Best Tax Relief Companies of 2026
Optima Tax Relief is our top pick among tax relief companies because its team includes tax attorneys, it lists the full range of IRS resolution services and it publishes the conditions of its money-back guarantee in plain words. Anthem Tax Services is the strongest alternative for people who want enrolled agents and a written explanation of costs before they commit, and Blueprint Resolution Services is our pick for an enrolled-agent-led first consultation. The IRS, not any company, decides who qualifies for an offer in compromise or other relief, and you can always contact the IRS directly at no cost.
Our ranking of the best tax relief companies
-
#1
Optima Tax Relief
Best overallTax resolution firm with tax attorneys on staff, a phased process and a published money-back guarantee with clear limits.
- Tax attorneys and licensed tax professionals named on its site
- Free consultation, then investigation and resolution phases
- Offer in compromise, installment plans, CNC status and penalty abatement
- Levy, lien, wage garnishment and audit help
-
#2
Anthem Tax Services
Best for clear costs upfrontEnrolled-agent tax resolution firm that explains costs before you commit and publishes the limits of its refund guarantee.
- Enrolled agents handle your case and IRS contact
- Free consultation, investigation, plan and resolution steps
- Installment agreements, offers in compromise and CNC status
- Penalty abatement, levy and wage garnishment help
-
#3
Blueprint Resolution Services
Best enrolled-agent consultationTax resolution firm where your first consultation is with a licensed enrolled agent, not a salesperson.
- Free first consultation with a licensed enrolled agent
- Co-founders include enrolled agents and attorneys
- Tax resolution, tax preparation and bookkeeping
- Works with individuals and businesses nationwide
-
#4
Tax Hardship Center
Best for wide service rangeTax resolution firm with enrolled agents, CPAs and attorneys and one of the widest service lists we reviewed.
- Enrolled agents, CPAs and attorneys named as representatives
- Free consultation and case analysis
- Offer in compromise, installment agreements, CNC and penalty abatement
- Innocent spouse relief, levies, liens and wage garnishment
-
#5
Tax Group Center
Best mix of professionalsCalifornia-based tax firm with attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents covering IRS and state tax problems.
- Tax attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents on its team
- Free, no-obligation consultation
- Offer in compromise, installment agreements, CNC and penalty abatement
- Payroll tax, innocent spouse and audit appeals help
-
#6
Tax Relief Helpers
Best for no upfront feesAttorney-led tax resolution firm that says it does not charge upfront fees, with a Spanish-language site.
- Attorney-led representation with enrolled agents
- Says it does not charge upfront fees
- Free private consultation
- Offer in compromise, CNC, penalty abatement and installment agreements
-
#7
Tax Relief Advocates
Best for audit and levy helpIrvine, California tax resolution firm with attorneys and a three-phase process for audits, levies and tax debt.
- Attorneys and tax relief experts on its team
- Free consultation, investigation and resolution phases
- Help with audits, wage garnishments and bank levies
- Based in Irvine, California
A tax relief company represents you before the IRS or a state tax agency when you owe back taxes you cannot pay. It typically reviews your IRS records, files any missing returns and then asks the IRS for a resolution such as a payment plan, an offer in compromise, penalty relief or a pause in collection. The company does not have any special program of its own: it applies for the same options any taxpayer can request directly from the IRS.
We compared seven US tax resolution firms on how clearly they explain fees and refunds, who actually handles your case and what services they offer. Everything below comes from each company's own site, which we checked in November 2026. Fees are not published by most of these firms and depend on your case, so get every fee and refund condition in writing before you sign anything.
Tax Relief compared side by side
Sort by rank, name or score. Tick "Compare" on any two or three providers above to see them side by side.
