On this page13 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Tax Group Center vs. competitors
- Step by step
- Tax Group Center legitimacy and licensing
- Tax Group Center cost
- What the IRS lets you do yourself
- How Tax Group Center Works
- Tax Group Center complaints
- Questions to ask before you sign
- Who should skip Tax Group Center
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Tax Group Center, Inc. is a real tax resolution company based in Southern California with a second office in Idaho; the BBB lists it as started in 2009, rates it A+ and shows 59 complaints in three years. It says it uses attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents and CTEC-registered preparers and offers a "100% Price Protection Policy," but it names no staff, publishes no fees, and its few Trustpilot reviews include reports of unpaid refunds and debts that weren't reduced. Treat it as one quote among several: get the fee, refund terms and your representative's name in writing, and check whether you can set up an IRS payment plan yourself first.
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
- Tax Group Center, Inc.; website lists headquarters in Calabasas, CA and a second office in Post Falls, ID; BBB lists 15260 Ventura Blvd #1200, Sherman Oaks, CA2
- In business since
- October 21, 2009, per the BBB; the website claims "over 30 years of experience" for its professionals4
- Fees
- Not published; the FAQ says cost depends on the work, the type of resolution and whether you're in collections3
- Fee promise
- "100% Price Protection Policy"; written terms not published1
- Case size
- Advertises handling cases from $10,000 to $500,000 or more1
- Staff
- Says it employs CTEC-certified tax consultants, enrolled agents, tax attorneys and CPAs; none are named on the site2
- Marketing consent
- Its free evaluation form says you agree to prerecorded or autodialed calls and about 10 texts a month and waive any Do Not Call registration1
- Phone
- (800) 746-1322 on the website; (800) 264-1869 on the BBB profile1
Pros
- BBB A+ rating
- Free evaluation and phone quote
- Handles IRS and state debt, audits, payroll tax and unfiled returns, plus tax prep and bookkeeping
- Says it serves all 50 states
- Promises the agreed fee won't increase
Cons
- BBB accreditation only since September 2025, with 59 complaints in three years
- No fees or staff names published
- Sign-up form waives Do Not Call protection for marketing calls and texts
- Few public reviews; Trustpilot reports include unpaid refunds
- Website didn't load for us on October 13, 2026
Best for: Taxpayers owing $10,000 or more who want a second quote from a firm that also does tax preparation and bookkeeping.
Skip it if: You owe under $50,000 and can request an IRS payment plan yourself, or you want published fees and a named representative before you call.
Tax Group Center vs. competitors
| Company | BBB rating | BBB complaints, last 3 years | Fees published | Refund or fee promise | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax Group Center | A+, accredited since 2025 | 59 | No | Price Protection Policy; terms not published | |
| Optima Tax Relief | A+, accredited since 2012 | 805 | No | Investigation fee refundable within 15 days | Visit site |
| Anthem Tax Services | A+, accredited since 2017 | 83 | No | Refund if it can't improve your position, minus deposit | Read review |
| Tax Network USA | A, accredited since 2020 | 164 | Only the $49.99 Discovery Fee | None; fees non-refundable | Visit site |
Tax relief companies we reviewed
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Tax Group Center 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: 4.3 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: Taxpayers owing $10,000 or more who want a second quote from a firm that also does tax preparation and bookkeeping. -
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.
Tax Group Center, step by step
Free evaluation
You enter your tax debt range, number of unfiled returns and state, then a representative calls. Submitting the form also signs you up for marketing calls and texts.
Consultation and analysis
The firm reviews your IRS or state account and recommends a path such as a payment plan, Offer in Compromise or Currently Non-Collectible status.
Fee agreement
Fees are quoted by phone. Get the total, the payment schedule, what the "Price Protection Policy" covers and the refund terms in writing.
Power of attorney
A representative files IRS Form 2848 and takes over contact with the IRS or state. Check that person's credential before you sign.
