Facing tax difficulties and considering Optima Tax Relief? This optima tax relief review scrutinizes the company’s services and client satisfaction, helping you better understand their approach to tax resolutions. Find out if Optima Tax Relief lives up to its reputation with a no-nonsense breakdown of what they offer and how effective they’ve been for past clients.
Key Takeaways
Optima Tax Relief offers a suite of tax-related services including aid with audits, resolving tax liabilities, and stopping collections, and is praised for its professionalism and tailored approach to tax resolution.
They have a three-step process focused on protecting clients from aggressive collection tactics, ensuring IRS compliance, and negotiating the best resolutions, with a remarkable amount of over $1 billion in tax liabilities resolved.
Pricing for Optima’s services includes a free initial consultation, a $295 fee for the investigation phase with a 15-day money-back guarantee, and variable fees for the resolution phase that can range from a few hundred to $5,000.
Optima Tax Relief Overview
Optima Tax Relief is renowned for their unwavering commitment to assisting clients in handling their tax dilemmas. They offer a diverse array of services, including:
Aid with tax audits
Resolving tax liabilities
Halting wage garnishments and bank levies
Tax preparation and filing overdue returns
With a team of licensed tax professionals, including tax attorneys, CPAs, and Enrolled Agents, Optima ensures your tax problems are handled by experts.
Like other tax relief companies, Optima charges for its services. However, the level of expertise and customization they bring to the table sets them apart. Their approach to resolving tax liabilities is tailored to each client’s unique situation, ensuring the best possible outcome.
One standout feature of Optima is their complimentary initial consultation. It aims to provide clients with clarity on their tax position and potential remedies. The consultation is carried out by a team of tax attorneys, CPAs, and Enrolled Agents who have the qualifications to represent clients before the IRS.
Services Offered
Optima Tax Relief’s services are designed to provide comprehensive support for clients facing tax issues. The initial consultation allows clients to engage with a tax professional to review their individual tax circumstances and receive guidance. This is a crucial first step in understanding the extent of the tax issue and exploring potential solutions.
Upon completion of the initial consultation, Optima provides a multitude of services, including:
Tax relief assistance programs
Tax preparation
Audit representation
Lien and levy releases
Wage garnishment assistance
Managing IRS interactions
Optima covers a broad spectrum of tax-related issues. The investigation phase, an integral part of their service, involves a thorough examination of the client’s tax issues to develop a customized strategy for resolution.
Company Reputation
Optima Tax Relief has built a strong reputation in the tax relief sector, reflected in the company’s high customer satisfaction rating on TrustPilot. The company’s reputation is further bolstered by over 3,000 reviews on TrustPilot, with a 79% satisfaction rating, demonstrating their commitment to exceptional customer service.
Customers often mention the company’s professionalism and timely response to inquiries, contributing to their positive image. However, like any company, Optima has also received some negative feedback. These criticisms generally relate to communication issues or concerns about the fees associated with the services.
Despite these criticisms, the majority of customer experiences reflect a high level of satisfaction with Optima’s tax relief services.
Optima Tax Relief’s Three-Step Process
Optima Tax Relief utilizes a unique three-tiered process to aid clients in resolving their tax problems. This process includes an initial consultation, a comprehensive examination of the client’s tax liabilities, and the execution of a resolution plan.
This structured approach ensures that each client’s tax issues are thoroughly investigated and addressed with a tailored resolution strategy.
Client Protection
Client protection is the initial phase of Optima’s process. This involves implementing measures to halt aggressive collection actions by the IRS and state tax agencies. Such actions can include issuing notices of levy on salary, income, bank accounts, or property, assessing tax liens on property, and making aggressive calls posing as IRS agents.
Optima Tax Relief addresses these challenges by:
Initiating negotiations with the IRS during the investigation phase
Ensuring the filing of any unfiled tax returns
Striving to secure a currently-not-collectible (CNC) status for their clients
This proactive approach helps clients avoid undue stress and financial hardship.
IRS Compliance
The subsequent phase in the process involves guaranteeing IRS compliance. This involves helping clients become up-to-date with their tax filings and payments. Compliance is crucial to avoid penalties and sanctions from the IRS.
