Tax Relief Advocates (TRA) Review 2025: Services, Costs, and Alternatives

3.7 _/5

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We only recommend tax relief companies with a LendEDU editorial rating of 4.0 and above. TRA falls below this minimum. Please consider our roundup of best tax relief services for alternatives.

Tax Relief Services

• Uses IRS tax relief programs and helps you navigate the system
• Money-back guarantee
• Easy to use
• Minimum balance of typically $5,000+, but cases as low as $3,000 considered

• 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

📞 (800) 575-2063

Contact Tax Relief Advocates

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.

Table of Contents

1. How Tax Relief Advocates (TRA) works
   1. Free consultation with a tax professional
   2. Back tax assistance and case review
   3. Investigation to resolution
   4. Money-back guarantee
2. TRA tax relief services offered
   1. Back Tax Assistance and Fresh Start Program support
   2. Offers in Compromise and affordable installment agreements
   3. Relief from penalties and unmanageable collections
   4. Stopping garnishments, levies, and liens
   5. Audit representation and appeals
   6. Tax preparation and filing unfiled returns
3. Tax Relief Advocates costs
   1. How much can Tax Relief Advocates save me?
   2. Can Tax Relief Advocates eliminate all my tax debt?
4. What is TRA’s minimum required tax debt?
5. Is Tax Relief Advocates legit? Reviews and complaints
6. Pros and cons of Tax Relief Advocates
7. Tax Relief Advocates alternatives
   1. TRA vs. Anthem Tax Services
   2. TRA vs. Larson Tax Relief
   3. TRA vs. Alleviate Tax
   4. TRA vs. BC Tax
8. How do you start working with Tax Relief Advocates? 
9. Tax Relief Advocates customer service

How Tax Relief Advocates (TRA) works

Founded in 2017, Tax Relief Advocates (TRA) markets itself as providing personalized tax relief through a team of tax attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents. The company highlights credentials such as its A+ BBB rating and the 2021 Torch Award for Ethics, as well as recognition as a certified Great Place to Work.

Free consultation with a tax professional

To start, you can call TRA at (800) 575-2063 for a free consultation. During this initial call, you’ll share details about your back taxes, income, and financial situation. TRA promotes its ability to help clients find “freedom from back taxes in as little as six to eight weeks,” though results will vary based on case complexity and IRS timelines.

Back tax assistance and case review

After prequalification, clients pay a $795 retainer fee for TRA’s tax investigation and case review. Over about one week, TRA examines IRS and state transcripts, income, assets, and compliance history. You’ll then receive a report with recommended options and an estimate of service costs.

Investigation to resolution

TRA positions its services under the banner of back tax assistance, offering strategies tailored to each client. Once the investigation is complete, the company begins working toward the best resolution available—whether that’s negotiating a settlement, securing penalty relief, or setting up an installment plan.

Money-back guarantee

TRA backs its initial investigation phase with a money-back guarantee. If it cannot save you more than the $795 retainer, you can request a refund. However, once you move forward with the full service agreement, refunds are no longer available.

TRA tax relief services offered

Tax Relief Advocates focuses on creating personalized strategies to resolve IRS and state tax debt. Drawing on the expertise of tax attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents, TRA guides clients through programs like the IRS Fresh Start Program along with other established relief options.

Back Tax Assistance and Fresh Start Program support

TRA helps clients take advantage of options available through the IRS Fresh Start Program, including payment plans and settlement opportunities designed to make tax debt more manageable.

Offers in Compromise and affordable installment agreements

For eligible taxpayers, TRA negotiates an Offer in Compromise, which can reduce the total debt owed. When settlement isn’t an option, it works to secure affordable installment agreements that fit within your budget.

Relief from penalties and unmanageable collections

TRA pursues penalty abatement to reduce or eliminate added IRS charges. For clients in financial hardship, it can request Currently Not Collectible status, which temporarily halts collections.

Stopping garnishments, levies, and liens

Through its back tax assistance program, TRA provides urgent help to stop wage garnishments, remove or release bank levies, and guide clients through lien withdrawal requests.

Audit representation and appeals

If you’re facing an IRS audit, TRA offers audit defense and direct representation during the appeals process, helping protect your rights and secure a favorable outcome.

Tax preparation and filing unfiled returns

Beyond resolution, TRA also supports compliance with individual and business tax preparation and assistance filing unfiled or late returns—often a necessary step before moving forward with IRS negotiations.

Tax Relief Advocates costs

TRA’s $795 fee is significantly higher than the free discovery process offered by Larson Tax Relief and others. We’ve also reviewed several companies with discovery fees, and the average is around $500.

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

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.

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.

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.

What is TRA’s minimum required tax debt?

Tax Relief Advocates does not publish an official minimum tax debt requirement, but in practice it typically works with clients who owe $5,000 or more. In some cases, it may consider accounts with as little as $3,000 owed, depending on the situation.

Because TRA doesn’t clearly disclose this threshold on its website or marketing materials, potential clients may find it difficult to know upfront if they qualify. If you’re considering its services, it’s best to reach out directly to confirm whether your debt amount meets its requirements.

Is Tax Relief Advocates legit? Reviews and complaints

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. 

Source	Customer rating	Number of reviews
Google	4.7/5	5,074
Better Business Bureau (BBB)	4.29/5	1,398

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.

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

TRA vs. Anthem Tax Services

Anthem Tax Services is known for its money-back guarantee and long-standing industry experience. Compared with TRA, Anthem emphasizes client satisfaction and backs its services with a broader refund policy, which may appeal to those seeking added peace of mind.

TRA vs. Larson Tax Relief

Larson Tax Relief has over 15 years of experience and is recognized for its Best Initial Investigation process. Unlike TRA, Larson offers a free discovery phase before fees begin, which could be attractive to clients who want to evaluate their options at no upfront cost.

TRA vs. Alleviate Tax

Alleviate Tax is a newer firm but has gained traction for its customer-first approach and accessible services. While TRA markets “freedom from back taxes in as little as 6–8 weeks,” Alleviate focuses more on affordability and approachable service, making it a viable alternative for budget-conscious taxpayers.

TRA vs. BC Tax

BC Tax stands out for transparent expectations and clear communication throughout the tax resolution process. Compared with TRA’s emphasis on branded programs like the Fresh Start Program, BC Tax highlights transparency and education, which may appeal to clients who value upfront clarity about their case.

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) 575-2063 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.  

Tax Relief Advocates customer service

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) 575-2063
• Mailing address: 16808 Armstrong Suite 215 Irvine, CA 92606

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.