Tax Relief Advocates Review

3.3 _/5

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Tax Relief Services

• Uses IRS tax relief programs and helps you navigate the system
• Money-back guarantee
• Easy to use

• Fees vary depending on complexity but are usually $2,000 or higher
• Two-part process begins with a $795 retainer fee and investigation
• Lack of transparency on website

Tax Relief Advocates assists clients in navigating complex tax issues, offering offers in compromise, hardship relief, installment agreements, and more to help manage tax debt and other challenges. These options are available directly through the IRS, but Tax Relief Advocates can simplify and expedite the process for those feeling overwhelmed or too busy to handle tax matters on their own.

With thousands of positive customer reviews across platforms including the Better Business Bureau, many clients commend the company for its knowledgeable and responsive service. However, several negative reviews highlight issues with long case resolutions and inconsistent communication. We also found that the company’s website lacks transparency. As with any tax relief service, it’s important to weigh these factors and consider whether the convenience and expertise justify the cost.

Since Tax Relief Advocates has earned a less-than-excellent rating from our team of experienced editors and certified financial professionals, we strongly recommend exploring alternatives.

Is Tax Relief Advocates legit?

Tax Relief Advocates has thousands of reviews on Google and several hundred on other sites, including the Better Business Bureau. Most reviewers are satisfied with the company’s service and state that many of the client teams are friendly, responsive, and knowledgeable. 

Negative reviews, on the other hand, are often from customers with ongoing cases. Multiple reviewers mention that it’s been over a year since they started working with Tax Relief Advocates, and there has yet to be a resolution. Other customers state that they work with multiple representatives, some of whom know nothing about their case, which prolongs the process. 

Tax Relief Advocates customer reviews and complaints

Source	Customer rating	Number of reviews
Yelp	2.6/5	142
Google	4.7/5	2,666
Better Business Bureau (BBB)	4.23/5	872

How does Tax Relief Advocates work?

Founded in 2017, Tax Relief Advocates (TRA) specializes in helping taxpayers navigate complex tax issues, including tax debt, bank levies, wage garnishments, and IRS audits. With expertise in federal and state tax debt solutions, TRA is committed to finding the best resolution for each client’s unique situation.

Here’s more about how it works.

Initial contact and onboarding

To begin with Tax Relief Advocates, call 800-388-3664. During this initial call, a representative will ask about your tax situation, including how much you owe and details about your income, assets, and expenses.

Retainer fee and investigation

Once prequalified, you must pay a $795 retainer fee to start the process. This fee allows the company to investigate your tax situation, typically taking about a week. After the investigation, TRA will provide a full report detailing the next steps and the total cost of its services.

Cost structure and resolution timeline

The cost of working with TRA varies depending on the complexity of your case. While the initial retainer fee is a flat rate, the final service fees depend on how complicated your situation is and how long it will take to resolve. The entire process, from investigation to resolution, can take several weeks or months.

What is Tax Relief Advocates’ minimum required tax debt?

Tax Relief Advocates does not disclose a specific minimum required tax debt for its services, which aligns with the broader transparency issues we’ve noted about the company.

Despite our efforts to confirm this information, it has not provided clear details on the minimum debt amount necessary to qualify for assistance. This lack of transparency can make it challenging for potential clients to determine whether Tax Relief Advocates is the right fit for their needs without first engaging directly with the company. If you’re considering its services, reaching out to understand the requirements is essential to see whether TRA aligns with your financial situation.

What services does Tax Relief Advocates offer? 

Tax Relief Advocates helps clients determine which tax repayment program makes the most sense. The company uses IRS and state tax programs to resolve tax debt and other issues. 

Tax debt solutions

Tax Relief Advocates helps clients find the most appropriate tax repayment programs, including offers in compromise, hardship relief, and installment agreements. These programs are available through the IRS, but TRA can assist in navigating the complexities.

Bank levies and wage garnishments

If you’re facing a bank levy or wage garnishment, TRA can help you negotiate with the IRS to stop these actions and find a more manageable solution for paying your tax debt.

