Facing IRS problems alone can be a challenging experience. This guide outlines 5 ways to pick the best professional tax help company for you, and our recommendations for the top tax relief companies of 2024.
When vetting and qualifying the companies that make up our recommended list, the TaxHelpReviews.com editors focused on five key points:
With so many tax relief companies popping up -- along with scammers posing as tax relief services -- it's important that you also know how to find the best firm for you. Choosing the right firm will depend greatly on your personal financial situation. As such, we recommend that you follow similar guidelines to help you in the search for the best tax relief service for you.
Qualifications
Let’s face it – you don’t want to just trust anyone with your finances! This is why it is so important to research your tax relief company’s qualifications.
A reputable tax firm generally holds numerous accreditations and memberships, such as an accreditation from the BBB (Better Business Bureau), and memberships from the NAEA (National Association of Enrolled Agents) and the NATP (National Association of Tax Professionals). Many qualified tax relief services hold additional local and state accreditations, too.
You can also contact the company or check their website to check their staff's licensing and accreditation. It's essential that a tax relief company has licensed attorneys and enrolled agents on staff and that they are licensed to practice in all 50 states.
Anthem Tax Services is a great example of a qualified tax relief firm. They are accredited with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and are active members of CTEC (California Tax Education Council), NAEA (National Association of Enrolled Agents), and NATP (National Association of Tax Professionals). Additionally, all of their staff members are certified professionals who work directly with the IRS on your behalf.
Services Offered
When it comes to services offered, "more" is always "better"! Take a look at the list of services a tax relief company offers. Some only offer a few basic services - either due to a lack of staff training and experience or because they only focus on the most profitable areas of service. On the other hand, top tax relief companies offer a wide variety of services such as:
Pricing
Because every tax situation is different, the price for tax relief service is going to vary depending on the company hired and the complexity of services needed. Most tax relief companies can charge anywhere from $2,000 - $10,000. Reputable tax relief firms will provide an initial free consultation and do not charge any upfront fees until services are performed.
Also, look for a money-back guarantee. This is another sign of a reputable tax firm, as it shows confidence and faith in their ability to provide their clients with excellent service.
Companies such as Anthem Tax Services start their services at a low cost of $250 and have a full 100% money-back guarantee.
Customer Service
Spend some time reading verified customer reviews and researching company ratings on sites like TaxHelpReviews, BBB.org, or Trustpilot.com. This is a great way to build an unbiased opinion on a company’s ability to provide the level of service you expect.
You may also want to call the company directly and ask them any questions or concerns you might have. Their answers and level of assistance can help you gauge just how reliable their support staff is and the kind of customer service you can expect to receive from them.
Reputable Practices
Recently, there has been a surge in the number of scam artists entering the tax relief industry, and they are known for their unethical practices and broken promises.
Be wary of any company that gives you a promise to eliminate your tax burden completely or that asks for money upfront without investigating your case. Only reputable services will take a full assessment of your tax situation before they advise you on the best options for you.
Also, steer clear of any company that promises to take on any case, no matter what. Every tax case is different – some can benefit from the assistance of a tax relief company, while others cannot. A reputable company will take the time to look into their client’s specific situation before advising whether or not they can actually help them.
Lastly, be on the look-out for those companies that do not offer a refund or a money-back guarantee. Any reputable service that cares about helping their clients (rather than taking their money) will have some sort of refund policy or money-back clause in their agreement.
18 million Americans have some sort of tax liability, and each year American consumers end up owing over $450 billion to the IRS! Missing even one tax deadline can result in severe consequences and growing distress over time.
Consumers have a number of options to address their issues based on their unique situation.
Typically, the IRS has 10 years to collect on delinquent taxes.
But, according to the IRS, taxpayers who are up to date on their taxes are more likely to pay in the future.
This is why the IRS has implemented a number of tax relief programs to help those that are currently struggling with tax problems. These programs are win for both taxpayers and the IRS: the IRS will receive some portion of their funds and increase their revenue while taxpayers settle their delinquent taxes owed and avoid serious consequences.
Tax relief options offered by the IRS include the following:
While taxpayers can negotiate with the IRS directly, there are advantages to hiring and working with a reputable tax relief company:
Although working with a tax relief service can be pricey, they can provide excellent assistance to consumers suffering with tax problems.
There are several ways to find out how much you owe:
Yes. If you owe taxes and find that you cannot pay them, there are other options including: negotiating a payment plan or paying a reduced amount with an Offer in Compromise.
But, there are advantages to hiring a tax relief company to represent you in these negotiations.
Hiring a reputable tax relief service can help taxpayers identify whether or not they qualify for any of the available relief programs, negotiate with the IRS on their behalf, and possibly lower their tax liability.
Most tax relief companies can charge anywhere from $2,000 - $10,000. Reputable tax relief firms will provide an initial free consultation and do not charge any upfront fees until services are performed.
This depends on your particular tax case and financial situation. If you qualify for one of the official relief programs through the IRS, it could be possible to settle your taxes for less than what you owe.
The tax professionals that work for reputable tax relief companies can help determine whether or not you qualify for any of the available relief programs.
Written by:
Andy Chang
•
Founder of TheCreditReview
Edited by:
Andy Chang
•
Founder of TheCreditReview
