On this page14 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Civic Tax Relief vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- Civic Tax Relief legitimacy and licensing
- Civic Tax Relief cost
- How Civic Tax Relief works
- Civic Tax Relief complaints and red flags
- Cancellation and refunds
- Rules and free help that protect you
- Who should skip Civic Tax Relief
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Civic Tax Relief's complaint record is small: 9 BBB complaints in three years and no CFPB complaints or regulator actions we could find. It is a real, BBB accredited tax resolution company that has operated since 2017. The tradeoff is cost and certainty. It doesn't publish what its investigation or resolution phases cost, its money-back guarantee covers only the investigation fee for 15 days, and the steep settlements on its reviews page are selected examples, not typical results.
Your options
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Civic Tax Relief This review People who owe $10,000 or more to the IRS or a state, face liens, levies or garnishment, and want a firm to handle the paperwork and calls for them.
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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.
- Company
- Civic Tax Relief, Inc., 555 Anton Blvd., Suite 150, Costa Mesa, CA 92626; business started January 17, 2017, per BBB6
- Services
- IRS and state tax settlement, tax resolution (Offer in Compromise, installment agreements, wage garnishment and levy help), tax consultation and tax preparation1
- Who works your case
- The company says its team includes consultants, attorneys, Enrolled Agents and CPAs; its disclaimer also says it does not provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice1
- Resolution fees
- Not published; you're quoted after a free consultation. Its web form asks for at least $10,000 in tax debt5
- Protection plans
- Individual Plan $99 a month; Self-Employed Plan $199 a month, as listed October 20262
- Refund policy
- Refund of the Investigation Phase fee within 15 calendar days; does not cover the Immediate Action Team or a signed Resolution Phase Addendum1
- Timeline
- Company says it generally resolves cases in 90 days to 9 months1
- BBB
- A+, accredited since January 25, 2019; 9 complaints in the last 3 years and 134 customer reviews (October 2026)6
Pros
- A+ BBB rating with only 9 complaints in three years
- No FTC, CFPB or state attorney general actions found against the company
- Free consultation, and the investigation fee is refundable for 15 days
- Handles both IRS and state tax debt, plus tax prep and audit help
- Clear disclaimer that it doesn't guarantee any reduction
Cons
- Investigation and resolution fees are not published
- Refund policy doesn't cover the resolution phase
- Reviews page shows cherry-picked Offer in Compromise results that most people won't get
- Few reviews on independent sites to confirm results
Best for: People who owe $10,000 or more to the IRS or a state, face liens, levies or garnishment, and want a firm to handle the paperwork and calls for them.
Skip it if: You owe less than $50,000, have filed all your returns and can afford a monthly payment, because you can set up an IRS payment plan yourself for a small fee.
Civic Tax Relief vs. competitors
| Company | BBB rating | BBB complaints, last 3 years | Fees published | Refund terms | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civic Tax Relief | A+, accredited since 2019 | 9 | No | Investigation Phase fee, within 15 days | Visit site |
| Optima Tax Relief | A+, accredited since 2012 | 805 | No, quoted after consultation | Investigation Phase fee, within 15 days | Visit site |
| Anthem Tax Services | A+, accredited since 2017 | 83 | No | Limited money-back guarantee; terms in client documents | Read review |
Tax relief companies we reviewed
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Civic Tax Relief This review BestGuide rating: 4.1 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 $10,000 or more to the IRS or a state, face liens, levies or garnishment, and want a firm to handle the paperwork and calls for them. -
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.
Civic Tax Relief pricing at a glance
Civic Tax Relief costs, as listed October 20261
| Service | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free consultation | $0 | Phone review of your tax problem and options |
| Investigation Phase | Not published | Case review before any resolution work; refundable within 15 calendar days |
| Resolution Phase | Not published | Negotiating the chosen IRS or state resolution under a separate addendum |
| Individual Protection Plan | $99 a month | IRS balance and collection monitoring, 1040 preparation, withholding analysis, ID theft protection |
| Self-Employed Protection Plan | $199 a month | Individual plan items plus audit assistance, quarterly estimate analysis, P&L preparation, $1,000,000 ID theft insurance |
IRS fees are separate. An Offer in Compromise application costs $205 unless you qualify as low income, and payment plans carry IRS setup fees from $0 to $178.
Civic Tax Relief, step by step
Free consultation
You call or fill in the web form, which asks for your state and a tax debt of at least $10,000. A consultant reviews your situation and quotes a fee.
