Choosing tax help: when to hire someone, what it costs, and who to trust

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Choosing tax help

You may not need to hire anyone: if every return is filed and you owe $50,000 or less, you can probably set up an IRS payment plan yourself. Paid help is worth it when you have unfiled years, active collection, or a balance that needs a financial statement. Either way, look for published prices, licensed people and no outcome promises.

Reviewed by [REVIEWER NAME], Enrolled Agent · Last reviewed [DATE]

Do you need help at all?

Your situation	What we’d suggest
Everything’s filed, you owe $50,000 or less, no levy	Set up a payment plan yourself. See when you don’t need us
Low income, IRS dispute	Check free help, such as a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
One or more unfiled years	Professional help usually saves time and money
A levy, garnishment or final notice	Get help now. Deadlines matter
You owe more than $50,000, or can’t afford a payment	An Enrolled Agent, CPA or attorney can weigh your options
A criminal investigation	A tax attorney

What good help looks like

Published prices, or a written quote after reviewing your IRS records.
Licensed people, with names and credentials you can check.
Plain answers about what the IRS decides and how long it takes.
Honesty about doing it yourself when that’s the better option.

See how to vet a tax relief company and tax relief scams.

Guides in this section

What tax relief costs What professional help with unfiled returns and IRS debt typically costs, the IRS’s own fees, and the questions to ask before you pay anyone. How to vet a tax relief company A practical checklist for choosing a tax resolution firm: credentials to verify, red flags, and the questions that separate honest firms from high-pressure sellers. Tax relief scams and how to spot them How tax relief scams work, including Offer in Compromise mills and IRS impersonators, the warning signs to look for, and where to report them. Free and low-cost tax help Free and low-cost options for help with the IRS: the Taxpayer Advocate Service, Low Income Taxpayer Clinics, and free return preparation through VITA.

Common questions

Who can represent me before the IRS?

Enrolled Agents, CPAs and attorneys have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Unenrolled preparers have limited rights.

Should I pay a big fee up front?

Be cautious about paying large fees before a firm has reviewed your IRS records. A small, defined fee to investigate your situation is reasonable.

Sources

See where you stand in a few minutes.

The estimate is free. The $79 IRS investigation is the first thing you pay for, and it counts toward your plan.

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