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Optima Tax Relief's ratings are strong on Trustpilot (4.5 from 5,322 reviews) but the BBB logged 805 complaints in three years. It is a legitimate, BBB accredited tax resolution firm that names its attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents and handles IRS and state tax cases. The tradeoff is cost and certainty: it publishes no fees, its money-back guarantee covers only the investigation phase fee and only within 15 days, and its own FAQ says it may not be able to save you any money. Get the full fee and a written scope before you sign, and check whether a free IRS payment plan solves your problem first.
Your options
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Optima Tax Relief This review 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.
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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
- Optima Tax Relief, LLC, 6 Hutton Centre Dr Ste 300, Santa Ana, CA 927077
- Founded
- 2011, per the company; BBB lists a business start of June 2, 20104
- Fees
- Not published; quoted after a free consultation, split into an investigation phase and a resolution phase3
- Refund
- Investigation phase fee only, if requested within 15 calendar days of signing; resolution fees and Immediate Action Team enrollments excluded3
- Typical timeline
- 2 to 12 months for most cases, per the company FAQ3
- Availability
- Services are not available in all states; the site doesn’t list which3
- BBB
- A+, accredited since June 18, 2012; 805 complaints in the last 3 years7
- Trustpilot
- 4.5 out of 5 from 5,322 reviews; 10% one star8
Pros
- Names its attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents on its own site
- BBB A+ and accredited since 2012
- Handles IRS and state tax, audits and unfiled returns
- Written 15-day refund of the investigation phase fee
- Strong Trustpilot score with replies to negative reviews
Cons
- No fees published anywhere on the site
- 805 BBB complaints in three years
- Refund doesn't cover resolution fees
- Not available in every state, and the site doesn't say which
- Company says it may not save you any money
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.
Skip it if: You only need a basic IRS payment plan, which you can set up yourself online for free.
Optima Tax Relief vs. competitors
| Company | BBB | Fees published | Refund terms | Who works cases | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima Tax Relief | A+, accredited since 2012 | No | Investigation phase fee, within 15 days | Attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents named | Visit site |
| Community Tax | A+, accredited since 2015 | Flat fees, amounts not published | No result guaranteed for resolution work | Enrolled agents, CPAs and tax attorneys | Visit site |
| TaxRise | A+, accredited | No | Refund of resolution fee if not enrolled in a resolution | Visit site | |
| Anthem Tax Services | A+, accredited since 2017 | No | Limited money-back guarantee; excludes minimum deposit | IRS-licensed enrolled agents | Read review |
Tax relief companies we reviewed
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Optima Tax Relief This review 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. -
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. -
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. -
Community 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: 4.2 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 who owe the IRS more than they can pay, face a levy or garnishment, or have several unfiled years and want licensed professionals to handle the IRS.
Optima Tax Relief pricing at a glance
How Optima Tax Relief charges, as described October 20263
| Stage | What happens | Fee | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free consultation | A specialist reviews your debt, income and notices | Free | Not applicable |
| Investigation phase | Optima pulls IRS transcripts, checks compliance and picks a strategy | Not published | Yes, if requested within 15 calendar days of signing |
| Resolution phase | Negotiation of an installment agreement, offer in compromise, penalty abatement or other option | Not published | No |
| IRS and state costs | What you owe the government, plus any IRS fees such as the $205 offer in compromise application fee | Paid by you, separately | IRS application fee is not returned |
Optima doesn’t publish dollar amounts. Penalties and interest keep growing until the tax is paid. Ask for every fee in the Client Services Agreement in writing before you pay.
Optima Tax Relief, step by step
Free consultation
You call or fill in a form, and a specialist asks about how much you owe, your income and any IRS or state letters.
Sign the Client Services Agreement
You pay the investigation phase fee. You have 15 calendar days to ask for that fee back.
Investigation
Optima files a power of attorney, pulls your IRS transcripts and checks for missing returns, liens and levies.
Resolution
If you agree to the plan and the second fee, its attorneys, CPAs or enrolled agents negotiate with the IRS or state.
Close out
Most cases take 2 to 12 months. You track progress and documents in the client portal.
Optima Tax Relief legitimacy and licensing
Yes. Optima Tax Relief, LLC is a real tax resolution firm based at 6 Hutton Centre Drive in Santa Ana, California. The company says it was founded in 2011, and the BBB lists a business start date of June 2010. It has been BBB accredited since June 2012 and holds an A+ rating. Its about page names the attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents on staff, which you can check against the IRS enrolled agent lookup and state bar and CPA board records.
Legit doesn’t mean right for everyone. Optima’s own FAQ says it may not be able to save you any money, and its disclaimer says it doesn’t guarantee your tax will be lowered, paid off in a set time, or that you’ll qualify for any IRS program. It also says some testimonials on its site may have been paid. We found no FTC, CFPB or state attorney general action naming Optima Tax Relief. Some older BestGuide text said the FTC and CFPB list Optima as a legitimate company; neither agency publishes such a list.
Optima Tax Relief cost
Optima doesn’t publish prices. You get a quote after the free consultation, and you pay in two stages: an investigation phase fee first, then a separate resolution phase fee if you go ahead. Third-party sites quote very different figures, and we couldn’t confirm any of them on Optima’s site, so treat any number you hear online as a guess.
On top of Optima’s fees you still owe the tax itself, and penalties and interest keep adding up until it’s paid. The IRS also charges its own fees, such as the $205 application fee 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). Ask Optima for the total expected cost of both phases in writing, and what happens to your money if the IRS rejects the plan.
