When tax obligations escalate to IRS notices, penalties, and collection actions, many taxpayers seek professional tax relief assistance to help them navigate the system. Companies like Optima Tax Relief promise to guide customers through complex IRS programs, but before signing up, it’s important to understand how their services work, how much they cost, and when you might actually need them.
In this Optima tax relief review, we’ll explain how the company operates, what services it offers, how its pricing is structured, and when professional tax relief assistance may or may not make sense.
Overview of Optima tax reduction
Optima Tax Relief was founded in 2011 and is one of several companies that provide tax resolution services and administrative assistance with IRS tax relief programs.
The company works with individuals and small businesses across the country, typically serving customers who owe at least $10,000 in unpaid taxes. Many of those cases involve more complex situations, such as wage garnishments, bank collections, and tax liens.
Like any authorized tax relief service provider, Optima Tax Relief cannot control IRS decisions or guarantee a particular outcome.
Contents of Optima tax reduction
Optima Tax Relief offers a wide range of tax resolution services designed to help taxpayers understand their situations, comply with IRS requirements, and pursue available relief options. The company offers free consultations and publishes educational resources that address common questions about tax debt. However, like other tax relief providers, Optima Tax Relief can only help taxpayers navigate the IRS system and cannot directly control IRS decisions.
We also offer Optima Tax Shield, a subscription-style service focused on tax-related identity theft monitoring and protection.
Common services include:
- Tax consultation
- Offer in compromise (OIC) support
- Responsibility investigation
- IRS proposed resolution
- Tax preparation and filing support
- Compliance support
- Tax payment/negotiation support
- Tax lien exemption support
- Bank levy and wage garnishment relief
- Protection against tax identity theft
How Optima Tax Relief Pricing Works
Optima Tax Relief does not publish standard pricing for its tax resolution services. Instead, Optima employs a phase-based pricing model, which typically begins with an investigation fee, followed by separate resolution fees based on the complexity of the case, the amount of tax debt involved, and the services required.
This approach is common in the tax relief industry and can vary widely in price depending on factors such as unfiled returns, enforcement actions, or the need to negotiate directly with the IRS. According to LendEDU, a typical cost for a tax relief company is between $250 and $7,500.
Optima lists prices for its Optima Tax Shield plan, which focuses on taxpayer identity theft monitoring and related support. According to the company’s website, these plans range from $0 to $49.99 per month.
Advantages and potential disadvantages of Optima tax relief
Although working with a tax relief company like Optima Tax Relief may be helpful for taxpayers dealing with complex IRS issues, this service may not be necessary or cost-effective in every situation.
Strong Points
- We offer a free initial consultation.
- Certified by the BBB with a 4-star rating and an A rating
- We handle complex tax debt cases such as liens, levies, and foreclosures.
Cons
- Prices for services are not disclosed
- Based on customer reviews, fees may outweigh benefits in simpler tax situations
- results are not guaranteed
Optima Tax Relief reviews and reputation
Optima Tax Relief typically receives high ratings from customers across major review platforms, but like most tax relief companies, there is also mixed feedback.
The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A rating that reflects a company’s responsiveness to customer complaints. Optima Tax Relief also maintains an average customer rating of around 4 stars on the BBB site.
On Trustpilot, the company has an overall rating of around 4.5 stars, with many reviewers calling their experience professional, helpful, and easy to understand.
Some negative reviews have focused on communication delays, confusion about the scope of service, and dissatisfaction with the price of results. In BBB complaint records, companies typically respond to customer concerns and attempt to resolve disputes.
How Optima Tax Relief compares to its competitors
Tax relief companies generally offer many of the same core services, including support with OICs, installment agreements, penalty and hardship relief, preparation and filing, and general taxpayer representation.
However, pricing, case evaluation processes, and the types of qualified professionals involved may vary from firm to firm. Before choosing a company, taxpayers should compare multiple providers, carefully consider rates, and understand what services are needed to achieve the best results.
When it makes sense to work with a tax relief company
Working with a tax relief company may be helpful for taxpayers dealing with larger or more complex tax liability situations. Optima Tax Relief typically serves customers who owe $10,000 or more in unpaid taxes or who are facing aggressive collection efforts by the IRS.
It may be worth considering professional tax relief assistance if:
- paying a large amount of unpaid taxes
- I have multiple years of unfiled tax returns.
- Facing a wage garnishment, bank levy, or tax lien
- I need help understanding IRS relief programs or preparing financial statements
- Overwhelmed by dealing directly with the IRS
These services may not be as necessary for taxpayers with small balances or in simple situations. For example, many people can set up an IRS payment plan directly through an agent. The IRS also provides free assistance through its Taxpayer Advocacy Service for those who need additional help resolving tax issues.
conclusion
Optima Tax Relief may be a legitimate option for taxpayers with complex or large IRS debts who need professional assistance in navigating tax relief programs. However, professional services can be expensive and results vary depending on IRS eligibility requirements.
For more straightforward tax situations, working directly with the IRS or a local CPA or tax professional may be a more cost-effective approach.
Optima Tax Reduction Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth using tax saving services?
For taxpayers who owe a large amount of taxes, face a complex tax situation, are being collected by the IRS, or have multiple unfiled returns, it may be worth taking advantage of a tax relief service like Optima Tax Relief. For simpler situations, such as setting up a basic payment plan, it may be less costly to work directly with the IRS or local tax professional.
Can Optima Tax Relief services reduce my tax debt?
In some cases, Optima Tax Relief can help reduce your tax liability. However, there are limits to the support provided by any tax reduction company. Optima Tax Relief focuses on helping eligible taxpayers apply for IRS programs that can reduce penalties or resolve tax debts, such as OIC. However, tax liability reduction is not guaranteed and approval depends on IRS regulations, financial hardship, and the taxpayer’s ability to pay.
Do I need a tax relief company to work with the IRS?
Although often helpful, you don’t have to use a tax relief company to work with the IRS or manage your tax debt. Legally, taxpayers can set up a payment plan or request relief directly through the IRS. Tax relief companies can help people with complex cases, but they cannot provide access to special programs that are not available to individuals.
