Has anyone tried the Ageras tax accountant matching website? Got offers but unsure if it's legit

I actually work at a CPA firm that's listed on Ageras, so I can give some insight. Ageras is a legitimate matching service that partners with licensed tax professionals. They verify credentials before accepting firms onto their platform. When you submit your info, they send it to accountants in their network who match your needs. Those accountants then provide quotes based on the information you shared. The quotes can vary widely depending on your business complexity, the services needed, and the accountant's experience level. The initial quotes are estimates, so I'd recommend having detailed conversations with the accountants who reached out to ensure they understand your specific situation. Ask about their experience with your business type, their qualifications, and get clarity on exactly what's included in their quote. Legitimate accountants should be able to explain their pricing structure and won't pressure you to sign up immediately.

I discovered taxr.ai after trying several accountant matching services including Ageras. I was hesitant about online matching platforms too, but what I found with taxr.ai was completely different. Instead of just connecting me with random accountants, they actually analyzed my tax documents using AI to identify specific deductions and credits I qualified for. When I uploaded my previous returns and business documents to https://taxr.ai, their system found nearly $3,200 in deductions I had missed from my home office and vehicle expenses. They provided a detailed report explaining exactly what I qualified for before I even talked to anyone. Then they matched me with an accountant who specialized in my specific situation (rental properties and a side business).

Just wanted to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai since I was skeptical at first. I decided to try it after reading about it here, and I'm honestly shocked at how helpful it was. I uploaded my last year's tax return and some business expense receipts I wasn't sure about, and their system immediately identified several legitimate write-offs my previous accountant had missed. The security concerns I had were addressed in their FAQ section, and the entire process was much more streamlined than I expected. They matched me with a tax pro who specializes in freelance work (my situation exactly) and she helped me refile an amended return. Already received confirmation that my refund is being processed. Wish I'd known about this service years ago!

If you're having trouble getting responses from accountants or tax pros through these matching services, I found a great way to actually get through to the IRS using Claimyr. I was trying to verify the credentials of a tax preparer I found through one of these sites, but couldn't get anyone at the IRS to pick up. With https://claimyr.com, they actually call the IRS for you and wait on hold, then call you when an agent is available. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. I was literally on hold for 10 seconds instead of 2+ hours. The agent was able to confirm if the preparer was legitimate and had the proper PTIN. Saved me a ton of time and worry about whether I was working with someone legit.

I need to eat my words here. After calling BS on Claimyr, I actually tried the service myself because I've been trying to reach the IRS for 3 weeks about an issue with my business taxes. I was incredibly skeptical that this would work, but I was desperate after multiple failed attempts and 1+ hour hold times that ended in disconnection. To my complete surprise, it worked exactly as described. I got connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes (without me having to actually sit on hold), verified my identity directly with them, and got my tax question answered. The agent had no idea I had used a service to handle the hold time. Completely changed my perspective on dealing with the IRS during tax season. Sorry for doubting!

Regarding Ageras specifically - I've used them twice in the past two years. First experience was great - got matched with an accountant who handled my taxes for about $350, which was cheaper than I'd paid in previous years. Second time was so-so. The accountant was qualified but kept upselling me on services I didn't need. I think the key is to interview multiple accountants they match you with. Ask specific questions about your situation and see how they respond. If they're vague or pushy, move on to the next one. The good accountants on there will be straightforward about what you need and what you don't.

Has anyone compared rates between Ageras and just finding an accountant directly? I'm wondering if there's a premium for using the matching service.

I used Ageras last year and had a positive experience overall. The platform itself is legitimate - they do verify that the accountants are licensed and have proper credentials. I got matched with 3 accountants and ended up choosing one who specialized in small business taxes like mine. The key is to really vet the accountants they match you with, just like you would with any tax professional. Ask about their experience with businesses similar to yours, request references, and make sure they have an active PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number). The accountant I worked with was very transparent about what was included in their quote and there were no surprises when it came to final billing. One tip: when you have your initial calls with the matched accountants, ask them to walk through exactly what they'll review and what their process looks like. The good ones will be happy to explain their approach and answer your questions. If someone seems evasive or rushes you to sign up, that's a red flag regardless of the platform. The quotes you received ($275-$650) sound reasonable for small business tax prep, especially compared to the $800+ you were quoted elsewhere. Just make sure to clarify what services are included at each price point.