Optima assists clients in achieving IRS compliance by providing guidance during tax audits, facilitating the resolution of tax liability, and halting wage garnishments and bank levies. They also refer cases involving less than $10,000 in back taxes to a reputable partner with expertise in addressing smaller tax liabilities, ensuring that all clients receive the help they need, regardless of the size of their tax issue.
Achieving the Best Resolution
The concluding phase in Optima’s process is dedicated to securing the most advantageous resolution. This involves negotiating with the IRS to achieve the best possible outcome for the client’s tax liabilities.
Optima’s team of experts works diligently to reduce clients’ tax burdens, having successfully resolved over $1 billion in tax liabilities. They carefully consider the taxpayer’s financial circumstances and the IRS criteria for eligibility for a tax settlement or Offer in Compromise. However, it should be noted that while every effort is made to achieve the most favorable outcome, Optima cannot guarantee a specific result or reduction in tax liability.
Pricing and Fees
When deliberating on a tax relief company, comprehending the cost of services is vital. Optima Tax Relief operates on a pricing structure that includes fees for an initial consultation, a flat fee for the investigation phase, and variable fees for the resolution phase.
Initial Consultation
Optima Tax Relief provides the initial consultation free of charge. During this consultation, potential clients can discuss their tax concerns with a professional from the company’s Investigation Department, providing an opportunity to understand the scope of their tax issues.
This consultation is carried out by a team of tax attorneys, CPAs, and Enrolled Agents who have the qualifications to represent clients before the IRS. As tax professionals, they ensure that every client receives expert advice and guidance right from the start, with the support of a skilled tax attorney.
Investigation Phase
Subsequent to the initial consultation, the process proceeds to the investigation phase. This phase costs $295, and Optima Tax Relief provides a 15-day money-back guarantee specifically for fees paid during this phase.
During the investigation phase, the company collects essential information to evaluate the client’s tax situation. This includes conducting a thorough examination of the client’s tax issues to develop a customized strategy for resolution.
Resolution Phase
The concluding part of Optima’s pricing structure is the resolution phase. The fees for this phase can vary between a few hundred dollars and $5,000, and are determined by the unique details of the case.
The resolution phase involves providing services such as free tax consultation, tax liability investigation, and proposing a resolution. Fees may escalate to around $5,000 for cases necessitating additional work, such as those entailing wage garnishments, bank levies, liens, and other IRS collection actions.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Client feedback offers invaluable understanding into the quality of a company’s offerings. Optima Tax Relief has received a mix of positive and negative feedback, reflecting the varied experiences of clients.
Positive Feedback
The positive reviews emphasize the following about Optima:
Professionalism
Caring attitude
Thoroughness
Patience
Helpfulness
Respect
Prompt phone calls throughout the process
Clients have praised these qualities and have appreciated the overall experience with Optima.
Optima Tax Relief has achieved a commendable rating of 4.5 stars based on over 29,000 reviews. Positive feedback includes:
High customer satisfaction
Professionalism
Respectful and friendly approach
Effective resolution of tax issues.
Negative Feedback
Despite the positive reviews, Optima Tax Relief has also received some negative feedback. Common critiques include difficulties with communication, lack of transparency in pricing, and dissatisfaction with the resolution outcome.
However, it is noteworthy that Optima Tax Relief manages negative feedback by utilizing pre-determined responses and making sure to address all negative reviews, with the goal of responding within 24 hours to every instance of such feedback.
Comparing Optima Tax Relief to Competitors
Contrasting Optima Tax Relief with its competitors can offer enhanced comprehension of the company’s strong points and limitations. In terms of services, pricing, and reputation, Optima holds its ground against other prominent firms in the tax relief industry.
Key Differences
Key differences between Optima and its competitors include:
Pricing structures: Optima’s pricing typically offers resolution fees ranging from $995 to $5,000, while competitors may have a starting threshold as low as $500 and average resolution fees between $1,500 and $5,000.