Compliance and resolution
Missing returns are filed and the request goes to the IRS or state, which alone decides the outcome. The firm's FAQ estimates about seven months for a settlement.
Tax Group Center legitimacy and licensing
Tax Group Center, Inc. is a registered business with a BBB A+ rating, not a fake website. The BBB lists a start date of October 21, 2009, an office in Sherman Oaks, California, and a Coeur d’Alene, Idaho location; the company’s own site lists headquarters in Calabasas and a second office in Post Falls, Idaho. It became BBB accredited only on September 18, 2025, and the BBB shows 59 complaints in the past three years. Our search of news and regulator sites found no FTC, CFPB or state attorney general action naming the company.
What you can’t check is who would handle your case. The site says its team includes CTEC-certified tax consultants, enrolled agents, tax attorneys and CPAs, but it names none of them. Its website also timed out for us on October 13, 2026; we relied on archived copies from May and June 2026.
Tax Group Center cost
Tax Group Center doesn’t publish prices. Its FAQ says cost depends on how much work your case needs, the type of resolution and whether you’re already in collections, and the first consultation is free. It advertises a “100% Price Protection Policy,” which it describes as a fee that won’t increase after you sign, but the written terms aren’t posted.
On Trustpilot, one reviewer says a $17,000 fee didn’t reduce the debt, another says an agreed $24,000 refund was never paid, and a third reports unexpected hourly charges. Before you pay, get the total fee, the payment schedule, the refund conditions and the Price Protection terms in a signed agreement. The FTC warns against paying a large fee before any work is done.
What the IRS lets you do yourself
- Payment plans: individuals who owe $50,000 or less and have filed all returns can apply online for a long-term plan for a $69 setup fee, or $29 with direct debit; short-term plans of 180 days or less have no setup fee.
- Offer in compromise. An IRS agreement to settle tax debt for less than the full amount when you cannot pay. Compare tax relief companies: the IRS charges a $205 application fee plus a first payment, waived for low-income applicants, and has a free Pre-Qualifier tool.
- Penalty relief: you can request first-time abatement or reasonable cause relief yourself.
- Free help: Low Income Taxpayer Clinics and the Taxpayer Advocate Service help at no or low cost.
Only the IRS or your state decides whether you qualify, and no company can promise a result.
How Tax Group Center Works
Tax Group Center starts with a free, no-obligation evaluation collected through an online form or phone call, covering the size of the debt, the number of unfiled returns, and the state where the taxpayer lives. A tax professional then reviews the case and recommends a resolution path, such as an Offer in Compromise, an Installment agreement. An IRS payment plan that lets you pay a balance over time. Compare tax relief companies, or Currently Non-Collectible status.
Once a client signs on, Tax Group Center’s attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents take over direct communication with the IRS or state tax authority. The firm states it offers a 100% Price Protection Policy, meaning the fee agreed upon at signing does not increase as the case proceeds, though BestGuide could not independently verify the terms of this policy beyond the company’s own description.
What customers say about Tax Group Center
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Free initial consultation
- Responsive staff who explain the process in plain language
- Regular case updates, in some 2026 reviews
Common complaints
- Refunds promised but not paid
- Large fees paid without the tax debt being reduced
- Unexpected hourly or per-task charges
- Calls and emails going unanswered once the case starts
Tax Group Center complaints
Public reviews are thin: 12 on the BBB and 8 on Trustpilot. Of the Trustpilot reviews, the 2026 five-star ones praise responsiveness and clear explanations, while the one-star ones describe a promised refund that was never paid, a large fee with no reduction in the debt, extra hourly charges, and lost documents. The BBB lists 59 complaints in three years, far more than its 12 reviews.
The sign-up form is also worth reading closely: by requesting a free evaluation you agree to prerecorded or autodialed calls and about 10 texts a month from Tax Group Center and its affiliates, and you waive any Do Not Call registration. You can call instead of using the form.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Who will sign Form 2848 as my representative, and what is their enrolled agent, CPA or bar number?