| Best for | Who handles your case | How fees work | Refund policy | Link | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Optima Tax Relief |
Best overall | Tax attorneys and licensed tax professionals | Based on case complexity; quoted after a consultation | Investigation Phase fee refundable within 15 days of signing (check terms) | 9.1 | Visit site (Optima Tax Relief, opens in a new tab) |
| #2 | Anthem Tax Services |
Best for clear costs upfront | Enrolled agents | Explained during a planning step before you commit | Money-back guarantee; excludes bookkeeping, tax prep and minimum deposit (check terms) | 8.8 | Visit site (Anthem Tax Services, opens in a new tab) |
| #3 | Blueprint Resolution Services |
Best enrolled-agent consultation | Enrolled agents; co-founders include EAs and attorneys | Not published; ask for a written quote | Not published on its site | 8.6 | Visit site (Blueprint Resolution Services, opens in a new tab) |
| #4 | Tax Hardship Center |
Best for wide service range | Enrolled agents, CPAs and attorneys | Advertises "no resolution, no fee"; get terms in writing | Mentioned but conditions not detailed on homepage | 8.5 | Visit site (Tax Hardship Center, opens in a new tab) |
| #5 | Tax Group Center |
Best mix of professionals | Tax attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents and CTEC preparers | Not published; free consultation first | Mentions a price protection policy; ask for terms | 8.4 | Visit site (Tax Group Center, opens in a new tab) |
| #6 | Tax Relief Helpers |
Best for no upfront fees | Attorney-led, with enrolled agents | Says no upfront fees; amounts not published | Not published on its site | 8.2 | Visit site (Tax Relief Helpers, opens in a new tab) |
| #7 | Tax Relief Advocates |
Best for audit and levy help | Tax relief experts and attorneys | Not published; may vary by state | Not published on its site | 7.9 | Visit site (Tax Relief Advocates, opens in a new tab) |
Top picks by use case
Tax attorneys on staff, a full list of IRS services and money-back terms published with clear limits.
Read our Optima Tax Relief reviewEnrolled agents handle your case, and it says it explains what the work costs before you commit.
Read our Anthem Tax Services reviewEvery first consultation is with a federally licensed enrolled agent rather than a salesperson.
Read our Blueprint Resolution Services reviewEnrolled agents, CPAs and attorneys covering everything from offers in compromise to bookkeeping.
Read our Tax Hardship Center reviewIts FAQ says it does not charge upfront fees, and its representation is attorney-led.
Read our Tax Relief Helpers reviewHow we chose
We score tax relief companies on how honestly they explain cost and outcomes, who does the work, and what they can actually help with. We do not score how much a company says it has saved clients, because those figures are self-reported and every case depends on the IRS's decision. Each company gets a weighted score out of 10 across five criteria, based on our review of its own website in November 2026.
Does the company explain how it charges (for example, by phase or after a case review), when you pay and what any refund or money-back policy covers, with conditions stated on its own site?
Does the company say that enrolled agents, CPAs or tax attorneys, the professionals the IRS allows to represent taxpayers, handle cases and contact the IRS?
Coverage of offers in compromise, installment agreements, currently-not-collectible status, penalty abatement, levy and lien help, audits, unfiled returns and state tax debt.
Does the site make clear that results vary and the IRS decides eligibility, rather than implying guaranteed results or special access to IRS programs?
Is there a free first consultation, and does the company explain its steps (consultation, investigation, resolution) before you commit?
Buying guide: how to choose
What a tax relief company actually does
A tax relief company represents you before the IRS or a state tax agency. After you sign a power of attorney (IRS Form 2848), it can pull your IRS transcripts, talk to the IRS for you, file missing returns and apply for a resolution.
The options it applies for are the same ones open to every taxpayer: an installment agreement, an offer in compromise, currently-not-collectible status, penalty abatement or innocent spouse relief. There is no private program, and the IRS decides every request. Our guide to how tax relief companies work and what they charge goes into more detail.
Who should handle your case
Only certain professionals can represent you fully before the IRS: enrolled agents, CPAs and attorneys. Enrolled agents are licensed by the IRS itself and specialize in tax. Tax attorneys are most useful if there is a legal dispute, a possible criminal issue or a case headed to Tax Court.
Ask who will actually work on your file and contact the IRS, not just who answers the first call. Our guide on when to hire an enrolled agent, CPA or tax attorney explains the differences.
How to read fees and refund promises
Most tax relief firms do not publish prices. Many charge in phases, often a fee for an investigation phase and another for the resolution work, and the total depends on your case.
Before you sign, ask for:
- Every fee, what it covers and when it is due
- What happens if the IRS rejects the request
- The exact refund conditions, in writing
A refund promise is only as good as its conditions. Optima Tax Relief and Anthem Tax Services both publish what their guarantees cover and exclude, which makes them easier to compare.
Warning signs to watch for
The FTC and IRS both warn about tax relief companies that overpromise. Be cautious if a company:
- Says it can settle your debt for pennies on the dollar before reviewing your finances
- Promises that you qualify for an offer in compromise or the Fresh Start program
- Pressures you to pay a large fee before it has looked at your IRS records
- Will not tell you who will handle your case
No company can promise results, because the IRS decides.
