On this page14 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Anthem Tax Services vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- Anthem Tax Services legitimacy and licensing
- How much Anthem Tax Services costs
- How Anthem works
- Anthem Tax Services complaints and how to avoid problems
- Anthem's money-back guarantee and refunds
- The rules that protect you
- Who should look elsewhere
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Anthem Tax Services handles IRS and state tax debt in all 50 states and offers a money-back guarantee if it cannot put you in a better position, but that guarantee excludes the minimum deposit, tax preparation and bookkeeping, and its full terms appear only in the client agreement. It is a legitimate tax resolution firm: founded in 2017 in Woodland Hills, California, BBB accredited with an A+ rating since February 2017, and staffed by IRS enrolled agents and tax attorneys it names on its team page. Anthem publishes no fees, and the BBB shows 83 complaints in three years, so get the total cost and refund terms in writing. Before paying anyone, check whether you can set up an IRS payment plan yourself, which costs $0 to $178.
Your options
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Priority Tax Relief This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. Alternative People with larger or more complex IRS or state tax debt, such as payroll or sales tax, who want a firm to handle the IRS calls and paperwork.
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Alleviate Tax This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. Alternative People who owe the IRS a large balance, have unfiled years or face a levy or garnishment, and want a firm to pull transcripts and deal with the IRS for them.
- Company
- Anthem Tax Services, 21600 Oxnard St #1200, Woodland Hills, CA; founded 2017 per the company (BBB lists a December 14, 2016 start)1
- Credentials
- IRS enrolled agents and tax attorneys listed by name on its team page3
- Coverage
- IRS and state tax debt in all 50 states1
- Services
- Installment agreements, offers in compromise, currently not collectible status, penalty abatement, levy and garnishment release, unfiled returns, tax preparation and bookkeeping1
- Fees
- Not published; Anthem says it explains the cost before you commit, and the guarantee mentions a minimum deposit (October 2026)1
- Guarantee
- Refund of fees if Anthem cannot put you in a better position; excludes the minimum deposit, tax preparation and bookkeeping; full terms only in the client agreement1
- BBB
- A+, accredited since February 21, 2017; 83 complaints in the last 3 years; 228 customer reviews4
- Free consultation
- Yes, by phone at (888) 548-0478 or online form, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.2
Pros
- IRS enrolled agents and tax attorneys on staff
- BBB A+ and accredited since 2017
- Handles federal and state tax debt in all 50 states
- Written money-back guarantee with stated exclusions
- Free consultation
Cons
- No fees, deposit amount or minimum debt published
- Guarantee excludes the minimum deposit and full terms are only in the client agreement
- 83 BBB complaints in three years
- Reviews mention hard-to-reach staff and added-service pressure
Best for: People with complex IRS or state tax debt, such as unfiled years, levies or wage garnishments, who want enrolled agents or attorneys to handle it.
Skip it if: You owe a modest amount you can pay over time, since you can set up an IRS payment plan yourself for $0 to $178.
Anthem Tax Services vs. competitors
| Company | BBB rating | BBB complaints, last 3 years | Fees published | Refund terms | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthem Tax Services | A+, accredited since 2017 | 83 | No | Limited money-back guarantee; excludes minimum deposit; terms in client agreement | |
| Optima Tax Relief | A+, accredited since 2012 | 805 | No, quoted after consultation | Investigation Phase fee, within 15 days | Visit site |
| Civic Tax Relief | A+, accredited since 2019 | 9 | No | Investigation Phase fee, within 15 days | Visit site |
Tax relief companies we reviewed
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Anthem Tax Services This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. This review BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People with complex IRS or state tax debt, such as unfiled years, levies or wage garnishments, who want enrolled agents or attorneys to handle it. -
Priority Tax Relief This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.9 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People with larger or more complex IRS or state tax debt, such as payroll or sales tax, who want a firm to handle the IRS calls and paperwork. -
Alleviate Tax This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.7 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People who owe the IRS a large balance, have unfiled years or face a levy or garnishment, and want a firm to pull transcripts and deal with the IRS for them. -
Five Star Tax Resolution This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Taxpayers with a complex IRS case who want an attorney supervising the work and are willing to negotiate fees on a call. -
Tax Relief Advocates This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Taxpayers who want a second or third quote from a large, BBB-accredited firm and will get the fee and refund terms in writing. -
1099 Tax Problems This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.3 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Self-employed workers with back taxes or unfiled returns who want a free call and are comfortable being served by Priority Tax Relief. -
Optima Tax Relief BestGuide rating: 4.2 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People with a large or complicated IRS or state tax problem, such as unfiled years, levies or an audit, who want one firm to handle the whole case. -
Tax Rise BestGuide rating: 4.2 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People with a large IRS or state balance, unfiled returns or an active levy who want a firm to prepare returns and negotiate for them.
