4.6/5
Service Evaluation
Dealing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or state tax authorities is rarely a pleasant experience. For many Americans, tax debt spirals out of control due to unforeseen life events, resulting in wage garnishments, bank levies, and sleepless nights. If you are searching for a solution, you have likely come across advertisements for Tax Relief Advocates (TRA), a company based in Brea, California, that promises to help taxpayers resolve their liabilities.
In this comprehensive Tax Relief Advocates Review, we will dig deep into their business model, analyze their customer service reputation, and evaluate whether their services justify the investment. Navigating the tax relief industry can be tricky, as it is filled with varying levels of service quality. Our goal is to provide you with an impartial look at TRA to help you decide if they are the right partner to protect your financial future.
Is Tax Relief Advocates a legitimate company? Can they really stop the IRS from seizing your assets? We answer these questions and more below. If you are currently shopping around for tax assistance, it is crucial to look at multiple options to ensure you get the best representation for your specific case.
Compare Tax Relief Advocates with other top-rated companies
How Tax Relief Advocates Works
Understanding the process is the first step in alleviating tax anxiety. Tax Relief Advocates operates on a structured, two-phase model designed to minimize risk for the client. This approach is standard among reputable firms in the industry, as it prevents clients from paying large fees for a resolution that might not be achievable.
The process generally begins with a Tax Relief Advocates free consultation. During this initial call, a tax analyst will listen to your situation, ask about the amount of debt you owe (typically recommended for clients with $10,000+, though they may accept cases starting at $5,000), and determine if you are a candidate for their services. This assessment is crucial because not every tax situation requires professional intervention; if you owe a small amount, they may advise you on how to handle it yourself.
Phase 1: Investigation and Protection
If you decide to move forward after the consultation, you enter the Investigation Phase. Here, you sign a Power of Attorney (Form 2848) allowing TRA to communicate with the IRS on your behalf. This is a critical step because it immediately places a buffer between you and the tax authorities. Once filed, the IRS is legally required to direct communications to your advocate rather than harassing you at home or work.
During this phase, the team at Tax Relief Advocates pulls your transcripts and analyzes the statute of limitations on your debt. They review your financial compliance to ensure all tax returns are filed. The primary goal here is to diagnose the problem accurately and present you with a roadmap of available options.
Phase 2: Resolution
Once the investigation is complete, the company presents a proposal for resolution. This is where the actual negotiation happens. Depending on your financial status, they may pursue several avenues, including:
- Offer in Compromise (OIC): Negotiating to settle the debt for less than the full amount owed.
- Penalty Abatement: Requesting the removal of penalties based on reasonable cause.
- Installment Agreements: Setting up a manageable monthly payment plan.
- Currently Not Collectible (CNC) Status: Halting collections temporarily due to financial hardship.
The transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 involves a separate fee, which ensures you only pay for negotiation services if a viable solution exists.
Who It’s Best For
While compiling this Tax Relief Advocates Review, it became clear that TRA is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Their services are specialized and best suited for specific financial demographics.
Tax Relief Advocates is best for:
- Individuals with High Debt:Generally, professional help becomes cost-effective if you owe more than $10,000, though Tax Relief Advocates may accept cases with liabilities as low as $5,000 depending on the complexity.
- People Facing Aggressive Collection Actions: If you have received a Notice of Intent to Levy, or if your wages are already being garnished, you need immediate intervention. TRA specializes in emergency actions to halt these processes.
- Taxpayers with Unfiled Returns: Often, debt issues are compounded by years of unfiled returns. TRA has a team that can prepare and file back taxes to bring you into compliance, which is a prerequisite for any settlement negotiation.
- Business Owners: Payroll tax issues can shut down a business. TRA has experience navigating complex business tax liabilities and Trust Fund Recovery Penalties.
Stand Out Features
In a crowded market, Tax Relief Advocates distinguishes itself through a few key operational strengths. These features are designed to provide transparency and speed, two attributes often lacking in the tax resolution space.
Proprietary Software Analysis
TRA utilizes advanced software to analyze your financial situation against IRS allowable standards. This technology helps predict the likelihood of success for various programs, such as an Offer in Compromise, before the paperwork is even submitted. This data-driven approach reduces the “guesswork” often associated with tax settlements.