When you may not need a company at all
If you can pay what you owe over time, you can often set up an IRS payment plan yourself online. The IRS also has an offer in compromise pre-qualifier tool on IRS.gov, and you can request first-time penalty abatement by contacting the IRS directly.
If you have a low income or face a financial hardship, the Taxpayer Advocate Service and Low Income Taxpayer Clinics can help for free or at low cost. Our guide to offers in compromise, installment agreements and CNC status explains which option may fit.
Head-to-head comparisons
Optima Tax Relief vs Anthem Tax Services
Choose Optima Tax Relief if you want a larger firm with tax attorneys on staff and a published refund window for its investigation fee.
ComparisonBlueprint Resolution Services vs Tax Hardship Center
Choose Blueprint Resolution Services if you want your very first conversation to be with a licensed enrolled agent and prefer a firm that avoids big promises.
ComparisonTax Relief Helpers vs Tax Group Center
Choose Tax Relief Helpers if you do not want to pay before work starts and want attorney-led representation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tax relief company?
In our editorial ranking, Optima Tax Relief is the best tax relief company overall because it has tax attorneys on staff, covers the full range of IRS services and publishes clear money-back terms. Anthem Tax Services is our pick for clear costs upfront. The right choice depends on your case, and the IRS decides every outcome.
Can a tax relief company reduce what I owe the IRS?
Sometimes, but only if the IRS agrees. A company can apply for an offer in compromise or penalty abatement on your behalf, but the IRS decides whether you qualify based on your income, expenses, assets and history. Many people end up on a payment plan rather than a settlement.
What is the IRS Fresh Start program?
Fresh Start is the name the IRS gave to a set of policy changes that made installment agreements, offers in compromise and lien withdrawals easier to get. It is not a separate program a company can enroll you in. The IRS decides eligibility, and you can apply for the same options yourself.
Can I deal with the IRS myself?
Yes. You can contact the IRS directly at no cost, set up many payment plans online and use the IRS's offer in compromise pre-qualifier tool. A professional is most useful for complex cases, large balances, audits or enforced collection such as levies.
How much do tax relief companies charge?
Most firms do not publish prices. Fees depend on the company and the complexity of your case, and many firms charge in phases, such as an investigation fee followed by a resolution fee. Always get every fee and refund condition in writing before you sign.
Do tax relief companies offer money-back guarantees?
Some do, with conditions. For example, Optima Tax Relief's site says it refunds the Investigation Phase fee if you ask within 15 days of signing, and Anthem Tax Services says its guarantee excludes the minimum deposit and some services. Read the written terms before relying on any guarantee.
Will hiring a tax relief company stop IRS collections?
Not automatically. A representative can ask the IRS to pause collection while a request is considered, and some resolutions, such as an installment agreement or currently-not-collectible status, generally stop levies. Interest and penalties usually keep accruing until the debt is paid.
Are you a tax relief company?
No. We are not a law firm, tax preparer or tax adviser, and we do not represent taxpayers. We compare tax relief companies using a published editorial methodology.
Tax Relief guides
All tax relief guidesHandle the IRS Yourself or Hire an Enrolled Agent, CPA or Tax Attorney?
When to deal with the IRS on your own and when to hire an enrolled agent, CPA or tax attorney, plus free help options and how to check credentials.
Tax Relief guideHow Tax Relief Companies Work and What They Charge
How tax relief companies work, what they can and cannot do with the IRS, how their fees are usually structured and what to ask before you sign.
Tax Relief guideOffer in Compromise vs Installment Agreement vs Currently Not Collectible
Compare the three main IRS options for tax debt you cannot pay at once: an offer in compromise, an installment agreement and currently not collectible status.
Related comparisons
Debt Relief
Freedom Debt Relief is our top pick among debt relief companies because it publishes its fee range, collects fees only after you approve a settlement and offers a written Program Guarantee.
Top pick: Freedom Debt Relief · 9.2/10Compare 8 debt relief companiesPersonal Loans
SoFi is our top pick for personal loans because it lets you check your rate with a soft credit inquiry, offers autopay and member rate discounts and publishes an unemployment protection program.
Top pick: SoFi · 9.3/10Compare 10 personal loan options