Alleviate Tax Review: Best for Transparency and a Lowest Price Guarantee

Best Lowest Price Guarantee

4.7 _/5

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Tax Relief

• Excellent customer service
• Transparent process and flat fees
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Offers financing options for help paying for services
• Resolves most cases within 10 months

• Must pay for Phase 1 (investigation) to get a quote for Phase 2 (resolution)
• Doesn’t assist with state taxes

We recommend Alleviate Tax for its straightforward two-phase approach, transparent flat fees, and strong reputation in handling IRS issues like wage garnishment removal and installment agreements. While total costs aren’t fully disclosed until the first phase is complete, Alleviate’s lowest price guarantee can offer peace of mind, promising to beat competitor quotes by up to $500. 

With a commitment to customer service and an A+ BBB rating, Alleviate Tax is a solid choice for those seeking reliable tax relief.

What Alleviate Tax offers

Alleviate Tax is a financial services company that helps with nearly every type of tax relief for federal debt. The company employs more than 150 tax professionals, including ​​CPAs, enrolled agents, and tax attorneys. 

However, the company doesn’t help resolve state taxes, which might be a dealbreaker for some taxpayers. Here are the specific services Alleviate Tax offers.

Federal tax debt resolution

Alleviate Tax clarifies that you don’t need to work with the company to resolve your tax debt—you can work directly with the IRS. However, according to Alleviate, the biggest benefit of working with Alleviate is that the tax professionals have years of experience and can handle the time-consuming process on your behalf. 

Alleviate Tax specializes in resolving federal tax issues, including the following services: 

• IRS Fresh Start: This IRS program allows you to set up a payment plan or enroll in relief options to manage tax debt and avoid wage garnishment or bank levies. Alleviate negotiates with the IRS on your behalf to get you enrolled.
• Penalty abatement: Alleviate can help remove penalties and fees that have accrued from unpaid debt.
• Offer in Compromise: If you can prove financial hardship, this program allows you to settle your debt for less than you owe, potentially saving you thousands. Offers in Compromise are difficult to secure independently but Alleviate can improve your chances of qualifying.
• Wage garnishment removal: If you’re facing wage garnishment, Alleviate can help you set up a payment plan to regain good standing with the IRS.
• Delinquent tax return filings: Alleviate can assist you in filing delinquent tax returns from previous years, even if you’re missing documents.
• Bank levy release: Alleviate can help establish a payment plan to get back in good standing, allowing the IRS to lift bank levies and property liens.
• Installment agreements: You can work with Alleviate to set up an affordable payment plan with the IRS.
• Innocent spouse relief: If you can prove the debt belongs to your current or former spouse, Alleviate can help you apply for relief.
• Currently not collectible status and statute of limitations: Currently not collectible status doesn’t erase your debt, but it suspends repayment obligations temporarily. Alleviate can guide you through this process and help you understand the statute of limitations.

California tax attorney

Alleviate Tax doesn’t handle state tax issues, but it provides access to a California tax attorney. The company is transparent about the fact that most taxpayers don’t need to hire an attorney to resolve their tax issues. 

Alleviate usually recommends cheaper options that don’t involve attorney fees. But if you need a California tax attorney throughout the process, Alleviate can help.

How does Alleviate Tax relief work?

Tax relief companies usually have similar onboarding processes. The biggest difference between companies is the steps involved and when you receive pricing information. Here’s how Alleviate’s process works

Initial consultation

To begin working with Alleviate, the first step is to set up a free initial consultation. This is your time to speak with a tax professional, ask questions, and get general advice. The tax professional, in turn, gathers some information about your case 

If you decide to move forward with Alleviate to resolve your tax debt, you’ll begin the company’s two-phase process to tax resolution.

Phase 1—Investigation

After the initial consultation, you’ll receive a price quote for Phase 1. This is the initial investigation, during which a tax professional completes a thorough analysis of your IRS tax status and provides you with a report of your tax issues. 

The report includes a comprehensive review of your options to resolve your tax debt based on your eligibility.

