Tax Relief review

Tax Hardship Center review

Name: Tax Hardship Center review
Item: Tax Hardship Center
Rating: 8.5
Author: ChoosyOwl

Best for wide service range

Tax resolution firm with enrolled agents, CPAs and attorneys and one of the widest service lists we reviewed. People with several overlapping tax problems, such as unfiled returns plus a levy, who want one firm to handle all of them. We rank it #4 of 7 in our tax relief comparison, with an editorial score of 8.5 out of 10.

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

8.5/10

Our editorial score

Tax Hardship Center scores highest on Range of services because it lists offers in compromise, installment agreements, CNC status, penalty abatement, innocent spouse relief, levy and lien help, audits and bookkeeping, and well on Licensed representation because it says enrolled agents, CPAs and attorneys represent clients. It scores lower on Honest outcome messaging because some of its marketing uses guarantee language, although it also notes that results depend on your facts and IRS processing.

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#4 of 7

Best forBest for wide service range

Who handles your caseEnrolled agents, CPAs and attorneys

How fees workAdvertises "no resolution, no fee"; get terms in writing

Refund policyMentioned but conditions not detailed on homepage

Facts checkedNovember 14, 2026

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

Overview

Tax Hardship Center is a tax resolution company that helps with IRS and state tax problems. Its site says enrolled agents, CPAs and attorneys represent clients before the IRS, and it lists offers in compromise, installment agreements, currently-not-collectible status, penalty abatement, innocent spouse relief, bank levies, tax liens, wage garnishment, audit representation, unfiled returns, tax preparation and business bookkeeping.

It starts with a free consultation, then a case analysis in which enrolled agents build a resolution plan, and then handles communication with the IRS for you.

Tax Hardship Center advertises a "no resolution, no fee" approach and mentions refunds, but its homepage does not set out the conditions in detail. Ask what counts as a resolution and get the fee and refund terms in writing before you sign. Results depend on your facts and on the IRS's decision.

Pros and cons

Pros

Very broad list of IRS and state services
Several types of licensed professionals
Handles unfiled returns as well as resolution
Business tax and payroll tax help listed

Cons

Some marketing uses guarantee language; no firm can promise IRS outcomes
Refund conditions are not spelled out on its homepage
Fee amounts are not published

Key features

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
Tax preparation and business bookkeeping

Who Tax Hardship Center is for

A good fit if

People with several overlapping tax problems, such as unfiled returns plus a levy, who want one firm to handle all of them.

Look elsewhere if

Anyone who wants detailed refund conditions published before they call.

How we scored Tax Hardship Center

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.

Tax Hardship Center alternatives

#1
Optima Tax Relief
Best overall
Tax 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
9.1/10
Editorial score
Visit site (Optima Tax Relief, opens in a new tab) Read review Compare
#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

Head-to-head

Blueprint Resolution Services vs Tax Hardship Center

See all 7 tax relief companies compared

Tax Hardship Center FAQ

Who represents clients at Tax Hardship Center?

Tax Hardship Center's site says enrolled agents, CPAs and attorneys, who are federally licensed to represent taxpayers, represent its clients before the IRS.

Does Tax Hardship Center charge if it does not resolve my case?

Tax Hardship Center advertises a "no resolution, no fee" approach. Its homepage does not define what counts as a resolution, so ask for the fee and refund terms in writing before you sign.

Can Tax Hardship Center guarantee the IRS will accept my offer?

No company can make that promise. The IRS decides whether you qualify for an offer in compromise or any other option, and Tax Hardship Center's own site notes that results depend on your facts and IRS processing.

Sources and fact check

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