Investigation Phase
You sign the client agreement and pay the investigation fee. Civic reviews your IRS account and decides which resolution to pursue; this fee is refundable for 15 calendar days.
Resolution Phase
If you sign the Resolution Phase Addendum, Civic negotiates with the IRS or state, for example an installment agreement, Currently Not Collectible status or an Offer in Compromise. This fee is not covered by the refund policy.
IRS decision
The IRS, not Civic, decides whether to accept an offer or plan. The company says most cases take 90 days to 9 months.
Stay compliant
You must keep filing and paying current taxes, or the agreement can default. Civic sells $99 and $199 monthly plans for ongoing monitoring and tax prep.
Civic Tax Relief legitimacy and licensing
Yes, it’s a real company. Civic Tax Relief, Inc. is based at 555 Anton Blvd. in Costa Mesa, California, started in January 2017 according to the BBB, and has been BBB accredited with an A+ rating since January 2019. The BBB shows 9 complaints in the last three years, which is low for a national tax relief firm. We found no complaints naming it in the CFPB database and no FTC or state attorney general action in searches on October 12, 2026.
Legit doesn’t mean right for you. Civic’s own disclaimer says it does not guarantee your tax debt will be lowered by any amount, and the IRS warns about firms that sell Offers in Compromise to people who don’t qualify. Ask who will work your case and whether that person is a CPA, Enrolled Agent or attorney, since only those professionals can fully represent you before the IRS.
Civic Tax Relief cost
Civic doesn’t publish its fees for tax resolution. You get a quote after a free consultation. Its client agreement splits work into an Investigation Phase and a Resolution Phase, and each has its own fee. The only published prices are its monthly protection plans: $99 a month for the Individual Plan and $199 a month for the Self-Employed Plan.
The home page says “Results Before Fees,” but its refund policy refers to a fee paid for the Investigation Phase, so expect to pay before the IRS makes any decision. IRS charges are on top: $205 to apply for 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 (waived for low income applicants) and $0 to $178 to set up a payment plan, depending on how you apply. Ask for the total of both phases in writing before you sign.
How Civic Tax Relief works
After the consultation you sign a client agreement and pay for the investigation, where Civic reviews your IRS account and decides which option fits. If you go ahead, a Resolution Phase Addendum covers the negotiation. Options include an Installment agreement. An IRS payment plan that lets you pay a balance over time. Compare tax relief companies, Currently not collectible. An IRS status that pauses collection because of financial hardship; the debt remains. Compare tax relief companies status, Penalty abatement. The IRS removal of penalties for reasonable cause or a first-time issue. Compare tax relief companies, help releasing a levy or wage garnishment, and an Offer in Compromise. The company says it generally resolves cases in 90 days to 9 months.
The IRS decides every outcome. An Offer in Compromise is accepted only when the IRS agrees you can’t pay the full amount, and you must have filed all required returns and be current on estimated payments to apply.
What customers say about Civic Tax Relief
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Collection notices, liens and levies handled so clients don't deal with the IRS directly
- Regular updates from an assigned case worker
- Friendly staff and reminders to send documents
- Outcomes such as Currently Not Collectible status or reduced balances, reported in reviews the company publishes
Common complaints
- Paying fees without the debt reduction the client expected
- Cases taking longer than promised
- Requests for more money after the first payment
- Little review volume on independent sites, so patterns are hard to judge
Civic Tax Relief complaints and red flags
Independent review volume is thin: one Trustpilot review and a handful on other sites, so you can’t learn much from star ratings. The complaints that do exist describe paying fees without the reduction the client expected, slow progress and requests for more money after the first payment.
Read the company’s reviews page with care. It lists Offers in Compromise settled for $50 to $2,038 on balances up to $95,456. Those are selected cases, and the footnote says results vary. To reach the company, use the Costa Mesa address and (800) 857-5455 from its Contact page, or the number on its BBB file.
Cancellation and refunds
Civic will refund money paid under its client agreement within the first 15 calendar days, but only the fee for the Investigation Phase. The refund doesn’t apply if you enrolled with its Immediate Action Team or signed a Resolution Phase Addendum. Get the cancellation terms in writing, and don’t sign the resolution addendum until you understand which IRS option they plan to use and why you qualify.
