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TaxRise fits people who owe a large IRS balance, have unfiled returns or face a levy or garnishment, and want a firm to handle the paperwork and calls. It is a real, BBB-accredited tax resolution company founded in 2017 in Irvine, California, and we found no FTC or state attorney general action against it. The tradeoffs are unpublished fees, a resolution guarantee that covers only the resolution fee, and 673 BBB complaints in three years, many about upfront costs and slow communication. Everything TaxRise arranges, such as payment plans and offers in compromise, you can apply for directly with the IRS, so price the free route first.
Your options
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Tax Rise This review 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.
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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
- Tax Rise Inc., 19900 MacArthur Blvd, Suite 400, Irvine, CA; founded 2017 by CEO Sam Abdullah1
- Services
- Back taxes, unfiled returns, installment agreements, offers in compromise, penalty abatement, Currently Not Collectible status, innocent spouse relief, levy, lien and garnishment release, audit representation1
- Fees
- Not published; a discovery phase fee comes first, then a fixed written quote for the resolution phase1
- Guarantee
- Resolution money-back guarantee refunds only the resolution fee if you are not enrolled in a resolution; excludes tax preparation, eligibility and immediate action fees2
- Results claimed
- Over $1 billion resolved, defined as total taxes covered by payment plans, Currently Not Collectible status and offers in compromise, not money saved1
- BBB
- A+, accredited since June 25, 2018; 673 complaints in the last 3 years; 2,265 customer reviews3
- Trustpilot
- 3.9 out of 5 from 2,399 reviews; 76% five star, 15% one star4
- Availability
- Services are not available in all states, per TaxRise's disclaimer1
- Company-reported rating
- Company-reported Google rating: 4.7 out of 5; TaxRise's site cites 4.7 stars and about 12,800 total reviews; we did not open the Google listing1
Pros
- Handles unfiled returns and IRS negotiation in one place
- Fixed written quote for resolution work after discovery
- Written guarantees, including a free appeal of a rejected offer in compromise
- BBB accredited with an A+ rating since 2018
- Clear disclaimers that results and amounts are not guaranteed
Cons
- No fees published before you call
- Discovery fee is not covered by the money-back guarantee
- 673 BBB complaints in three years
- Mostly phone-based service from one Irvine office
- Not available in every state
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.
Skip it if: You can set up an IRS payment plan yourself, owe a modest amount, or qualify for a free Low Income Taxpayer Clinic.
Tax Rise vs. competitors
| Company | BBB | BBB complaints, last 3 years | Fees published | Refund terms | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TaxRise | A+, accredited since 2018 | 673 | No; discovery fee, then written quote | Resolution fee back if not enrolled in a resolution | 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; excludes minimum deposit | Read review |
| Community Tax | A+, accredited since 2015 | Flat fees, amounts not published | No result guaranteed for resolution work | Visit site |
Tax relief companies we reviewed
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Tax Rise 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 IRS or state balance, unfiled returns or an active levy who want a firm to prepare returns and negotiate 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, step by step
Free consultation
You answer a short online form or call, and a TaxRise representative reviews what you owe and your notices.
Discovery and strategy (paid)
TaxRise pulls your IRS transcripts, reviews your finances and builds a resolution plan. This phase has its own fee.
Written resolution quote
After discovery, TaxRise gives a fixed written quote for the resolution work before more work begins.
Compliance filings
Its tax preparers file any missing returns, since the IRS generally requires you to be current before it agrees to a resolution.
Negotiation with the IRS or state
Its tax professionals request a payment plan, Currently Not Collectible status, penalty relief or an offer in compromise. Penalties and interest keep growing until the debt is paid.
TaxRise legitimacy and licensing
Yes. Tax Rise Inc. is a tax resolution firm at 19900 MacArthur Blvd in Irvine, California, founded in 2017 by CEO Sam Abdullah. The BBB lists it as accredited since June 2018 with an A+ rating, and it says it is a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals and the National Association of Enrolled Agents. We found no FTC or state attorney general action against TaxRise.
Legitimate doesn’t mean low risk. The BBB shows 673 complaints in the last three years, and Trustpilot shows 15% one-star reviews. TaxRise’s own disclaimer says it can’t promise any reduction, timeline or program approval, and that penalties and interest keep growing until your balance is paid.
How much TaxRise costs
TaxRise doesn’t publish prices. It says most clients start with a low-cost discovery phase, in which it pulls IRS transcripts and decides which programs you qualify for, and then gives a fixed written quote for the resolution phase before further work starts. Tax return preparation for unfiled years is billed as its own service.
Before you pay, ask for the discovery fee, the resolution fee and any prep fees in writing, ask what happens to each fee if you cancel, and compare that total with what you could do yourself through the IRS. Your fee goes to TaxRise, not to the IRS; TaxRise says it does not make payments to tax agencies.
TaxRise guarantees and cancellation
TaxRise’s Resolution Money-Back Guarantee promises enrollment in a resolution, meaning a settlement, a pause in collections or a payment plan, or a refund of the resolution fee. It doesn’t refund fees for tax preparation, eligibility reviews or immediate action services. It also promises to fix filings at no cost if its own error leaves you out of compliance, to appeal a rejected Offer in compromise. An IRS agreement to settle tax debt for less than the full amount when you cannot pay. Compare tax relief companies at no extra charge, and to refund prep fees if its calculation error causes a penalty.