Rapid Response Team
One of the most terrifying aspects of tax debt is the threat of an IRS bank levy. Can Tax Relief Advocates stop an IRS bank levy? The answer is yes, and they have a dedicated team for it. Their rapid response protocol allows them to file emergency stays and appeals to lift levies and release wage garnishments quickly, sometimes within 24 to 48 hours of retaining their services.
Educational Approach
Rather than simply taking over, TRA emphasizes educating the client. Their representatives take the time to explain why a certain resolution is being proposed. This helps clients avoid falling into the same tax traps in the future.
Pros and Cons
No company is perfect, and an honest Tax Relief Advocates Review must weigh the advantages against the potential downsides.
Pros
- Accredited and Rated: Tax Relief Advocates holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has high ratings on various consumer review platforms like Trustpilot.
- Two-Phase Process: The separation of investigation and resolution protects clients from large upfront commitments without guaranteed results.
- Free Initial Consultation: The Tax Relief Advocates free consultation allows potential clients to gauge the company’s expertise without financial risk.
- Nationwide Service: They are licensed to help taxpayers in all 50 states.
Cons
- Minimum Debt Requirement: Like most major firms, they typically require a minimum debt amount (usually $10,000) to take on a case.
- Cost Transparency on Website: While common in the industry, the website does not list specific prices. Tax Relief Advocates cost and fees vary significantly based on case complexity, which can make it hard to budget without calling them.
- Not a Magic Eraser: Some clients may have unrealistic expectations. Tax relief is a legal process, not a guarantee that debt will disappear completely.
Is Tax Relief Advocates Legit?
A common question we encounter is: Is Tax Relief Advocates a legitimate company? Based on our research and available data, the answer is a resounding yes. The company is a legitimate tax resolution firm headquartered in California.
They are accredited by the BBB with an A+ rating, which is a strong indicator of their commitment to resolving customer complaints. Furthermore, they are members of industry associations such as the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS) or employ professionals who are. They employ Enrolled Agents (EAs) and tax attorneys who are licensed to practice before the IRS.
While no tax company can guarantee a specific outcome—and you should be wary of any that do—TRA’s track record suggests they operate within the legal frameworks provided by the IRS and State authorities to advocate effectively for their clients.
Final Verdict
Tax debt is a heavy burden, but you do not have to carry it alone. After conducting a full Tax Relief Advocates Review, we find them to be a strong contender in the tax resolution market. Their high customer satisfaction ratings, transparent two-step process, and ability to handle emergency levy releases make them a reliable choice for those owing significant back taxes.
However, fees can vary, and it is important to have a clear understanding of the costs after your investigation phase. If you are looking for a team that balances aggressive defense against the IRS with empathetic customer service, Tax Relief Advocates is worth a call.
Before signing any contracts, we always recommend comparing options to ensure you are getting the best value for your specific financial situation.
See Our Top Picks: Best Tax Relief Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tax Relief Advocates a legitimate company?
Yes, Tax Relief Advocates is a legitimate, BBB-accredited company based in the United States. They employ licensed tax professionals, including Enrolled Agents and tax attorneys, to represent clients before the IRS and state tax authorities.
How much does Tax Relief Advocates charge for their services?
Tax Relief Advocates cost and fees are not fixed; they depend entirely on the complexity of your case and the amount of debt owed. Typically, fees range from a few thousand dollars to higher amounts for complex business cases. They usually offer a flexible payment plan to make the fees manageable.
How does the tax relief process work with an advocate?
The process works by first establishing a Power of Attorney, which routes all IRS communication to the advocate. The advocate then pauses collections, investigates your compliance history, files any missing returns, and negotiates a settlement or payment plan (such as an Offer in Compromise) that fits your financial reality.
Can Tax Relief Advocates stop an IRS bank levy?
Yes. One of the primary functions of their service is to stop immediate collection actions. By contacting the IRS and demonstrating that you are working toward a resolution, they can often get a bank levy released or a wage garnishment stopped, provided you act quickly.
How long does it take for Tax Relief Advocates to resolve a case?
The timeline varies by case. A simple installment agreement might be arranged in a few weeks, while a complex Offer in Compromise can take 6 to 12 months due to the slow processing times of the IRS. TRA manages the communication throughout this period so you don’t have to.