Tax Relief comparison

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. Choose Anthem Tax Services if you prefer an enrolled-agent firm that says it explains your options and costs before you commit. Both publish the limits of their money-back guarantees, and neither can promise what the IRS will decide.

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

Optima Tax Relief

Best overall

9.1/10

Editorial score

Visit site Read full review

Anthem Tax Services

Best for clear costs upfront

8.8/10

Editorial score

Visit site Read full review

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.

Optima Tax Relief vs Anthem Tax Services at a glance

	Optima Tax Relief	Anthem Tax Services
Who handles your case	Tax attorneys and licensed tax professionals	Enrolled agents
First step	Free consultation	Free consultation
How fees work	Based on case complexity; quoted after consultation	Explained in a planning step before you commit
Refund policy	Investigation Phase fee within 15 days of signing	Money-back guarantee; excludes minimum deposit, tax prep and bookkeeping
Main services	OIC, installment plans, CNC, penalty abatement, levies, liens, audits	OIC, installment agreements, CNC, penalty abatement, levies, garnishments
State tax help	Yes	Yes
Our editorial score	9.1 / 10	8.8 / 10

General features only. Check each provider's site for current prices and terms.

Which should you choose?

Pick Optima Tax Relief if your case is complex, involves an audit or may need an attorney, and you want a clearly defined refund window.

Pick Anthem Tax Services if you want an enrolled agent on your case and a cost explanation before you commit to anything.

Who does the work

The biggest difference is the type of professional on your case. Optima Tax Relief says its tax attorneys and licensed tax professionals handle cases, and it names attorneys on its leadership team. Anthem Tax Services says enrolled agents, who are licensed by the IRS, handle your case and the contact with the IRS. Enrolled agents are tax specialists and can represent you in collections, audits and appeals. An attorney matters more if your case could involve a legal dispute or Tax Court.

How each one charges

Neither company publishes fixed prices. Optima's FAQ says fees depend on the complexity of your case and the services you need, and are explained after a consultation. Anthem describes a four-step process in which it files a power of attorney, pulls your IRS transcripts and then explains your options and what the work costs before you commit. In both cases, ask for every fee and its due date in writing.

Refund terms compared

Both firms publish the limits of their guarantees, which is rarer than it should be in this industry. Optima says it will refund fees paid for its Investigation Phase if you ask within the first 15 calendar days after signing its client agreement, and the guarantee does not cover later services. Anthem advertises a money-back guarantee if it cannot put you in a better position, and says it does not apply to bookkeeping, tax preparation or the minimum deposit. Full terms are in each company's client agreement, so read that document before you sign.

Services

Both firms cover the main IRS options: installment agreements, offers in compromise, currently-not-collectible status and penalty abatement, plus help with levies and wage garnishments. Optima also lists audit defense, payroll tax help and tax preparation. Both work on state tax debt as well as IRS debt.

The bottom line

If your case is complicated or you want attorneys involved, Optima is the stronger fit. If your case is a straightforward balance-due problem and you want to understand costs before signing, Anthem is a good match. Remember that you can also contact the IRS directly at no cost, and that the IRS, not either company, decides whether you qualify for relief.

Optima Tax Relief vs Anthem Tax Services FAQ

Is Optima Tax Relief or Anthem Tax Services better?

In our editorial scoring, Optima edges ahead because of its attorneys and wider service list. Anthem scores well for explaining costs before you commit and for stating what its guarantee excludes.

Do Optima and Anthem both offer refunds?

Both advertise money-back guarantees with conditions. Optima's covers its Investigation Phase fee within 15 days of signing. Anthem's excludes the minimum deposit, bookkeeping and tax preparation. Check the current terms in each client agreement.