Customer service options: Optima offers 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat, while competitors may have limited customer service hours or only offer phone support.
Range of tax issues addressed: Optima specializes in a wide range of tax issues, including IRS audits, tax debt relief, and tax preparation, while competitors may have a narrower focus.
The company’s customer service is distinguished by positive reviews that frequently highlight their friendly, professional, and timely support. Also, Optima offers a comprehensive range of services that encompass state tax issues, distinguishing them from some of their competitors and offering clients a wider array of tax resolution solutions.
Similarities
Similar to other tax relief companies, Optima follows a three-step process for resolving tax issues. This includes a free consultation, an investigation of tax issues, and the identification of resolutions.
Additionally, like most tax relief companies, Optima focuses on providing assistance with unpaid taxes, unfiled returns, and addressing incorrect assessments. Their primary focus areas include marketing, sales, and delivering high-quality services to attract new clients.
Do You Need a Tax Relief Company?
The decision to engage a tax relief company is a significant one that depends on your individual tax situation, financial resources, and ability to navigate the tax resolution process. Before engaging a tax relief company, it is advisable to:
Perform thorough research
Evaluate your specific tax relief needs
Assess the experience and credentials of the tax relief professionals
Understand the fee structure and payment options
Pros of Hiring a Tax Relief Company
Engaging a tax relief company can yield multiple advantages. Professional expertise significantly influences the outcome by providing specific knowledge and guidance to navigate the complexities of the IRS.
Moreover, engaging a tax relief company can potentially save clients money by:
negotiating with the IRS to reduce or eliminate the amount owed
securing a payment plan that is more manageable for the client
helping the client qualify for tax credits or deductions
providing expert advice on tax planning and strategies
This can lead to a significant improvement in the client’s financial situation by alleviating their tax burden through Larson Tax Relief.
Cons of Hiring a Tax Relief Company
Nonetheless, employing a tax relief company does come with certain drawbacks. The costs associated with engaging the services of a tax relief company can be substantial, as tax relief companies charge significant fees, and the company cannot guarantee the desired outcome.
Additionally, the IRS offers a range of complimentary resources to aid in addressing tax-related concerns, such as free assistance in resolving tax disputes and complimentary tax return preparation for eligible taxpayers. These free resources may be sufficient for individuals who are comfortable navigating the tax resolution process independently, without the need for tax resolution services.
Summary
In summary, Optima Tax Relief offers a comprehensive range of services to help clients resolve their tax issues. The company stands out with its unique three-step process, professional expertise, and a strong reputation in the industry. While they do charge for their services, the potential benefits of professional tax resolution, such as reduced tax liabilities and peace of mind, may outweigh the costs.
However, it’s important to note that while hiring a tax relief company can provide valuable assistance, it doesn’t absolve individuals from their responsibility towards their tax obligations. Therefore, it’s crucial to make an informed decision based on your unique tax situation, financial resources, and comfort level with navigating the tax resolution process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will the IRS usually settle for?
The IRS usually settles for an amount it deems you can feasibly pay based on your assets, income, monthly expenses, and savings. The average settlement on an OIC is around $5,240.
How much does it cost to use Optima Tax Relief?
On average, customers may expect to pay around $4,000 in fees to Optima Tax Relief, and the company charges about 5–15 percent of the tax debt for their services. Additionally, they require a minimum tax debt of $10,000 for their services.
What is the class action lawsuit against Optima Tax Relief?
The class action lawsuit against Optima Tax Relief includes allegations of misconduct, negligence, and potential violations of consumer protection laws, such as unfulfilled promises, misleading information, excessive fees, lack of communication, and unauthorized actions. These allegations have been brought forth in the lawsuit.
Is it worth using a tax relief company?
It’s not worth using a tax relief company, as many of them engage in scams and charge high fees without delivering on their promises. Be cautious and do thorough research before hiring a company to avoid potential financial setbacks.
What services does Optima Tax Relief offer?
Optima Tax Relief offers services such as tax audits, resolving tax liabilities, halting wage garnishments and bank levies, and tax preparation and filing overdue returns. These services can help you address various tax-related issues.
