On this page13 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Tax Relief Advocates vs. competitors
- Step by step
- Tax Relief Advocates legitimacy and licensing
- Tax Relief Advocates cost
- What the IRS lets you do yourself
- How Tax Relief Advocates Works
- Tax Relief Advocates complaints and reviews
- Arbitration and your rights
- Who should skip Tax Relief Advocates
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Tax Relief Advocates is an active, BBB-accredited tax resolution company (A+, accredited since 2018) that runs its business from tra.com and a call center at 16808 Armstrong Ave in Irvine, California. It is a high-volume firm: the BBB shows 633 complaints and 1,785 reviews in three years, and Trustpilot reviewers who are unhappy describe fees of $6,000 or more, slow progress after payment and hard-to-get refunds. It publishes no fees and names no attorneys or enrolled agents on its site, and its terms require arbitration unless you opt out within 30 days. Use it only as a comparison quote, and check free IRS options first.
Your options
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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. This review Taxpayers who want a second or third quote from a large, BBB-accredited firm and will get the fee and refund terms in writing.
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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.
- Status
- Operating as of October 2026 at tra.com; the older taxreliefadvocates.com domain shows a GoDaddy parking page1
- Company
- Tax Relief Advocates, 16808 Armstrong Ave, Suite 215, Irvine, CA 92606; CEO Lindsay Oglesby, per the BBB4
- In business since
- May 11, 2017, per the BBB4
- Fees
- Not published; the site describes free consultation, investigation and resolution phases1
- Staff
- The site refers to "tax relief experts and attorneys" but names none; the State Bar lists attorney Robert A. Bragaw (#277138, active) with Tax Relief Advocates as his firm6
- Disputes
- Binding JAMS arbitration and class action waiver, with a 30-day right to opt out in writing2
- Phone
- 800-501-4249 on tra.com; (800) 556-5014 on the BBB profile; [email protected]3
Pros
- BBB A+ and accredited since 2018
- Free consultation
- Handles IRS and state debt, audits, levies and garnishments
- Many positive reviews naming individual staff
- Arbitration clause can be opted out of within 30 days
Cons
- 633 BBB complaints in three years
- No fees or refund terms published
- No attorneys or enrolled agents named on its site
- Old domain parked, so links to taxreliefadvocates.com no longer work
- Form consents to automated marketing calls and texts
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.
Skip it if: You owe under $50,000 and can set up an IRS payment plan yourself, or you want to know who will represent you before you call.
Tax Relief Advocates vs. competitors
| Company | BBB rating | BBB complaints, last 3 years | Named staff on site | Fees published | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax Relief Advocates | A+, accredited since 2018 | 633 | No | No | Visit site |
| Optima Tax Relief | A+, accredited since 2012 | 805 | No | Visit site | |
| Tax Law Advocates | A+, accredited since 2011 | 30 | Yes | No | Visit site |
| Anthem Tax Services | A+, accredited since 2017 | 83 | Yes | No | Read review |
Tax relief companies we reviewed
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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. This review 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. -
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. -
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 Law 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: 4.5 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: Taxpayers or business owners with larger or complex IRS problems, such as payroll tax or levies, who want an attorney involved and a firm with a long BBB record.
Tax Relief Advocates, step by step
Free consultation
You answer questions about what you owe and your state, then a representative calls. Submitting the form consents to automated calls, prerecorded messages and texts.
Investigation phase
The firm notifies the IRS that you're represented and reviews your account and programs you may qualify for. Ask what this phase costs and whether it's refundable.
Resolution phase
It prepares and submits requests such as a payment plan, Offer in Compromise or penalty relief and negotiates with the IRS or state.
Outcome
The IRS or state decides. You must stay current on future filings and payments to keep any agreement.
Tax Relief Advocates legitimacy and licensing
Yes, it is a real, operating company. Tax Relief Advocates has been BBB accredited since September 5, 2018, holds an A+ rating, and lists CEO Lindsay Oglesby and an office at 16808 Armstrong Ave in Irvine, California. Its current website is tra.com. The older taxreliefadvocates.com address, which some review sites and our earlier listings used, now shows a GoDaddy parking page, which is why that site appeared to be down.
Volume is the issue. The BBB lists 633 complaints in three years, one of the higher counts among the firms we track, alongside 1,785 customer reviews. The site mentions attorneys but names none; the State Bar of California lists attorney Robert A. Bragaw (active, #277138) with Tax Relief Advocates as his firm. Its home page headline, “The IRS Settled $192 Million in 2025,” is not something we could verify, and it isn’t a figure about Tax Relief Advocates’ own results.
Tax Relief Advocates cost
Tax Relief Advocates doesn’t publish prices. Its site describes a free consultation, an investigation phase and a resolution phase, which usually means a fee for the investigation and a larger one for the resolution work. Unhappy Trustpilot reviewers mention paying more than $6,000 and say refunds are rare.
Before you pay, get each phase’s fee, the payment schedule and the refund conditions in writing. The FTC warns against companies that charge large fees up front or promise to settle your debt for a fraction of what you owe.
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 $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: $205 application fee plus a first payment, waived for low-income applicants; the IRS Pre-Qualifier tool is free.
