Optima Tax Relief Review

4.3 _/5

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Tax Relief Services

• Assists with individual and business tax debts
• Staff includes tax attorneys, enrolled agents, and CPAs

• $295 fee to begin working with Optima Tax Relief
• Must have at least $10,000 in tax debt

Everyone has to pay taxes, but sometimes you find yourself owing more than you expect and struggling to pay your tax bill. If you wind up with tax debt, paying it off can feel overwhelming.

Optima Tax Relief helps people with tax debt deal with the IRS and set up a payment plan or settle their debt for less than they owe. The company works with taxpayers with at least $10,000 in tax debt and offers a free initial consultation.

What Optima Tax Relief offers

Optima Tax Relief offers a variety of tax assistance services.

• Tax consultation. If you’re worried about a tax audit or wage garnishment, a tax consultation from Optima Tax Relief may help. The company’s services include preparing your taxes, preparing for an audit, filing overdue taxes, and dealing with collection actions from the IRS.
• Tax preparation. If you don’t want to prepare and file your taxes yourself, Optima Tax Relief can work with you to fill out and submit the required paperwork and payments.
• Tax resolution. If you owe tax debt and the IRS comes to collect, Optima Tax Relief can help you resolve your tax problems in various ways. The company will work with the IRS to negotiate payment plans, debt settlements, removal of wage garnishment and liens, and other tax relief programs.
• Tax settlement. If you know you can’t afford your tax debt, but the IRS hasn’t come after you to collect, you can still enlist Optima Tax Relief’s help to settle for less than you owe. Optima Tax Relief will reach out to the IRS on your behalf, explain your financial situation, and negotiate a deal.
• Tax protection. Optima Tax Relief offers three levels of protection service, which include assistance with filing your taxes, identity and credit monitoring, audit defense services, and assistance with situations where you might need to work with the IRS.

How Optima Tax Relief works

Optima Tax Relief uses a three-step process to help people resolve their tax problems.

• Step 1: Consultation. Optima Tax Relief offers free consultations where you can meet with one of the company’s tax professionals to discuss your situation. You describe your financial situation and your issues with the IRS and decide whether working with Optima is wise.
• Step 2: Investigation. During this step, Optima’s professionals will reach out to the IRS on your behalf to get the IRS to stop contacting you. Optima will also examine all the finances and documents you provided to develop the best plan for dealing with your tax debt.
• Step 3: Optima executes your selected plan, working with the IRS to establish a payment plan or settle your debt.

How much does Optima cost?

Optima does not specify the costs for most of its services. However, the minimum cost to get help from Optima Tax Relief is $295 if you move past the consultation stage. This price is in line with the competition.

In general, people with straightforward tax situations and small amounts of debt will pay less than those with large amounts of debt or more complex situations will pay more.

If you sign up for Tax Protection services, you’ll pay $29.99, $49.99, or $69.99 per month.

How much can Optima save me?

How much you can save by hiring Optima will depend on several factors, such as your income, basic living expenses, and how much tax debt you have. The more you owe, the more you can save by having Optima help you avoid penalties or settle your debt for less than you owe.

Optima admits each case is different, and the company might be unable to save you money. During your consultation, it’s worth asking for an estimate of your savings and fees to ensure it makes sense to work with the company.

The company claims to have helped its customers resolve more than $1 billion in tax debt.

Pros & cons of Optima Tax Relief

Pros

• Employs tax attorneys and enrolled agents

• Free consultation

• Long track record and excellent reputation

• Variety of service options

• Dedicated case managers

Cons

• Requires $10,000 in debt or more

• No clear disclosure of costs

• Certain services (e.g., tax protection) are pricy for what they offer

Optima Tax Relief reputation and accreditations

Optima Tax Relief has a long track record and a strong reputation. It’s one of the better-known companies in its space.

The company has received accreditations or awards from many organizations, including:

• Better Business Bureau
• Inc. Magazine
• The IRS (as a Continuing Education Provider)
• Business Consumer Alliance
• National Association of Tax Professionals
• National Association of Enrolled Agents

The company is also popular with its customers. It has a 4.6 out of 5 rating with over 1,500 reviews on Trustpilot and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Where to find alternatives to Optima Tax Relief

Optima Tax Relief is far from the only company dedicated to helping people solve tax issues with the IRS. If you have tax debt and want to compare your options, we have useful resources, including our picks for the best tax relief companies.

Our top picks for tax relief is currently Anthem Tax Services and Larson Tax Relief. We’ve provided a side-by-side comparison to Optima below.

Optima vs. Anthem Tax Services

Anthem Tax Services provides tax prep, audit defense, and debt resolution, with a focus on long-term client support. Unlike Optima, it prioritizes ongoing relationships, making it a strong choice for those who want continuous assistance with their tax issues.

Anthem’s fees are higher, reflecting its extensive services. However, it offers a money-back guarantee if it can’t improve your tax situation, providing added assurance that clients get value for their investment—something Optima does not offer.

Both companies receive positive reviews for professionalism and tax relief results. However, Anthem stands out for its hands-on, long-term approach, making it ideal for those who prefer a dedicated partner in managing their tax responsibilities.

Optima vs. Larson Tax Relief

A key difference between Optima and Larson Tax Relief is their initial consultation fees. Optima charges $295 to start investigating your case, while Larson offers a free discovery phase. This lets you explore your options before committing, making Larson a better choice for those who want upfront clarity without an initial cost.

Both companies assist with tax settlements and IRS negotiations, but Larson is known for its hands-on approach. It has a strong record in business tax issues like payroll tax and liens, making it a great option for business owners needing specialized help.

Optima has a larger team and broader recognition, but Larson stands out for its direct access to tax professionals and strong customer service. Those who prefer a more transparent, personalized experience may find Larson a better fit.

FAQ

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Optima Tax Relief.

How we rated Optima Tax Relief

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 Optima Tax Relief 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.

Company	Our rating
Optima Tax Relief	4.3/5