Tax Relief review

Optima Tax Relief review

Name: Optima Tax Relief review
Item: Optima Tax Relief
Rating: 9.1
Author: ChoosyOwl

Best overall

Tax resolution firm with tax attorneys on staff, a phased process and a published money-back guarantee with clear limits. People with larger or more complicated IRS or state tax problems who want a firm with attorneys on staff and published refund terms. We rank it #1 of 7 in our tax relief comparison, with an editorial score of 9.1 out of 10.

Updated November 14, 2026By the ChoosyOwl editorial teamHow we rank

9.1/10

Our editorial score

Optima Tax Relief scores highest on Fee and refund transparency because it publishes exactly what its money-back guarantee covers, and on Licensed representation because its site names tax attorneys on its leadership team. It also scores well on Range of services and Honest outcome messaging, since its disclaimer says it does not guarantee you will qualify for any IRS program. It loses a little because its actual fee amounts are only given after a consultation.

How we score tax relief

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Tax relief disclosure.

We are not a law firm, not a tax preparer and not a tax adviser, and nothing on this page is legal or tax advice. We do not represent taxpayers before the IRS or any state tax agency, and we do not negotiate tax debts.

Results are not guaranteed. The IRS, or your state tax agency, decides whether you qualify for an offer in compromise, an installment agreement, penalty relief, currently-not-collectible status or any other option, including the changes the IRS calls its Fresh Start initiative. No company can promise that the IRS will accept an offer or reduce what you owe.

Tax relief companies charge their own fees for their work, separate from anything you owe the IRS. Fees vary by company and by case, and some firms charge in phases. Ask for every fee, payment schedule and refund condition in writing before you sign an agreement.

You can contact the IRS directly at no cost. Many people set up payment plans, check offer-in-compromise eligibility and request penalty relief themselves through IRS.gov, and the Taxpayer Advocate Service and Low Income Taxpayer Clinics offer free or low-cost help to eligible taxpayers.

Quick facts

Our rank#1 of 7

Best forBest overall

Who handles your caseTax attorneys and licensed tax professionals

How fees workBased on case complexity; quoted after a consultation

Refund policyInvestigation Phase fee refundable within 15 days of signing (check terms)

Facts checkedNovember 14, 2026

Details are general and can change. Check current plans, prices and terms on the Optima Tax Relief site. See the Optima Tax Relief company profile in our brand directory.

Overview

Optima Tax Relief is a tax resolution company that helps people resolve IRS and state tax debts. Its site says its tax attorneys and licensed tax professionals handle cases, and it lists offers in compromise, installment plans, currently-not-collectible status, penalty abatement, levy and lien help, wage garnishment relief, audit defense and unfiled returns among its services.

Optima works in three steps: a free consultation, an investigation phase in which it contacts the IRS and reviews your options, and a resolution phase. Its FAQ says fees depend on the complexity of your case and the services you need, and are explained after a consultation.

Optima's site publishes the terms of its money-back guarantee. It says it will refund fees paid for the Investigation Phase if you ask within the first 15 calendar days after signing its client agreement, and that the guarantee does not cover fees for later services. Check the current terms on Optima's site before you sign.

Pros and cons

Pros

Refund conditions are published in plain words
Attorneys on the leadership team
Covers both IRS and state tax problems
Disclaimer says plainly that it cannot promise IRS program eligibility

Cons

Fee amounts are only given after a consultation
Money-back guarantee covers only the Investigation Phase fee
Paying for an investigation may not make sense for simple cases you can handle yourself

Key features

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
Published money-back terms for the Investigation Phase

Who Optima Tax Relief is for

A good fit if

People with larger or more complicated IRS or state tax problems who want a firm with attorneys on staff and published refund terms.

Look elsewhere if

Anyone with a simple balance who could set up an IRS payment plan online on their own.

How we scored Optima Tax Relief

Our tax relief score weighs fee and refund transparency (25%), licensed representation (25%), range of services (20%), honest outcome messaging (15%), consultation and process clarity (15%). See the methodology.

Optima Tax Relief alternatives

#2
Anthem Tax Services
Best for clear costs upfront
Enrolled-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
8.8/10
Editorial score
Visit site (Anthem Tax Services, opens in a new tab) Read review Compare
#3
Blueprint Resolution Services
Best enrolled-agent consultation
Tax 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
8.6/10
Editorial score
Visit site (Blueprint Resolution Services, opens in a new tab) Read review Compare
#4
Tax Hardship Center
Best for wide service range
Tax 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
8.5/10
Editorial score
Visit site (Tax Hardship Center, opens in a new tab) Read review Compare

Head-to-head

Optima Tax Relief vs Anthem Tax Services

See all 7 tax relief companies compared

Optima Tax Relief FAQ

Does Optima Tax Relief have a money-back guarantee?

Optima's site says it will refund fees paid for its Investigation Phase if you ask within the first 15 calendar days after signing its client agreement. The guarantee does not cover fees for services beyond that phase. Check the current terms on Optima's site.

Who works on an Optima Tax Relief case?

Optima's site says its tax attorneys and licensed tax professionals handle tax relief cases, and it names attorneys on its leadership team.

How much does Optima Tax Relief cost?

Optima does not publish fixed prices. Its FAQ says fees depend on the complexity of your case and the services required, and are explained after a consultation. Ask for the full fee in writing.

Sources and fact check

We checked the facts on this page against Optima Tax Relief's own website on November 14, 2026.