Is Priority Tax Relief Legitimate? Here’s What the Evidence Shows

If you owe the IRS and someone recommended Priority Tax Relief, you’re right to ask hard questions first. Tax relief is one of the most complained-about industries in financial services, and not every company that ranks in Google ads has the credentials to back it up.

This review cuts through the marketing and looks at what actually matters: licensing, third-party ratings, real customer feedback, and the warning signs you should watch for before signing any contract. By the end, you’ll know exactly whether Priority Tax Relief is worth your time, and what alternatives exist if it isn’t.

What Is Priority Tax Relief?

Priority Tax Relief is a tax resolution company headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional offices in Pasadena, CA. It has been operating since 2007, giving it nearly two decades in an industry where many competitors come and go within a few years.

The company employs a team of tax attorneys, certified public accountants (CPAs), and enrolled agents (EAs) who represent clients before the IRS. That combination of credentials matters: enrolled agents hold a federally authorized license specifically for IRS representation, while tax attorneys and CPAs bring additional legal and accounting expertise to complex cases.

Priority Tax Relief positions itself as a full-service tax resolution firm, meaning it handles everything from unfiled returns and wage garnishments to negotiated settlements like Offers in Compromise and installment agreements. If you owe back taxes, have received an IRS notice, or are facing enforcement action, those are the exact services it offers.

Priority Tax Relief connects taxpayers with back tax debt to A+ rated professionals who can negotiate directly with the IRS. Their free consultation is a low-risk first step toward finding a resolution.

BBB Rating and Accreditation

One of the fastest ways to screen a tax relief company is to check its Better Business Bureau profile. Priority Tax Relief holds an A+ BBB rating, the highest possible grade, and is a BBB-accredited business.

BBB accreditation is not automatic. Companies must apply, meet standards for transparency and dispute resolution, and agree to make good-faith efforts to resolve customer complaints. The A+ grade reflects the company’s track record of handling disputes and its overall history with the bureau.

Customer reviews on the BBB platform average 4.92 out of 5 stars based on verified reviews, which is unusually high for the tax relief industry. For context, many large, well-known tax relief competitors operate with significantly more BBB complaints on record.

What Real Customers Are Saying

Third-party review platforms give a fuller picture than the BBB alone, since they capture a broader cross-section of clients.

On Google, Priority Tax Relief holds a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on close to 600 reviews. That volume matters: a high score across hundreds of reviews is harder to inflate than a handful of testimonials. Common themes in positive reviews include responsive communication, professional staff, and relief from long-standing IRS debt.

On Trustpilot, the company has collected over 300 verified reviews with a near-perfect average score. Positive reviewers consistently highlight the professionalism of their assigned case managers and the speed with which the company moved to stop IRS enforcement actions like levies and garnishments.

That said, a minority of reviews on platforms like PissedConsumer describe frustrating experiences, including delayed communication and cases where the final IRS outcome was less favorable than the client had hoped. These complaints are worth taking seriously, but they are also not unusual in an industry where results genuinely depend on IRS decisions that no company can fully control.

What Services Does Priority Tax Relief Offer?

Priority Tax Relief offers the full range of IRS resolution services that most people with serious tax debt will need. Its core services include:

• Offer in Compromise (OIC): A program that allows qualifying taxpayers to settle their IRS debt for less than the full amount owed. This is the “pennies on the dollar” outcome you see advertised, but it requires demonstrating to the IRS that you genuinely cannot pay the full balance. Approval is not guaranteed and depends entirely on your financial situation.
• Installment agreements: A negotiated monthly payment plan with the IRS. Priority Tax Relief can work to secure terms you can realistically afford, including Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status if you have no disposable income.
• Penalty abatement: A formal request to reduce or remove IRS penalties, typically available to taxpayers with a previously clean compliance history or who can demonstrate reasonable cause for late filing or payment.
• Unfiled tax returns: Filing years of missing returns is often the first step in any resolution process. Priority Tax Relief can prepare and file back returns on your behalf.
• Wage garnishment and bank levy release: If the IRS has already begun collecting, Priority Tax Relief can represent you to request a release while a resolution is negotiated.

If you want to understand what back taxes actually mean before engaging any firm, the article What Are Back Taxes and How Do You Resolve Them covers the full landscape in plain language.

How Much Does Priority Tax Relief Cost?

