3. Fortress Tax Relief

Minimum tax debt requirement: $20,000

Led by experienced tax attorneys, Fortress Tax Relief offers many resolution services for IRS tax debt or back tax issues. If you call in, Fortress offers a free consultation. Fortress operates in all 50 states and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Pros

Every case is handled by licensed attorneys
Free consultation
Can cover all 50 states for state tax debts

Cons

Fewer business services than leading competitors
Fees start at $1,000 and can be as high as $15,000+

Today's Top Offers

4. Alleviate Tax

Based in California and serving taxpayers nationwide, Alleviate Tax is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and is a member of the NAEA, NATP and ASTPS. The company has resolved more than $37 million in taxes for clients through the offer-in-compromise program since 2018 and has saved clients more than $10 million in penalties. The company charges a flat fees for their services, which can result in cost savings.

Pros

Free consultation
Responsive customer service
Multiple certifications and accreditations

Cons

Money-back guarantee does not apply to guaranteeing a reduction in your tax debt
May not serve all 50 states

5. Larson Tax Relief

Minimum tax debt requirement: $10,000

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. Although their tax relief services start at $10,000 in minimum tax debt, Larson offers a free consultation to see if they can help you.

Pros

Highly rated by the BBB
Responsive internet chat
Free consultation

Cons

Higher minimum tax debt requirement than some leading competitors
No accreditation from national industry organizations

6. Precision Tax Relief

Minimum tax debt requirement: None

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

Pros

30-day money-back guarantee
Long-established leader in the industry
Free consultation

Cons

Fewer online resources than leading competitors
Doesn’t offer tax audit representation

7. Optima Tax Relief

Optima Tax Relief is BBB accredited and is approved as an IRS Continuing Education Provider. It is also a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals. Optima offers a free consultation and a 15-day money-back guarantee during the Investigation Phase of their tax relief services.

Today's Top Offers

Pros

Accredited by multiple national organizations and IRS approved
Money-back guarantee

Cons

No automated chat on the website
No guarantee your tax debt will be reduced

8. Tax Defense Network

Minimum tax debt requirement: $5,000

Tax Defense Network is accredited by the American Institute of CPAs, the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers, the National Association of Tax Professionals and the National Association of Enrolled Agents. It has an A+ rating with the BBB and has been accredited since 2008. Tax Defense Network has resolved more than $14 billion in tax debt since 2007.

Pros

Accredited by multiple national organizations
Free consultation
Robust website with multiple resources, available in Spanish and English

Cons

Hard to determine costs or fees

9. Tax Relief Advocates

Minimum tax debt requirement: $5,000

Tax Relief Advocates has tax resolution experts on hand to help you with a personalized strategy to make sure you are only paying the tax balance you owe and not more than you can afford. The company can help reduce and resolve your tax debt, prevent bank levies, stop wage garnishment and assist with an IRS audit. Accredited by the BBB with an A+ rating since 2020, Tax Relief Advocates starts with a free consultation.

Pros

Offers a free and confidential tax consultation
You can receive personalized back tax relief options
BBB-accredited with an A+ rating

Cons

Not accredited by tax associations
Does not guarantee your tax debt will be reduced

Final Take To GO

If you’re ready to sign up with a tax relief service, you should first seek out assistance from a legitimate and accredited company. You can often get a free tax consultation from experts before you take the next step. If you are struggling with tax debt, be sure to explore your options and get help before sinking deeper.

Today's Top Offers

FAQ

Are tax relief services legitimate?
- Yes, you can find highly rated, secure or nationally accredited tax relief services. Though you should always research which company would best suit your needs, here are some recommendations:
  - Anthem Tax Services
  - Community Tax
  - Fortress Tax Relief
  - Larson Tax Relief
  - Precision Tax Relief
  - Tax Defense Network
How much will the IRS usually settle for?
- The amount the IRS will settle for varies case by case as it will depend on what the IRS thinks you can reasonably pay as well as other factors such as your assets, income, savings and monthly expenses.
Why am I getting calls from tax relief companies?
- Be aware of any unsolicited tax relief company robocalls offering to reduce your tax debt or assistance in past due balances as these may be scams. Always do your research and seek out your own counsel when looking for tax debt resolution companies.
Who qualifies for the IRS Fresh Start Program?
- To qualify for the IRS Fresh Start Program, you must meet at least one of the following requirements:
  - Self-employed: You have had a drop in income of at least 25%.
  - Single: You have an income of less than $100,000.
  - Married: You have an income of less than $200,000.

Dawn Allcot contributed to the reporting of this article.

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.

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