- Fresh Start: the term TRA advertises refers to IRS payment plan, lien and Offer in Compromise rules anyone can use, not a special program a company unlocks.
- Free help: Low Income Taxpayer Clinics and the Taxpayer Advocate Service.
How Tax Relief Advocates Works
Tax Relief Advocates begins with a free consultation to review the taxpayer’s debt, filing history, and financial situation. Based on that review, the firm’s team recommends a resolution path, which can include an Offer in Compromise, an Installment agreement. An IRS payment plan that lets you pay a balance over time. Compare tax relief companies, Penalty abatement. The IRS removal of penalties for reasonable cause or a first-time issue. Compare tax relief companies, or an application under the IRS Fresh Start Program.
Once a client signs on, Tax Relief Advocates communicates directly with the IRS or state tax authority on the client’s behalf. Taxpayers who want to see how tax relief firms stack up against each other before signing can compare tax relief companies side by side.
What customers say about Tax Relief Advocates
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Patient, knowledgeable staff, often named in reviews
- Quick replies and clear explanations early on
- One associate assigned for the whole case, per some clients
Common complaints
- Fees of $6,000 or more with little contact afterward
- Slow document preparation and "radio silence" after payment
- Refunds hard to get
- Inconsistent service on long cases
Tax Relief Advocates complaints and reviews
Reviews split sharply. On Trustpilot, tra.com scores 4.2 out of 5 from 321 reviews, mostly five-star posts praising specific staff. The 21% that are one star describe paying thousands, then waiting months for documents, getting little contact after payment, and struggling to get refunds. The BBB’s 633 complaints in three years point the same way. The Trustpilot profile is unclaimed.
The sign-up form says that by clicking “Next” you consent to automated calls, prerecorded messages and texts, and it has a checkbox for offers from “TRA brands and partners.” Leave that box unchecked if you don’t want them.
Arbitration and your rights
TRA’s terms of use require disputes to go to binding individual arbitration through JAMS and waive class actions. You can opt out by sending written notice within 30 days, as the terms describe. If you sign up, send the opt-out promptly if you want to keep the right to sue. You can also report problems to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general.
Who should skip Tax Relief Advocates
If you owe $50,000 or less and have filed your returns, set up an IRS payment plan yourself. Low-income taxpayers should contact a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. If you want a named attorney or enrolled agent and fewer complaints, compare Tax Law Advocates or Anthem Tax Services.
Alternatives to Tax Relief Advocates
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IRS Online Payment Agreement
If you owe $50,000 or less and have filed all returns, 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.
-
Also in Irvine, but names its tax attorney and enrolled agent and has far fewer BBB complaints.
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Anthem Tax ServicesNames its team and offers a written refund guarantee.
Next steps
Tax Relief Advocates reviews
Written by readers, read by our moderators, never edited by the company.
No reader reviews yet. If you have used Tax Relief Advocates, yours will be the first.
Write a reviewHow do I know I can trust these reviews about Tax Relief Advocates?
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Frequently asked questions
Is Tax Relief Advocates still in business?
Yes. It operates at tra.com from Irvine, California, and is BBB accredited. Its old taxreliefadvocates.com domain is a parked page, which made it look closed.
Is Tax Relief Advocates legitimate and safe to use?
It is a real, BBB A+ accredited company in business since 2017. It also has 633 BBB complaints in three years, so get every fee and promise in writing.
How much does Tax Relief Advocates charge?
It doesn't publish fees. Expect separate investigation and resolution fees; some unhappy reviewers report paying over $6,000.
What is TRA's phone number?
Its website lists 800-501-4249 and [email protected]. The BBB lists (800) 556-5014.
Where is Tax Relief Advocates located?
16808 Armstrong Ave, Suite 215, Irvine, California 92606, per the BBB and its contact page.
Does Tax Relief Advocates have tax attorneys?
Its site mentions attorneys but names none. The State Bar of California lists attorney Robert A. Bragaw with Tax Relief Advocates as his firm; ask who will sign your Form 2848.
Can I get a refund from Tax Relief Advocates?
Refund terms aren't published. Reviewers say refunds are hard to get, so ask for the refund policy in your agreement before paying.
Do I have to arbitrate disputes with TRA?
Its terms require JAMS arbitration and waive class actions unless you opt out in writing within 30 days.
What is the IRS Fresh Start Program?
It is the IRS's name for expanded payment plan, lien and Offer in Compromise rules, available to anyone who qualifies. You don't need a company to use them.
Can I settle my tax debt myself?
Yes. Apply online for a payment plan, check Offer in Compromise eligibility with the free IRS Pre-Qualifier, or get free help from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic.
Sources (16)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Tax Relief Advocates (TRA): Home page (accessed October 13, 2026)
- TRA: Terms of Use (accessed October 13, 2026)
- TRA: Contact (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: Tax Relief Advocates, Irvine, CA (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Trustpilot: TRA (tra.com) reviews (accessed October 13, 2026)
- State Bar of California: Robert A. Bragaw, #277138 (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Wayback Machine: taxreliefadvocates.com parking page (July 2025) (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: Taxpayer Advocate Service (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Optima Tax Relief (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Tax Law Advocates (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: Anthem Tax Services (accessed October 12, 2026)
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