Tax Hardship Center Review: Tax Relief Options

4.3 _/5

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Tax Relief Services

Assists with individual and business tax debt issues
14-day money-back guarantee

No details on the expertise of the employed staff
$495 fee before discovery services are offered
Must have at least $10,000 in tax debt

When dealing with tax issues, finding a trustworthy solution can make all the difference. Tax Hardship Center aims to help individuals and businesses navigate federal and state tax challenges, offering support for everything from delinquent taxes and penalties to wage garnishments and tax liens. It serves clients across all 50 U.S. states and also provides tax preparation services for individuals and businesses.

Curious if Tax Hardship Center is the right fit for you? While its website outlines an initial fee of $495, and the company boasts excellent user ratings, details on variable costs and staff experience are less transparent. One unique perk is its 14-day money-back guarantee, which adds an extra layer of assurance. Keep reading to see how this company stacks up in terms of trustworthiness and whether it could be the solution you need for your tax concerns.

Table of Contents Skip to Section

Is Tax Hardship Center legit?
Tax Hardship Center services
Tax Hardship Center costs
Tax Hardship Center alternatives

Is Tax Hardship Center legit?

Several factors contribute to Tax Hardship Center’s trustworthiness when evaluating its legitimacy. The company earns an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has been accredited since 2018.

Source	Customer rating	Number of reviews
TrustLink	N/A	0
Trustpilot	4.7/5	32
Better Business Bureau (BBB)	4.22/5	111
Google	4.9/5	177

Collected on August 19, 2024

Tax Hardship Center doesn’t hold an entry or a score on TrustLink at the time of writing.

The company’s CEO, Ari Azim, holds the designation of “Enrolled Agent,” the highest credential awarded by the IRS, underscoring the company’s professional expertise.

Tax Hardship Center offers a 14-day money-back guarantee and has excellent ratings, but it’s important to be aware that details on variable costs and staff experience aren’t clearly communicated on its website. Overall, the combination of high customer ratings and professional credentials adds to the Center’s credibility, though it could improve its transparency in certain areas.

Do any customers have complaints about Tax Hardship Center?

Many customers praise Tax Hardship Center, but several reviews outline negative experiences. We pulled the reviews below from the BBB page.

Negative customer reviews

“My story is the EXACT same as everyone else’s. They promise the world of relief, amazing communication to start and once you trust it’s a great solution, you sign and start paying and they completely disappear. If you threaten to cancel everything they call back right away! They do a great job not leaving a paper trail in communication via text or email. These guys are scammers and nothing else. Should be shut down.” – BBB reviewer, August 8, 2024
“It’s 8-2-2024, I engaged Tax Hardship Center almost 2 years ago. I made payments for services totaling $8,500 & completed my payment plan 3-2024. They prefer to converse through email but I’ve gone through 3 different representatives in 5 months with no more than 4 actual emails. I’ve called and left over 10 messages on their voicemail to no avail. I’ve responded and submitted requested information at least 8 times and have received NO RESPONSE. I’ve not been given a direct email address so I can send rather than respond to any emails. We began by filing tax returns, the first set took over a year to process and I ended up having to file a second time the following year because I was told the government was not responding. My current representative has been most recently appointed to my case. This was after 2 months of attempting to correspond with my previous representative. [The rep] obviously misread my account and assumed that I had a business of some type- which I don’t and never have. The representatives are polite but just don’t follow through. I’m frustrated beyond words and feel like I’m obligated with Tax Hardship because I’ve paid them $8,500 which was next to impossible for me to do. I just want return phone calls and responses to my emails. I don’t know what else to do.” – BBB reviewer, August 2, 2024
“I first contacted Tax Hardship Center LLC back in April 2022. They stated they could get me a substantial savings on my back taxes. I first paid the initial $495 to start the process. After that I paid over $5000. They said the process would take 6-9months for a resolution. It is now two years later and I still owe the IRS the same money I owed them from the start. The people stop responding to emails and are not answering the phones. I would like a refund and a response as to why they didn’t fulfill their end of the deal.” – BBB reviewer, July 19, 2024
“I contacted the tax hardship Center January 2024. My wife had just passed away on January 2nd. We had been in a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy for 5 years. During that bankruptcy we paid all our taxes off. Unfortunately, the 5 years of bankruptcy we did not pay those taxes. The tax hardship Center told me they could save me a substantial amount of money. It would cost me $3,000. First I had to send them $495 for them to investigate it. The person told me that I am a good candidate for substantial savings. I want to head and told them to investigate and send them the money. Over the next 6 months I sent them $550 each month. I had a very difficult time contacting them. Finally after they took all my money, they had somebody contact me from the resolution Department that said I had to pay the entire $28,000 back. They gave me three options, anywhere between $30,000 and 39,000 in total. I immediately canceled my debit card I had with them. I’ve been trying to contact them to get money back. I have left a voicemail canceling my contract with them. I have also sent an email canceling my contract with them. They still will not get back to me. Next to losing my wife this year this was the worst experience of my life.” – BBB reviewer, July 2, 2024

What services does Tax Hardship Center offer?