IRS audits

For those undergoing an IRS or state tax audit, TRA provides guidance through the audit process, helping you respond and, if needed, request extensions.

How much does Tax Relief Advocates cost?

Here are several costs to be aware of if you’re considering TRA. 

Retainer and service fees

The initial cost to start with Tax Relief Advocates is a $795 retainer fee. After the investigation, you’ll get a detailed report and the total service fee required to proceed. The retainer fee is deducted from the final cost.

Money-back guarantee

TRA offers a money-back guarantee if the company can’t save you more than the initial retainer fee. However, once you decide to move forward and pay the total service fee, refunds are no longer available.

Cost	Details
Initial fee	$795; payment plans and $100 first-time customer discount available
Service fee	Varies; sample fees range from $2,500 – $4,800 for $20,000 in tax debt
Other fees	None

How much can Tax Relief Advocates save me?

TRA can help reduce the amount you owe by negotiating with the IRS to reduce interest fees, penalties, and even the principal amount through programs such as offers in compromise. The minimum expected savings should be at least $795 based on the money-back guarantee.

Pros and cons of Tax Relief Advocates

Tax Relief Advocates can help you navigate overwhelming tax situations and find practical solutions, but the services have a cost. Here are potential benefits and drawbacks.

Pros

• Money-back guarantee

  Tax Relief Advocates offer a money-back guarantee if you can’t save more than the retainer fee of $795.

• Easy to use

  The process is straightforward, with a quick initial investigation.

• Quick investigation

  The company completes its initial investigation within a week, faster than many competitors.

Cons

• Variable pricing

  Final costs are not transparent upfront and depend on the complexity of your case

• You can resolve it on your own

  You don’t need to work with a tax relief company to resolve your tax issues. You can work with the IRS or state tax board, saving you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

• Information not easily accessible

  The company’s website provides minimal details about pricing and the onboarding process, making it difficult to evaluate the service without direct contact.

If you’re unsure whether Tax Relief Advocates is right for you, check out our resources:

• Best tax relief companies
• List of reviewed personal finance companies

Tax Relief Advocates alternatives

While Tax Relief Advocates offers valuable assistance in navigating complex tax issues, exploring other companies can help you find the best service for your specific needs. Here are alternatives that stand out as strong contenders in the tax relief industry:

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

How do you start working with Tax Relief Advocates? 

The process of starting to work with Tax Relief Advocates is straightforward. Here’s what you can expect. 

1. Call or request a call: Call 800-388-3664 or request a call online by providing basic information. 
2. Prequalify: During the call, provide details about your tax situation to determine whether TRA can assist. 
3. Retainer fee: Pay the $795 retainer fee to begin the investigation. 
4. Review the plan: After one week, get a report with the proposed plan, savings, and total costs.
5. Service fee: If satisfied, pay the service fee to proceed with the resolution process. 
6. Begin the process: Depending on the complexity, resolving your tax situation may take weeks or months.  

Does Tax Relief Advocates have a customer service team?

TRA’s customer service team is based in Irvine, California, and is available by phone, email, or mail. Once you start working with a team member, you’ll have direct contact information for ongoing support.

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone number: 800-388-3664
• Mailing address: 16808 Armstrong Suite 215 Irvine, CA 92606

Tax Relief Advocates FAQ

Can Tax Relief Advocates eliminate all my tax debt?

Tax Relief Advocates has a successful track record of lowering tax debt, but it doesn’t guarantee the complete elimination of all tax liabilities. Its outcomes vary depending on individual tax situations and the IRS’s final decisions.

Why aren’t the costs listed on its website?

TRA doesn’t list costs upfront because the total fees depend on the complexity and specifics of each client’s tax situation. Exact costs are provided after an initial investigation.

How we rated Tax Relief Advocates

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 Relief Advocates to 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, recapped below.

Product	Our rating
Tax Relief Advocates tax relief	3.3/5