Like most tax relief firms, Priority Tax Relief does not publish a flat fee schedule because case complexity varies significantly. However, based on available reporting, here is what you can generally expect:

• The company typically requires a minimum tax debt of $10,000 to take a case, which is standard across the industry. Cases with smaller balances are often better handled directly with the IRS or through a local CPA.
• There is usually an investigation or discovery phase fee, which covers the initial review of your IRS transcripts, financial situation, and options. This phase typically costs several hundred dollars and is separate from the resolution fee.
• Full resolution fees generally range from around $2,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the number of tax years involved, whether returns need to be filed, and the complexity of the settlement strategy. More complex cases involving audits, significant unfiled years, or large balances can cost considerably more.

Before signing anything, ask for a written breakdown of all fees, what services are included at each phase, and what happens if the IRS denies the proposed resolution strategy.

Red Flags to Watch For When Hiring Any Tax Relief Company

Even when evaluating a legitimate company like Priority Tax Relief, there are questions every taxpayer should ask before signing a contract. These same red flags apply to any firm you consider.

• Guarantees of a specific outcome. No tax relief company can guarantee that the IRS will approve an Offer in Compromise or reduce your debt by a specific percentage. Any firm that promises a specific result before reviewing your full financial picture is not being honest with you.
• Upfront fees with no clear contract. A legitimate firm will give you a written engagement letter that spells out exactly what services you are paying for, what the process looks like, and what the next steps are.
• Unlicensed representatives. Ask whether your case will be handled by an enrolled agent, CPA, or tax attorney. A sales representative is not qualified to represent you before the IRS. Priority Tax Relief employs licensed professionals, but always confirm who specifically will work on your case.
• Pressure to sign immediately. Legitimate firms understand that hiring tax help is a significant financial decision. If you feel rushed, that is a warning sign.

Our guide to the best tax relief companies walks through these criteria for every major provider so you can compare options side by side.

How Priority Tax Relief Compares to Other Companies

Priority Tax Relief is a strong performer by most objective metrics, but it is not the only credible option. The tax relief market includes a handful of well-established firms with similarly strong credentials.

Companies like Alleviate Tax also hold A+ BBB ratings and employ licensed professionals, but they differ in size, minimum debt requirements, and areas of specialization. If you want a detailed breakdown of how two of the industry’s top-rated companies stack up on fee transparency, services, and customer outcomes, our Alleviate Tax vs. Optima Tax Relief comparison is a useful starting point for understanding what to look for across the board.

For a closer look at one of Priority Tax Relief’s main competitors in this space, the Priority Tax Relief full review covers the company’s services, pricing, and customer feedback in even greater depth.

Is Priority Tax Relief Worth It?

Priority Tax Relief is a legitimate company with real credentials, strong third-party ratings, and a long track record in the industry. If you owe $10,000 or more to the IRS and want professional representation, it is a credible option worth including in your evaluation.

That said, “legitimate” and “right for your situation” are two different things. Before signing with any tax relief firm, get a free consultation from at least two companies, compare their proposed strategies and fee structures, and make sure you understand what outcome is actually realistic given your financial profile.

Not every tax debt qualifies for an Offer in Compromise. For many taxpayers, a structured installment agreement or penalty abatement request is the more achievable outcome, and understanding that upfront will help you set realistic expectations no matter which firm you work with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Priority Tax Relief a legitimate company?
Yes. Priority Tax Relief is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating, has been operating since 2007, and employs licensed tax attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents. It holds strong ratings across Google, Trustpilot, and the BBB.

What is Priority Tax Relief’s BBB rating?
Priority Tax Relief holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and is an accredited BBB business. Customer reviews on the BBB platform average 4.92 out of 5 stars.

What is the minimum debt to work with Priority Tax Relief?
Priority Tax Relief generally requires a minimum tax debt of $10,000 to take on a case. Taxpayers with smaller balances may be better served by a local CPA or by contacting the IRS directly.

How much does Priority Tax Relief charge?
Fees vary by case complexity. Resolution fees typically range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more, not including the initial investigation phase fee. The company does not publish a flat fee schedule, so you will receive a custom quote after your consultation.

Does Priority Tax Relief guarantee results?
No legitimate tax relief company can guarantee a specific outcome with the IRS. Priority Tax Relief can represent you and negotiate on your behalf, but the final decision on any settlement or payment plan rests with the IRS based on your financial situation.

Does Priority Tax Relief have any complaints?
Like most tax relief companies, Priority Tax Relief has received some negative reviews on platforms like PissedConsumer, with complaints typically involving communication delays or outcomes that did not meet expectations. However, its overall ratings on the BBB, Google, and Trustpilot are well above industry average.