Compare Tax Relief Services: Anthem, Alleviate and Priority Tax

It negotiates with the IRS or a state tax authority on your behalf — applying for an instalment agreement, an offer in compromise, penalty abatement or currently-not-collectible status. It cannot make a debt disappear. Anything a firm files for you, you can also file yourself directly with the IRS at no cost.

Two models exist. Flat-fee firms quote a single price for a defined scope of work. Others charge in stages — an investigation fee first, then a resolution fee once they have reviewed your file. Ask which model applies, what the total is, and what happens to the money if your case is rejected.

Most firms set a minimum, commonly in the five-figure range, because fees can otherwise exceed the saving. If your balance sits below that, contacting the IRS directly about a payment plan is usually the cheaper route.

A guarantee to settle for “pennies on the dollar” before anyone has seen your file. Pressure to pay in full today. No written scope of work. Reluctance to name the enrolled agent, CPA or attorney who will handle your case. The FTC publishes guidance on this category — worth reading before you sign anything.

Confirm BBB accreditation and read the complaint record, not just the rating. Ask which credentialed professional will represent you and verify that credential. Get the fee and the refund terms in writing. Check how long the firm has traded under its current name.

Yes. Payment plans, offers in compromise and penalty relief can all be applied for directly, and the IRS charges nothing to consider them. Paying a firm buys handling and negotiation, not access to programmes that would otherwise be closed to you. That trade-off is worth weighing against the fee.