How to choose a tax relief company: a checklist

How to vet a tax relief company

Check that the people who will handle your case are Enrolled Agents, CPAs or attorneys, and verify their credentials yourself. Then look for published or written prices, a clear explanation of what the IRS decides, and no promises of a specific outcome or settlement amount.

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

Verify the people

Who will actually work on your case? Get names, not just a company name.
Check credentials in the IRS’s directory of preparers with credentials. Enrolled Agents, CPAs and attorneys can represent you before the IRS without limits.
Ask who signs your returns and who speaks to the IRS for you.

Check the offer

Prices in writing before you commit, with what’s included and what isn’t.
A defined first step, such as reviewing your IRS transcripts, before a big fee.
A clear refund policy.
An explanation of every option, including doing it yourself.

Red flags

A guarantee of any outcome, or a specific settlement amount before they’ve seen your records.
“Pennies on the dollar” pitches for an Offer in Compromise.
Talk of a special or limited-time “Fresh Start program.”
Pressure to sign or pay today.
Large upfront fees before anyone looks at your IRS records.
Asking you to send your IRS payments through them.
No straight answer about who is licensed.

How we measure up

We publish our prices, name our licensed people, say when you don’t need us, and never promise an outcome. Judge us by the same list.

Common questions

How do I check an Enrolled Agent’s credentials?

The IRS publishes a directory of federal tax return preparers with credentials, including Enrolled Agents, CPAs and attorneys who have a PTIN. CPAs can also be checked with the state board of accountancy, and attorneys with the state bar.

Are reviews enough?

Reviews help, but read the negative ones for patterns, such as fees for work that wasn’t done or pressure to sign quickly.