You pay a flat fee for Phase 1. It typically takes one to two weeks.

Phase 2—Active resolution

Once the investigation is complete, you can get a quote for Phase 2, the active resolution phase. In this phase, Alleviate works with the IRS to resolve your case using the strategies identified in Phase 1. You’re not obligated to continue with Phase 2, but you won’t be refunded for the Phase 1 fee if you decide not to proceed.

Phase 2 is also charged at a flat fee. It typically takes two to 10 months to resolve your case. 

During this time, the company will communicate with the IRS on your behalf and submit documents. You’ll receive updates throughout.  

Resolution

After Alleviate has completed phases one and two, your tax debt will be resolved and you will be compliant with the IRS.

How much does Alleviate Tax cost? 

Alleviate stands out for offering flat fees, which is immensely helpful for customers. Unlike many other tax companies, you don’t have to pay an hourly rate, and the price won’t change as the case progresses. 

However, you must pay for Phase 1 before you receive an estimate for Phase 2. As Alleviate explains, it’s impossible to provide a quote for Phase 2 until the scope of work is made clear in Phase 1.

Pricing varies depending on the complexity of your case. Here are the price ranges for each phase of the process.

Phase	Price range
Consultation	Free
Phase 1 Investigation	Less than $500
Phase 2 Active resolution	Varies depending on complexity, but can range from $2,000 – $6,000

The lack of upfront pricing when exploring Alleviate can be frustrating, especially when comparing quotes from different tax relief companies or trying to budget. However, the company does offer some unique features to help with the cost of tax relief services:

• Lowest price guarantee: If you can show a quote for the same scope of services from another company, Alleviate will try to beat this by as much as $500
• 30-day money-back guarantee: Alleviate offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to consumers, but it has to be in the terms and conditions in your signed agreement before services begin (so be sure to check for it when you sign your agreement).
• Financing options: Alleviate can refer you to a specialized financing company for help financing your tax relief services if you need it.

How much can Alleviate Tax save me?

Since opening in 2018, Alleviate has resolved more than $160 million of tax debt. 

Because the fees associated with each phase of Alleviate’s process are dependent on your situation, you’ll have an estimate of how much money you can save after the Phase 1 investigation is complete. 

Some of the most common tax resolutions that Alleviate negotiates include Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status and Offers in Compromise. In one example on its website, an Alleviate customer paid $5,000 as an Offer in Compromise for $30,843.89 of federal tax debt—a savings of over $25,000.

Pros and cons of Alleviate Tax relief 

Pros

• Excellent customer service

  Alleviate stands out with above-average customer service and outstanding reviews. The company has been BBB-accredited since 2019 and earns an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau, much higher than most tax relief companies.

• Transparent process and flat fees

  While other companies charge an expensive retainer fee or hourly rate, Alleviate offers flat rates that don’t increase. Every client completes a two-phase process after the consultation: investigation (Phase 1) and resolution (Phase 2).

• Free initial consultation

  Alleviate offers a free initial consultation during which you can ask questions, explain your situation, and gather advice. You’re not under any pressure to move forward with the services after completing the consultation.

• Resolves most cases within 10 months

  Some tax relief companies take years to resolve issues. Alleviate commits to a timeline of two to 10 months. Some complex cases might take longer, but the average timeline is shorter than most companies.

• Lowest price guarantee

  Alleviate offers a lowest price guarantee, promising to match or beat competitors’ prices for comparable services by as much as $500. This can provide extra confidence that you’re getting the best value for the service.

• 30-day money-back guarantee

  If you’re unsatisfied with the service during the first 30 days, you can request a refund, but remember this is only applicable to you if it’s in the terms and conditions of your signed agreement.

• Financing options available

  Alleviate offers financing options to make tax relief services more accessible. If the upfront costs are a barrier, referral to a specialized financing company can help you get assistance without a large immediate outlay.

Cons

• Must pay for Phase 1 to get a quote for Phase 2

  Even though Alleviate is transparent about the process and offers flat fees, you won’t know the total cost until you pay for the investigation.