Rules and free help that protect you
The IRS put aggressive or misleading Offer in Compromise marketing on its 2026 Dirty Dozen list of scams, warning that these firms overpromise and charge high fees to people who don’t qualify. Before you pay anyone, use the IRS’s free Offer in Compromise pre-qualifier and check whether you can get an online payment plan. Only attorneys, CPAs and Enrolled Agents have unlimited rights to represent you before the IRS, and you can confirm a representative by checking the Form 2848 power of attorney you sign. If you’re in financial hardship, the Taxpayer Advocate Service and Low Income Taxpayer Clinics help for free. Neither Civic nor any firm can stop the IRS from charging penalties and interest while your case is open.
Who should skip Civic Tax Relief
You probably don’t need a tax relief firm if you owe under $50,000, have filed every return and can afford a monthly payment, since the IRS lets you set up a long-term plan online. You should also pass if a salesperson promises a specific settlement amount before reviewing your IRS records, or if you can’t get the total fee in writing. A firm like Civic makes more sense when you have unfiled returns, an active levy or garnishment, state tax debt too, or simply can’t face the IRS calls yourself.
Alternatives to Civic Tax Relief
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Deal with the IRS directly
If you owe $50,000 or less and have filed all returns, you can set up a payment plan online for a setup fee of $0 to $69, 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 an independent IRS office or a clinic if your problem is causing financial hardship or the IRS isn't responding.
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A larger firm with the same two phase model, worth getting a second quote from before you pay anyone.
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A local CPA, Enrolled Agent or tax attorney
Hourly or flat-fee help from someone whose license you can check, often cheaper for simple payment plans.
Next steps
Civic Tax Relief reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is Civic Tax Relief a legitimate company?
Yes. It's a registered California company based in Costa Mesa, operating since 2017, with an A+ BBB rating and BBB accreditation since 2019. We found no regulator actions against it. That makes it a real business, not a promise of results.
How much does Civic Tax Relief charge?
It doesn't publish resolution fees; you get a quote after a free consultation, split into Investigation and Resolution phases. Its monthly protection plans cost $99 for individuals and $199 for the self-employed. IRS fees, such as the $205 Offer in Compromise application fee, are extra.
What is Civic Tax Relief's BBB rating?
A+. The BBB lists it as accredited since January 25, 2019, with 9 complaints in the last three years and 134 customer reviews as of October 2026.
Does Civic Tax Relief offer a money-back guarantee?
Only a limited one. It refunds the Investigation Phase fee if you cancel within 15 calendar days. Fees for the Resolution Phase or its Immediate Action Team aren't refundable under that policy.
Can Civic Tax Relief get my tax debt forgiven?
It can apply for an Offer in Compromise or other relief on your behalf, but only the IRS decides. The company itself says it doesn't guarantee your debt will be lowered by any amount, and most taxpayers who can pay in full over time won't qualify for an offer.
What's the minimum tax debt Civic Tax Relief works with?
Its sign-up form offers debt amounts starting at $10,000, so that appears to be the practical minimum. Confirm this on the consultation call.
How long does Civic Tax Relief take?
Civic says most cases wrap up in 90 days to 9 months. Offers in Compromise often run longer, since the IRS controls that timeline.
Does Civic Tax Relief help with state taxes?
Yes. Its settlement page says it works with the IRS and state taxing authorities. Ask which states it handles, since its disclaimer says services are not available in all states.
Can I settle my tax debt without a tax relief company?
Often, yes. You can apply for an IRS payment plan online if you owe $50,000 or less and filed all returns, use the IRS Offer in Compromise pre-qualifier, and apply with Form 656 yourself. The Taxpayer Advocate Service and Low Income Taxpayer Clinics offer free help.
Who owns Civic Tax Relief?
The BBB lists its company leadership on its business profile, but the company website doesn't name owners or its licensed staff. Ask who will represent you and check their credential before you sign.
Sources (16)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Civic Tax Relief: home page and disclaimers (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Civic Tax Relief: Individual Protection Plan (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Civic Tax Relief: Self-Employed Protection Plan (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Civic Tax Relief: Reviews page (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Civic Tax Relief: Contact Us (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Civic Tax Relief Inc profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Civic Tax Relief (accessed October 12, 2026)
- CFPB: Consumer Complaint Database search (accessed October 12, 2026)
- IRS: Offer in Compromise (accessed October 12, 2026)
- IRS: Payment plans (installment agreements) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- IRS: Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2026 (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Optima Tax Relief profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Anthem Tax Services profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Optima Tax Relief: home page and guarantee disclaimer (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Civic Tax Relief: Tax Settlement (accessed October 12, 2026)
- IRS: Taxpayer Advocate Service (accessed October 12, 2026)
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