Anthem Tax Services pricing at a glance
Anthem Tax Services costs vs. what the IRS charges, as listed October 20265
| Item | Anthem | IRS directly |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation | Free | Free (IRS phone help and online account) |
| Investigation or minimum deposit | Not published; the minimum deposit is excluded from the guarantee | Not applicable |
| Resolution fee | Not published; quoted after review | Not applicable |
| Long-term payment plan setup | Included in Anthem's fee, if quoted | $29 online with direct debit; $69 online otherwise; $107 to $178 by phone, mail or in person; reduced or waived for low income |
| Short-term plan (180 days or less) | Included in Anthem's fee, if quoted | $0 |
| Offer in compromise | Included in Anthem's fee, if quoted | $205 application fee plus a first payment, waived for low income |
Anthem does not publish prices. IRS fees are from IRS.gov and apply whether or not you hire a firm.
Anthem Tax Services, step by step
Free consultation
You tell Anthem how much you owe and whether you have unfiled returns, levies or garnishments; it says it will tell you whether you need help.
Investigation
With your permission Anthem files an IRS power of attorney (Form 2848), pulls your transcripts and confirms what you owe.
Your plan and price
Anthem explains the options it recommends and what the work costs before you commit. Ask for the fee, minimum deposit and refund terms in writing.
Resolution
An enrolled agent negotiates with the IRS or state, such as an installment agreement, offer in compromise, penalty relief or collection hold.
Stay compliant
You must file and pay future taxes on time to keep any agreement in place; Anthem also sells tax preparation and bookkeeping.
Anthem Tax Services legitimacy and licensing
Yes. Anthem Tax Services is a real tax resolution firm at 21600 Oxnard Street in Woodland Hills, California. It says it was founded in 2017; the BBB lists a December 2016 start and accreditation since February 21, 2017, with an A+ rating. Its team page names IRS enrolled agents, who are federally licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS, and several tax attorneys. We found no FTC, state attorney general or CFPB actions against it.
Like most tax relief firms, Anthem does not publish prices, and it collects a minimum deposit that its guarantee does not cover. The BBB shows 83 complaints in three years, and Trustpilot rates it 4.5 out of 5 from 358 reviews, with 11% one star.
How much Anthem Tax Services costs
Anthem does not post fees, an investigation fee or a minimum debt on its site. It says it explains what the work costs before you commit, and its guarantee refers to a minimum deposit, so expect to pay something up front. Get these numbers in writing before you sign:
- The minimum deposit and whether any of it is refundable
- The total resolution fee and what it covers
- Which work is billed separately, such as tax preparation for unfiled years
- The exact conditions of the money-back guarantee
Compare that total with the IRS’s own costs: a short-term payment plan is free, a long-term plan costs $29 to $178 to set up, and an Offer in compromise. An IRS agreement to settle tax debt for less than the full amount when you cannot pay. Compare tax relief companies has a $205 application fee, all reduced or waived for low-income taxpayers.
How Anthem works
After a free consultation, Anthem files a power of attorney so it can pull your IRS transcripts and confirm what you owe. It then recommends a path: an Installment agreement. An IRS payment plan that lets you pay a balance over time. Compare tax relief companies if you can pay over time, an offer in compromise if you cannot pay the full debt, Currently not collectible. An IRS status that pauses collection because of financial hardship; the debt remains. Compare tax relief companies status if paying would leave you unable to cover basic living costs, or Penalty abatement. The IRS removal of penalties for reasonable cause or a first-time issue. Compare tax relief companies. An enrolled agent negotiates with the IRS or your state and handles IRS contact while the case is open. Anthem says it serves all 50 states, including state tax agencies.
What customers say about Anthem Tax Services
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Knowledgeable, professional case staff
- Patient explanations of complex tax issues
- Supportive handling of a stressful situation
- Staff who follow cases through to a result
Common complaints
- Hard to reach by phone or email
- Pressure to buy added services
- Fees that felt high for the work done
- Little progress after payment
Anthem Tax Services complaints and how to avoid problems
Negative reviews describe calls and emails going unanswered, pressure to buy more services, fees that felt high for the result, and cases that stalled after payment. Positive reviews praise knowledgeable, patient case staff. To protect yourself:
- Ask who your enrolled agent or attorney will be, and check the enrolled agent at the IRS or the attorney with the state bar.
