Optima Tax Relief Review 2022: Pros, Cons and How It Compares
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If you need tax relief, you can work directly with the IRS (more about that at the bottom of this review). But if you want professional help, you can work with a tax-relief company such as Optima Tax Relief.
Optima Tax Relief is one of the biggest names in the tax-relief industry. And in an industry with a lot of questionable players, Optima’s size and brand recognition are definitely advantages.
Our take
The bottom line Optima handles a variety of common tax issues at a competitive price. And its customer support options stand out among the crowd. An initial consult is free.
Investigation fees | Resolution fees |
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$295. | $995-$5,000 (depending on case specifics). |
Pros & Cons
Pros
Resolution fees in line with competitors.
Well-known name in the business.
Multiple customer service options, including an online portal.
Cons
Like other providers, the person working on your case isn’t necessarily the person managing your case.
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Full review
Optima Tax Relief is one of the most well-known names in tax relief. Founded in 2011, the company has been on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America for several years.
Optima provides a variety of services that address tax problems, such as audit representation, lien and levy releases and wage garnishment release. You can get a free initial consultation, but actual investigation work — the primary effort to determine how big your problem is, for which years and other details — costs a few hundred dollars.
Typically, tax-relief companies charge much more for resolution work — that is, they charge you a second fee to do the work that resolves the tax issue. Three of the most common routes here are getting on an installment payment plan with the IRS, applying for an offer in compromise to settle the debt for less than the amount owed, and applying for currently-not-collectible status with the IRS.
You’ll have a dedicated case manager to talk to — a liaison between you and the tax professionals doing the work. Optima says those tax pros all are either attorneys, certified public accountants or enrolled agents.
Optima Tax Relief is best for:
People who want to work with a national brand.
Taxpayers who want to explore a variety of tax-relief options.
Clients who don’t need to talk directly to the folks working their cases.
Optima Tax Relief at a glance
Free consultation? | Yes. |
Investigation fees | $295. |
Average resolution fees* (low end) | $995-$5,000 (depending on case specifics). |
Average resolution fees* (high end) | $995-$5,000 (depending on case specifics). |
Refundability of fees if IRS denies requests | Within 15 days of enrollment only. After 15 days, refunds are limited. |
Contact options | Phone, email, mail and online portal (in-person available only in Santa Ana, California, and Chandler, Arizona). |
Dedicated case manager? | Yes, but not necessarily a licensed practitioner. |
*Fees depend on individual tax circumstances and the relief action being pursued (e.g., offer in compromise, installment agreement, currently-not-collectible status). | |
Optima Tax Relief features to know
Fees: The company says it offers a free consultation, which can help you decide whether Optima is for you. 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.
Who does the work: Optima Tax Relief assigns you a case advocate who acts as a go-between for you and the pros who are working on your tax issue. If you happen to live in Santa Ana, California, or Chandler, Arizona, you may be able to meet with someone in person to talk and ask questions; otherwise, the company has other contact options shown in the table.
If and when the company reaches some sort of deal with the IRS on your behalf, it will take another look at your financial situation (for free, it says) to see if you might qualify for an offer in compromise if (you didn't before). If you do, Optima Tax Relief says it will continue with completing the filings and actions needed to get that offer in compromise.
Refunds: Given that virtually anyone can get on a payment plan with the IRS (also called an installment agreement), it’s unlikely that this or any other tax-relief company will say there’s nothing they can do for you. But if you decide you want your money back, Optima Tax Relief says you can walk within 15 calendar days of when you sign the contract.
Do tax-relief companies really work? Things to know
Before you decide to hire a tax-relief company, here are a few things to know.
The basics
Working with a tax-relief company generally entails two steps:
Investigation, or discovery, work, which involves giving the company legal access to your tax records and information in order to learn how much you owe and understand the problem. Tax-relief companies typically charge a fee for this.
Resolution work, which involves the tax-relief company working with the IRS on your behalf to get you on an installment plan, apply for an offer in compromise to pay less than you owe, apply for currently-not-collectible status or figure something else out. Tax-relief companies typically charge a fee for this, too.
You’re not required to hire anybody
If you want to hire a tax-relief company because you don’t have the time or energy to deal with a tax issue, that’s fine. But be aware that it’s not required. There are many things you can handle directly with the IRS to get back on track without having to pay a third party. Some of those things include:
You’re still responsible
Three things here:
Your tax bill doesn’t become the tax-relief company’s tax bill. The IRS will still look to you for answers (and money), even if the tax-relief company loses your paperwork, misses a deadline or messes something up.
The tax-relief company can ask the IRS for a break on your behalf, but that doesn’t mean you’ll get one. The IRS denies more than half of all applications for an offer in compromise, for example. You may still have to pay the tax-relief company, on top of your tax bill, even if the IRS denies the request or gives you just a tiny break.
Take a minute and do some math. Compare the amount you’re hoping to save with the amount you may need to pay the tax-relief company. For example, if you end up paying a tax-relief company $2,000 to reduce your IRS bill by $2,000, you haven’t saved any money.
Is Optima Tax Relief right for you?
Optima Tax Relief can handle many common tax-relief needs, and you’ll be working with a nationally known brand. However, investigation of your issues comes at a cost, and, like most other providers, the person you talk to about your case won’t necessarily be the person actually doing the work.