How Optima Tax Relief works
After the consultation you sign a Client Services Agreement and pay for the investigation phase. Optima’s team pulls your IRS records, checks which years are unfiled, and looks for liens, levies and garnishments. It then recommends an option, such as an Installment agreement. An IRS payment plan that lets you pay a balance over time. Compare tax relief companies, an offer in compromise, Currently not collectible. An IRS status that pauses collection because of financial hardship; the debt remains. Compare tax relief companies status or Penalty abatement. The IRS removal of penalties for reasonable cause or a first-time issue. Compare tax relief companies.
In the resolution phase its tax pros deal with the IRS or your state for you. The company says most cases finish in 2 to 12 months, depending on how quickly you send documents and how fast the tax agency responds. It also offers tax preparation for missing returns, audit representation and an Immediate Action Team for urgent levies.
What customers say about Optima Tax Relief
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Friendly, patient staff on the phone
- Clear explanations of IRS options during a stressful time
- Relief once collections or garnishments are paused
Common complaints
- Total cost higher than expected, or more money asked for mid-case
- Long waits for callbacks and few status updates
- Different answers from different staff members
- Outcomes that didn’t match what the sales call suggested
- Refund denied after the 15-day window
Optima Tax Relief complaints
The BBB recorded 805 complaints in the three years to October 2026. That’s a lot in absolute terms, though Optima is one of the bigger firms in the industry. Trustpilot reviews are mostly positive (4.5 out of 5 from 5,322 reviews), but the 10% that are one star repeat the same problems: slow callbacks, few updates, different answers from different staff, and total fees higher than people expected.
Most disputes come down to what was promised on the sales call. Before you pay, get the plan, the full fee for both phases and the refund terms in writing, and keep copies of every IRS letter so you can check progress yourself.
Refunds and cancellation
Optima’s written guarantee refunds what you paid for the investigation phase if you ask within the first 15 calendar days after you sign. It doesn’t cover resolution phase fees, extra services, or enrollment with the Immediate Action Team. After day 15 there’s no published refund right, so if you’re unsure, decide inside that window.
Free IRS options and how to protect yourself
Tax relief firms can’t get you anything you couldn’t apply for yourself. You can set up a payment plan on the IRS website, check whether you’d qualify for an offer in compromise with the IRS pre-qualifier, and get free help from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic or the Taxpayer Advocate Service if you qualify. The IRS lists aggressive “OIC mills” on its 2026 Dirty Dozen scams list, warning that they overpromise results and charge high fees to people who don’t qualify.
If you hire a firm, check that the people on your case are enrolled agents, CPAs or attorneys, never pay a large fee before you see a written plan, and keep talking to the IRS if a deadline is close.
Alternatives to Optima Tax Relief
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IRS online payment agreement
Free to apply for yourself if you can pay over time, and it’s what many tax relief firms end up setting up.
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Low Income Taxpayer Clinics and the Taxpayer Advocate Service
Free or low-cost help if your income qualifies or the IRS is causing you financial hardship.
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A similar full-service firm with a BBB A+ rating and far fewer complaints, worth a second quote.
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A local enrolled agent or CPA
Often cheaper for a simple payment plan or penalty abatement, and you deal with one person.
Next steps
Optima Tax Relief reviews
Written by readers, read by our moderators, never edited by the company.
No reader reviews yet. If you have used Optima Tax Relief, yours will be the first.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Optima Tax Relief trustworthy?
Yes. It's a real Santa Ana, California firm with a BBB A+ rating and accreditation since 2012, and it names its attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents. We found no FTC, CFPB or state attorney general action against it.
How much does Optima Tax Relief cost?
Optima doesn't publish fees. You pay an investigation phase fee, then a separate resolution phase fee, both quoted after the free consultation. Get both amounts in writing before you sign.
Does Optima Tax Relief offer a money-back guarantee?
Only for the investigation phase fee, and only if you ask within 15 calendar days of signing. Resolution fees, extra services and Immediate Action Team enrollments aren't covered.
How long does Optima Tax Relief take?
The company says most cases take 2 to 12 months. Timing depends on how quickly you return documents and how fast the IRS or state responds.
Can Optima Tax Relief reduce my tax debt?
Sometimes, through an offer in compromise or penalty abatement, but only if you qualify. Optima's own FAQ says it may not be able to save you any money, and many cases end in a payment plan instead.
What is the minimum debt for Optima Tax Relief?
Optima doesn't publish a minimum. Ask during the consultation, since firm fees can outweigh any savings on smaller balances.
Does Optima Tax Relief handle state taxes?
Yes. Its FAQ says it handles state tax issues alongside federal ones, though its services aren't offered in every state.
How many complaints does Optima Tax Relief have?
The BBB shows 805 complaints in the last three years. On Trustpilot, about 10% of 5,322 reviews are one star.
Who owns Optima Tax Relief?
It's a privately held company. The BBB lists it as Optima Tax Relief, LLC in Santa Ana, California, and Optima doesn't publish its ownership.
Can I settle with the IRS without a tax relief company?
Yes. You can apply for a payment plan or an offer in compromise yourself on irs.gov. The IRS charges a $205 application fee for an offer in compromise, waived for low-income applicants.
Sources (12)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Optima Tax Relief: home (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Optima Tax Relief: about us (accessed October 11, 2026)
- Optima Tax Relief: tax FAQs and guarantee disclaimer (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Optima Tax Relief: 14 years of service press release (accessed October 11, 2026)
- Optima Tax Relief: terms of use (accessed October 11, 2026)
- IRS: Offer in compromise (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: Optima Tax Relief profile (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Optima Tax Relief reviews (accessed October 13, 2026)
- CFPB: consumer complaint database search (accessed October 13, 2026)
- IRS: Online payment agreement application (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Taxpayer Advocate Service: Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (accessed October 13, 2026)
- IRS: Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2026 (accessed October 13, 2026)
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