- Get the fee, deposit and guarantee terms in the written agreement before paying.
- Keep filing and paying current taxes; no firm can keep an agreement alive if you fall behind again.
- Ask for copies of everything filed for you, and check your own IRS online account for progress.
- If a dispute is not resolved, file with the BBB and your state attorney general.
Anthem's money-back guarantee and refunds
Anthem says that if it cannot save you money, rework your payments or otherwise put you in a better position, it will refund your fees. The guarantee does not cover bookkeeping, tax preparation or the minimum deposit, and its footer calls it a limited guarantee whose terms are in the client account documents. Since those terms are not published, read the refund section of your agreement closely and ask what counts as a better position before you pay.
The rules that protect you
Only enrolled agents, CPAs and attorneys can represent you in all IRS collection matters. Every option a firm can negotiate is also open to you directly: the IRS offers free payment plan applications online, a free offer in compromise pre-qualifier, and the Taxpayer Advocate Service if an IRS problem is causing financial hardship. Be wary of any firm that promises a large reduction before it has seen your IRS transcripts and finances. No tax firm can guarantee a particular IRS outcome.
Who should look elsewhere
If you owe an amount you can pay over time and have filed all your returns, apply for an IRS payment plan yourself. If your income is low, a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic may represent you for free or a small fee. And if a firm cannot tell you its total fee in writing before you pay, keep shopping.
Alternatives to Anthem Tax Services
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Apply with the IRS yourself
If you owe a moderate amount and can afford monthly payments, an IRS online payment plan costs $0 to $69 to set up, and the IRS has a free offer in compromise pre-qualifier tool.
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Taxpayer Advocate Service or a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
Free help from the IRS's independent advocate, or low-cost representation from a clinic if your income qualifies.
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Very few BBB complaints and a written refund window on its investigation fee.
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A larger firm with a 15-day refund window on its investigation fee, though with far more complaints.
Next steps
Anthem Tax Services reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is Anthem Tax Services legitimate and safe to use?
Yes. It is a Woodland Hills, California firm founded in 2017, BBB accredited since 2017 with an A+ rating, with enrolled agents and tax attorneys on staff. It does not publish fees, so get costs in writing.
How much does Anthem Tax Services charge?
Anthem does not publish its fees. It quotes a price after reviewing your case and collects a minimum deposit that its money-back guarantee does not cover.
Does Anthem Tax Services offer a money-back guarantee?
Yes, a limited one. It refunds fees if it cannot put you in a better position, but excludes the minimum deposit, tax preparation and bookkeeping, and the full terms are only in the client agreement.
Is there a minimum debt to work with Anthem?
Anthem does not publish one. Its intake form starts with an under-$8,000 option, so ask during the consultation whether your balance qualifies.
Who works on my case at Anthem?
Anthem says IRS-licensed enrolled agents handle cases and IRS contact, and its team page also lists tax attorneys. Ask for your representative's name and verify the credential.
Does Anthem handle state taxes?
Yes. Anthem says it resolves IRS and state tax debt in all 50 states.
Where is Anthem Tax Services located?
21600 Oxnard Street, Suite 1200, Woodland Hills, California. The BBB also lists an Oxnard, California address. Its phone number is (888) 548-0478.
Can I set up an IRS payment plan without a tax relief company?
Yes. Individuals can apply online; a short-term plan is free and a long-term plan costs $29 with direct debit or $69 otherwise, as listed on IRS.gov.
What is an offer in compromise?
An agreement to settle tax debt for less than the full amount when you cannot pay. It costs $205 to apply plus a first payment, waived for low income, and the IRS has a free pre-qualifier tool.
How long does Anthem take to resolve a case?
Anthem does not publish a typical timeline. Payment plans can be set up quickly, while an offer in compromise often takes months, and one client testimonial on Anthem's site describes two years of negotiations.
Sources (11)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Anthem Tax Services: Home page, process and guarantee (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Anthem Tax Services: About (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Anthem Tax Services: Our team (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Anthem Tax Services (accessed October 12, 2026)
- IRS: Payment plans and installment agreements (fees updated March 3, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- IRS: Offer in compromise (accessed October 12, 2026)
- IRS: Offer in compromise pre-qualifier (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Anthem Tax Services reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- IRS: Choosing a tax professional (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Taxpayer Advocate Service (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Anthem Tax Services: Accreditations and awards (accessed October 12, 2026)
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