You can cancel any time by calling (833) 419-7473 or emailing [email protected]. Refunds depend on work already done and the terms of your signed agreement, so read that section before you sign.
How TaxRise Works
TaxRise uses a two-phase process. In the discovery and strategy phase, the firm requests the taxpayer’s IRS transcripts, reviews their financial situation, and builds a customized resolution plan. In the resolution phase, TaxRise’s tax preparers file any necessary returns to bring the client into compliance, and its tax professionals negotiate with the IRS on the client’s behalf.
TaxRise states it has resolved more than 1 billion dollars for clients, a figure the company defines as the collective amount of taxes for which it helped clients obtain relief through installment agreements, partial payment plans, Currently not collectible. An IRS status that pauses collection because of financial hardship; the debt remains. Compare tax relief companies status, and offers in compromise.
What customers say about Tax Rise
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Patient, professional staff who explain the process
- Relief from having someone else deal with the IRS
- Help catching up on years of unfiled returns
- Successful payment plans and released levies
Common complaints
- High upfront fees and payment plans set up quickly
- Slow replies and hard-to-reach case managers
- Cases that stall or end without the relief expected
- Disputes over refunds after cancelling
TaxRise complaints and how to avoid problems
Common complaints on the BBB and Trustpilot are high upfront fees, payment schedules set up during the first call, slow replies from case staff, cases that stall, and refund disputes after cancelling. Positive reviews mostly praise patient staff and finally getting a payment plan or levy release in place.
To protect yourself, don’t agree to a payment plan for fees on the first call, get the scope of work in writing, ask for the name and license type of the enrolled agent, CPA or attorney who will sign your IRS Form 2848, and keep opening and answering IRS mail yourself.
What you can do yourself for free
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 would 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 offer in compromise mills on its 2026 Dirty Dozen scams list, warning that they overpromise and charge high fees to people who don’t qualify.
Who should look elsewhere
If your balance is small enough for a standard IRS payment plan, a firm’s fee may cost more than the help is worth. If you have one specific problem, such as Penalty abatement. The IRS removal of penalties for reasonable cause or a first-time issue. Compare tax relief companies, a local enrolled agent or CPA billing by the hour may be cheaper. If you live in a state where TaxRise doesn’t operate, ask before you pay for discovery.
Alternatives to Tax Rise
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IRS online payment agreement
Free to apply for yourself if you can pay over time, and it is 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 local enrolled agent or CPA
Often cheaper for a single payment plan or penalty abatement, and you work with one licensed person.
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A larger firm with the same two-phase model, worth a second quote before you sign.
Next steps
Tax Rise reviews
Written by readers, read by our moderators, never edited by the company.
No reader reviews yet. If you have used Tax Rise, yours will be the first.
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Frequently asked questions
Is TaxRise a real company?
Yes. Tax Rise Inc. is an Irvine, California tax resolution firm founded in 2017, BBB accredited since 2018 with an A+ rating. It also has 673 BBB complaints in three years, so read the agreement carefully.
How much does TaxRise charge?
TaxRise doesn't publish fees. You pay for a discovery phase first, then get a fixed written quote for the resolution phase based on your case. Return preparation is billed separately.
Does TaxRise have a money-back guarantee?
Yes, but it refunds only the resolution fee if you are not enrolled in a resolution such as a payment plan, settlement or collection pause. Discovery, tax prep and immediate action fees are excluded.
Is TaxRise BBB accredited?
Yes. The BBB lists Tax Rise Inc. as accredited since June 25, 2018, with an A+ rating and 673 complaints in the last three years.
What are common TaxRise complaints?
Upfront fees, slow communication, cases that stall, and refund disputes after cancelling are the most common themes on the BBB and Trustpilot.
Does the money I pay TaxRise go to the IRS?
No. Fees pay TaxRise for its work. TaxRise says it does not make payments to tax agencies, so you still owe the IRS or state directly.
How do I cancel TaxRise?
Call (833) 419-7473 or email [email protected]. Any refund depends on the work completed and the terms of your signed service agreement.
Can TaxRise reduce my tax debt?
Only if you qualify for an IRS or state program, such as an offer in compromise or penalty relief. TaxRise says it can't guarantee any reduction, and its $1 billion figure counts all debt placed in payment plans and similar programs, not money saved.
Who works on TaxRise cases?
TaxRise says its team includes enrolled agents, CPAs and tax attorneys, with separate preparers and negotiators. Ask who will sign your IRS power of attorney and check their credentials.
Can I do what TaxRise does myself?
Yes. You can apply for an IRS payment plan online, use the IRS offer in compromise pre-qualifier, and get free help from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic or the Taxpayer Advocate Service if you qualify.
Sources (9)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- TaxRise: Home, FAQs and disclaimers (accessed October 13, 2026)
- TaxRise: Guarantee (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: Tax Rise Inc. profile (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Trustpilot: TaxRise reviews (accessed October 13, 2026)
- TaxRise: Our story (accessed October 13, 2026)
- IRS: Online payment agreement application (accessed October 13, 2026)
- IRS: Offer in compromise (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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