- What is the total fee, and exactly what does the Price Protection Policy cover?
- What is refunded if I cancel, or if the IRS rejects the request?
- Will you first file my missing returns and ask the IRS for a collection hold?
- Can I opt out of marketing calls and texts now?
Walk away from anyone who says you already qualify for a settlement before reviewing your income and expenses.
Who should skip Tax Group Center
If you owe $50,000 or less and have filed your returns, an IRS payment plan you set up yourself costs far less. Low-income taxpayers should start with a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. If you want published fees and named, verifiable staff, compare firms such as Anthem Tax Services or hire a local enrolled agent or CPA directly.
Alternatives to Tax Group Center
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IRS Online Payment Agreement
If you owe $50,000 or less and have filed all returns, you can set up a long-term plan yourself for a $69 online fee, or $29 with direct debit.
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Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
Independent clinics represent eligible taxpayers for free or a small fee in disputes with the IRS.
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Anthem Tax ServicesNames its enrolled agents and attorneys and puts a refund guarantee in writing.
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A local enrolled agent or CPA
Hiring a named professional directly means you know who holds your power of attorney and can verify their license.
Next steps
Tax Group Center reviews
Written by readers, read by our moderators, never edited by the company.
No reader reviews yet. If you have used Tax Group Center, yours will be the first.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Tax Group Center a legitimate company?
Yes. Tax Group Center, Inc. is a registered California business that the BBB lists as started in 2009, with an A+ rating and accreditation since September 2025. It has 59 BBB complaints in three years and doesn't name its staff.
How much does Tax Group Center charge?
It doesn't publish fees. The cost depends on your case and is quoted after a free consultation; get the full fee and refund terms in writing.
What is Tax Group Center's Price Protection Policy?
The company says the fee you agree to won't increase. It doesn't post the written terms, so ask for them in your agreement.
Where is Tax Group Center located?
Its website lists headquarters in Calabasas, California, and a second office in Post Falls, Idaho. The BBB lists 15260 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, California.
Does Tax Group Center have tax attorneys?
It says its team includes tax attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents and CTEC-certified preparers but names none. Ask who will represent you and verify their license.
What is the minimum tax debt Tax Group Center works with?
It advertises cases from $10,000 to $500,000 or more, though its form accepts smaller amounts. For smaller debts, an IRS payment plan is often the cheaper route.
Will Tax Group Center call or text me after I fill out the form?
Yes. The form says you agree to prerecorded or autodialed calls and about 10 texts a month and waive Do Not Call registration. Reply STOP or ask to be removed if you don't want them.
How long does Tax Group Center take to settle with the IRS?
Its FAQ estimates about seven months for most settlements, including about a month to build the case and three to four months of IRS review. The IRS controls the timeline.
Can Tax Group Center guarantee a lower tax bill?
No company can. Only the IRS or your state decides whether you qualify for an Offer in Compromise, payment plan or penalty relief.
Can I get a payment plan from the IRS without a company?
Yes. If you owe $50,000 or less and have filed all returns, you can apply online for a $69 setup fee, or $29 with direct debit.
Sources (15)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Tax Group Center: Home page (archived June 18, 2026) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Tax Group Center: About Us (archived May 18, 2026) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Tax Group Center: FAQ (archived May 18, 2026) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: Tax Group Center, Inc., Sherman Oaks, CA (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Tax Group Center reviews (accessed October 13, 2026)
- CFPB: Consumer complaint database search (accessed October 13, 2026)
- FTC: Trouble paying your taxes? (accessed October 12, 2026)
- IRS: Payment plans (installment agreements) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- IRS: Offer in Compromise (accessed October 13, 2026)
- IRS: Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (accessed October 12, 2026)
- IRS: Verify the status of an enrolled agent (accessed October 12, 2026)
- IRS: Taxpayer Advocate Service (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Optima Tax Relief (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Anthem Tax Services (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Tax Network USA (accessed October 13, 2026)
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