• Doesn’t assist with state taxes

  Alleviate Tax can help file state tax returns, but the company doesn’t assist with resolution at the state level.

• Can’t estimate savings until after you pay

  Most taxpayers don’t need to work with a tax relief company to resolve their issues with the IRS. Because of that, it’s important to calculate your potential savings to determine if it’s worth it. But you can’t estimate your savings with Alleviate until after you pay for the investigation, which can cost up to $500.

Alleviate Tax reputation and accreditations 

Compared to similar tax relief companies, Alleviate Tax earns higher customer reviews. Alleviate is also BBB-accredited and earns an A+ rating.

Here’s how the company ranks on review sites. 

Source	Rating	Number of reviews
Trustpilot	2.2/5	11
Better Business Bureau (BBB)	4.59/5	289
Google	4.4/5	826

Positive customer reviews on Google repeatedly mention the kindness and professionalism of the staff. Multiple customers talk about how they felt significantly less stressed after making a plan with a tax professional at Alleviate. 

Even though positive reviews on Trustpilot praise the company’s straightforward pricing, negative reviews on the site complain of “sales tactics” during the initial consultation. The negative reviews on Google are less common, but customers mention confusion about the pricing structure and unresolved tax issues. 

Alternatives to Alleviate Tax relief 

Like the other top tax relief companies, Alleviate Tax offers a straightforward resolution process and access to credentialed tax professionals. But depending on your situation, another tax relief company might be better. Here are the best alternatives to Alleviate Tax. 

The best tax relief company depends on your budget and debt amount. For example, Anthem Tax might be a great fit if you’re nervous about working with a tax relief company for the first time. If you’re unhappy with the service, you can take advantage of a generous money-back guarantee. 

Precision Tax, on the other hand, offers a no-interest payment plan, which is a helpful option if you need assistance affording the upfront fees that come with tax relief services. 

FAQ

Is Alleviate Tax relief worth it?

Yes, Alleviate Tax relief is considered worth it for many individuals dealing with complex tax issues, especially if you value transparency and strong customer service. Alleviate Tax rates 4.7 out of 5 in our editorial review, and it earns recognition for its clear communication and a great lowest price guarantee. 

While tax relief services come with costs, the combination of transparency, customer satisfaction, and the potential for resolving difficult tax debt issues makes Alleviate Tax a solid option for many.

How long does Alleviate Tax take to solve my tax issue?

Alleviate Tax splits its process into two key phases:

• Phase 1 is the initial investigation of your tax case and typically takes one to two weeks.
• Phase 2 is the active resolution of the case, in which Alleviate implements the best strategies to resolve your tax debt. This can take anywhere from two to 10 months.

Does Alleviate Tax require a minimum tax debt?

Yes, Alleviate Tax generally requires clients to have a minimum tax debt of $10,000. This threshold helps ensure that the cost of the service is justified by the potential savings and resolution that Alleviate can negotiate on your behalf.

What type of tax debt do I need to work with Alleviate Tax?

Alleviate Tax only works with federal tax debt. This includes back taxes, unfiled returns, wage garnishments, tax liens, and other related issues. It works with both individuals and businesses facing tax debt challenges.

Can I get a refund if I’m unsatisfied?

Alleviate Tax offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in your service agreement. If you’re unsatisfied within the first 30 days, you may be eligible for a refund as specified in your agreement. 

Does Alleviate Tax relief affect my credit?

Working with Alleviate Tax services does not directly affect your credit score. However, resolving tax debt through a tax relief program can improve your credit over time by addressing liens, garnishments, and other collections actions that may be hurting your credit score.

How we rated Alleviate Tax

We designed LendEDU’s editorial rating system to help readers find companies that offer the best tax relief services. Our system awards higher ratings to companies with affordable solutions, positive customer reviews, and online transparency of benefits and terms.

We compared Alleviate tax to several tax relief companies, using hundreds of data points from company websites, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives. We weighted, scored, and combined each factor to produce a final editorial rating. This rating is expressed on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score. Our take is represented in our rating and best-for designation, recapped below.