Tax Hardship Center provides a range of services to address various tax-related problems. Here’s a breakdown of what the company can help with:

Back tax debt and unfiled tax return resolution

The Center offers solutions for resolving back tax debt and unfiled tax returns, helping you navigate these issues with appropriate tax relief strategies.

Help with tax liens, bank levies, tax penalties, and wage garnishments

Tax Hardship Center works to protect clients from IRS or state collection actions, including resolving tax liens, bank levies, tax penalties, and wage garnishments.

Tax audit representation

If you’re facing a tax audit, the Center can handle all communications with the taxing authority and represent your interests throughout the audit process.

Tax preparation

The Center provides tax preparation services for both current and past-due years, covering individual, business, and payroll taxes.

Remote service nationwide

Located in California, the Tax Hardship Center serves clients remotely across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

How much does Tax Hardship Center cost?

Initial consultation

Your initial consultation with the Tax Hardship Center is free. This meeting allows you to discuss your tax issues and explore potential solutions without any upfront cost.

Fees

If you choose to proceed with the Center’s tax relief services, prices start at $495. The final cost depends on the specific services you require and the complexity of your tax issues. Tax Hardship Center backs its services with a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Customized case quote

After your initial consultation, you’ll get a customized case quote. According to the website, the average client fee is $3,750.

How much can Tax Hardship Center save me?

Tax Hardship Center doesn’t cite exactly how much it can save you, but customer reviews suggest that many clients see significant reductions in their tax debts. The savings vary depending on your unique situation and the complexity of your case.

This company did it all—stopped the IRS from going into my bank account and helped me pay less than I owed.

Susan, past Tax Hardship Center client

The quote above indicates that the Center’s services can address urgent tax issues and potentially lower your overall tax liability.

The actual amount you might save will depend on factors such as your current tax debt, the type of relief you qualify for, and how well your case is managed. While individual results can vary, the positive feedback from clients suggests that the Tax Hardship Center can help reduce tax burdens.

Pros & cons of Tax Hardship Center

Consider the pros and cons of tax relief services and this particular company before you proceed.

Pros

No work required from you
14-day money-back guarantee
Positive client reviews and ratings
No maximum tax debt
Can also assist with tax preparation

Cons

Need at least $10,000 in tax debt to qualify
The average customer pays $3,750 to resolve their tax-debt issues

Tax Hardship Center process

Working with the Tax Hardship Center is straightforward and involves a few steps:

Take the qualification quiz. Start by completing the Center’s qualification quiz to determine your eligibility for its services. This initial step helps you understand whether the Center can address your tax issues.
Call for a free consultation. Schedule a free consultation with the Center. During this call, a tax expert will review your situation, discuss your needs, and evaluate your tax issues.
Get a quote for a retainer fee. If you decide to proceed, you’ll get a quote for the retainer fee. You’ll also have the option to set up a payment plan that fits your budget.
Enable Power of Attorney. Authorize the Center to act on your behalf by granting Power of Attorney. This allows it to negotiate and communicate with the IRS regarding your case.
Stay in touch with your agent. Once your case is in progress, keep in contact with your assigned agent. They may need additional information or updates from you.

Alternatives to Tax Hardship Center

If you’re exploring options for resolving tax issues, Tax Hardship Center is just one of many potential choices. It’s always wise to compare different providers to find the best service and value for your needs.

To assist you in making an informed decision, check out our guide to the best tax relief firms for a comprehensive comparison.

FAQ

What type of tax debt can Tax Hardship Center help with?

The Tax Hardship Center can assist with both state and federal tax debts. It offers support for a range of tax issues, including personal, business, and payroll tax returns. Whether you need help resolving back taxes or filing current returns, the Center provides comprehensive services to address your needs.

How much tax debt do I need to work with the Center?

The Tax Hardship Center generally prefers clients with at least $10,000 in tax debt. This threshold helps ensure that its services are most effective for those with substantial tax issues.

Do I need professional assistance like the Center’s, or can I handle my tax debts myself?

While you can attempt to resolve your tax issues on your own, it often requires significant time and effort. For large tax debts, working with a professional like the Tax Hardship Center can be beneficial. Professionals have the expertise and resources to navigate complex tax situations and can potentially maximize your chances of a favorable outcome.

Does the Tax Hardship Center represent businesses too?

Yes, the Tax Hardship Center provides tax relief services for businesses as well. In addition to handling business tax troubles, it also offers business tax preparation services to ensure your company’s tax filings are accurate and up-to-date.

Does it really work?

Tax Hardship Center earns positive client feedback. While we haven’t personally used the service, the high rating suggests that many clients have found the Center’s services effective in addressing their tax issues.

How we rated Tax Hardship Center

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

We compared Tax Hardship Center to several tax relief firms, 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, recapped below.

Product	Our rating
Tax Hardship Center tax relief	4.3/5