Optima Tax Relief review: Services, costs and what to know

• Optima Tax Relief offers tax resolution services for individuals and businesses, typically for debts over $10,000.
• The company assists with complex IRS issues like wage garnishments, bank levies, and tax liens.
• Fees vary based on case complexity and are separate from any taxes owed to the IRS.

When tax debt escalates into IRS notices, penalties and collection actions, many taxpayers look for professional tax relief help navigating the system. Companies like Optima Tax Relief promise to guide clients through complex IRS programs, but understanding how those services work, what they cost and when they’re actually necessary is key before signing up.

In this Optima Tax Relief review, we explain how the company operates, what services it offers, how pricing is structured and when professional tax relief assistance may — or may not — make sense.

Optima Tax Relief at a glance

Optima Tax Relief was founded in 2011 and is one of several firms offering tax resolution services and assistance with navigating IRS tax-relief programs. 

The company works with individuals and small businesses nationwide, typically serving clients who owe at least $10,000 in back taxes. Many of its cases involve more complex situations, such as wage garnishments, bank levies or tax liens.

As with any legitimate tax relief service provider, Optima Tax Relief cannot control IRS decisions or guarantee a specific outcome.

What Optima Tax Relief does

Optima Tax Relief provides a range of tax resolution services designed to help taxpayers understand their situation, become compliant with IRS requirements and pursue available relief options. The company offers free consultations and publishes educational resources addressing common tax-debt questions. However, like any tax relief provider, Optima Tax Relief can only assist taxpayers in navigating IRS systems and can't directly control IRS decisions. 

It also offers Optima Tax Shield, a subscription-style service focused on monitoring and protection against tax-related identity theft.

Common services include:

• Tax consultations
• Offer in compromise (OIC) assistance
• Liability investigations
• IRS resolution proposals
• Tax preparation and filing support
• Compliance assistance
• Tax settlement and negotiation support
• Tax lien discharge assistance
• Bank levy and wage garnishment relief
• Tax identity theft protection

How Optima Tax Relief pricing works

Optima Tax Relief does not publish standard pricing for its tax resolution services. Instead, Optima uses a phase-based pricing model that typically begins with an investigation fee, followed by a separate resolution fee based on the complexity of the case, the amount of tax debt involved and the services required. 

This approach is common in the tax relief industry, where pricing varies widely depending on factors such as unfiled returns, enforcement actions or the need to negotiate directly with the IRS. Typical costs for tax relief companies hover between $250 and $7,500, according to LendEDU.

Optima does list pricing for its Optima Tax Shield plans, which focus on tax identity theft monitoring and related support. These plans range from $0 to $49.99 per month, according to the company’s website.

Pros and potential drawbacks of Optima Tax Relief

Working with a tax relief company like Optima Tax Relief may be helpful for taxpayers dealing with complex IRS issues, but the services may not be necessary or cost-effective in every situation.

Pros

• Offers free initial consultations 
• Accredited by the BBB with a 4-star rating and an A rating
• Works with complex tax-debt cases, including liens, levies and garnishments

Cons

• Service pricing is not publicly disclosed
• Fees may outweigh benefits for simpler tax situations, based on customer reviews
• Outcomes not guaranteed

Optima Tax Relief reviews and reputation

Optima Tax Relief generally receives strong customer ratings across major review platforms, though, like most tax relief firms, it also has some mixed feedback.

The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and holds an A rating, which reflects how the business responds to customer complaints. Optima Tax Relief also maintains an average customer rating of about four stars on the BBB site.

On Trustpilot, the company has an overall rating of about 4.5 stars, with many reviewers describing their experience as professional, helpful and straightforward.

Some negative reviews focus on communication delays, confusion about the scope of services or dissatisfaction with fees relative to results. In BBB complaint records, the company typically responds to customer concerns and attempts to resolve disputes.

Optima Tax Relief vs. competitors

Tax relief companies generally offer many of the same core services, including help with OIC, installment agreements, penalty and hardship relief, prep and filing and general taxpayer representation. 

However, pricing, case evaluation processes and the types of licensed professionals involved can vary from firm to firm. Before choosing a company, taxpayers should compare multiple providers, review fees carefully and understand what services are needed to achieve the best outcome. 

When working with a tax relief company may make sense

Working with a tax relief company may be helpful for taxpayers dealing with larger or more complicated tax-debt situations. Optima Tax Relief typically serves clients who owe $10,000 or more in back taxes or who are facing active IRS collection efforts.

Professional tax-relief assistance may be worth considering if you:

• Owe a significant amount in back taxes
• Have multiple years of unfiled tax returns
• Are facing wage garnishment, bank levies or tax liens
• Need help understanding IRS relief programs or preparing financial documentation
• Feel overwhelmed communicating with the IRS directly

These services may be less necessary for taxpayers with smaller balances or straightforward situations. For example, many people can set up an IRS payment plan directly through the agency. The IRS also offers free assistance through the Taxpayer Advocate Service for those who need additional support resolving tax issues.

Bottom line

Optima Tax Relief may be a legitimate option for taxpayers dealing with complex or significant IRS debt who want professional help navigating tax-relief programs. However, professional services can be expensive, and outcomes depend on IRS eligibility requirements.

For simpler tax situations, working directly with the IRS or with a local CPA or tax professional may be a more cost-effective approach.

FAQs about Optima Tax Relief

Is it worth it to use a tax relief service?

Using a tax relief service like Optima Tax Relief may be worth it for taxpayers who have significant tax debt, are facing a complex tax situation, are in active IRS collections or have multiple unfiled returns. For simpler situations, such as setting up a basic payment plan, working directly with the IRS or a local tax professional may be less costly. 

Can using Optima Tax Relief services reduce my tax debt?

In some cases, using Optima Tax Relief can help reduce your tax debt. However, the help of any tax relief company is limited. Optima Tax Relief focuses on helping eligible taxpayers apply for IRS programs that can reduce penalties or settle tax debt, such as an OIC. However, tax debt reductions are not guaranteed, and approval depends on IRS rules, financial hardship and the taxpayer’s ability to pay.

Do I need a tax relief company to work with the IRS?

While often helpful, you don't ever need to use a tax relief company to work with the IRS or manage your tax debt. Legally, taxpayers can set up payment plans or request relief directly through the IRS. Tax relief companies can be helpful for those with complex cases, but they can't provide access to special programs unavailable to individuals.