Has anyone used TaxQuotes for help with tax debt? Reviews needed

I'm a tax resolution consultant (not with TaxQuotes) and can give you some perspective. Companies like TaxQuotes typically offer services that you can actually do yourself, but they market themselves as having special relationships with the IRS or secret techniques - which isn't true. What legitimate tax resolution companies actually do is help you navigate IRS programs like Offers in Compromise, Installment Agreements, or Currently Not Collectible status. The IRS has established guidelines for these programs that anyone can access. What you're paying for is expertise in paperwork and process, not magic solutions. Before hiring anyone, I'd recommend calling the IRS directly about your situation. They can often set up payment plans over the phone. If your situation is complex, consider consulting with a licensed tax professional (CPA or Enrolled Agent) for a one-time consultation to understand your options.

I've been in your shoes and struggled with about $35k in tax debt last year. After researching options, I found this AI tax document review service at https://taxr.ai that helped me understand exactly what my options were based on my specific situation. What I liked was that it actually analyzed all my IRS notices and financial information and gave me a clear breakdown of my eligibility for different IRS programs - whether I should pursue an Offer in Compromise, payment plan, or other options. It showed me how to submit everything properly myself instead of paying thousands to a resolution company. The crazy thing was that after using their recommendations, I ended up qualifying for an Offer in Compromise and settled my $35k debt for about $5,800. I wouldn't have even tried that route without understanding my qualification odds first.

Just wanted to follow up here. I was skeptical in my earlier comment, but I ended up trying that https://taxr.ai service, and it was actually really helpful. I had about $27k in tax debt, and the system immediately flagged that I shouldn't waste time with an Offer in Compromise because my assets would disqualify me (which three different "tax relief" companies had tried to sell me on). Instead, it showed me how to set up a partial payment installment agreement where I'm paying $320/month instead of the $750 the IRS initially demanded. The step-by-step instructions made it easy to handle myself. Already saved more than I would've paid some tax resolution company, and I know exactly where I stand now.

After spending 3 days trying to reach the IRS about my tax debt situation (kept getting disconnected after 2+ hour holds), I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual IRS agent in less than 15 minutes. You can check them out at https://claimyr.com or see how it works at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c It was honestly life-changing because I was able to explain my situation directly to an agent who helped me set up a reasonable payment plan. Much better than paying thousands to a tax resolution company that just does the same call but marks up the price by 2000%. The IRS was surprisingly helpful once I actually got through to them!

I need to apologize for my skeptical comment earlier. After researching more, I decided to try Claimyr and I'm shocked to say it actually worked. After THREE WEEKS of trying to reach the IRS on my own (and never getting through), I was connected to an agent in about 40 minutes. The agent helped me set up a Currently Not Collectible status because of my financial hardship situation. This temporarily pauses all collections while I get back on my feet. I was about to pay TaxSomething or other company $3k+ for "resolution services" but ended up solving it myself with one phone call. If you're dealing with tax debt, definitely try getting through to the IRS directly before paying one of these resolution companies. The agents are actually helpful when you can reach them.

Regarding TaxQuotes specifically - I used them last year and had a disappointing experience. I paid about $4,500 upfront, and they basically just filed an Offer in Compromise that got rejected because they didn't properly account for my assets. They then suggested a payment plan that I could have easily set up myself. They weren't outright scammers, but they overpromised on results and underdelivered. Their commercials made it sound like they had special relationships with the IRS that could get my debt reduced by 90%, which wasn't true at all.

One thing nobody's mentioned yet is the Taxpayer Advocate Service. It's a free service within the IRS designed to help people with hardships navigate tax problems. They helped me when I was dealing with about $30k in tax debt after a divorce. You can reach them at 877-777-4778. They assigned me an advocate who helped me get on a reasonable payment plan and even got some penalties removed. Completely free.

I went through something similar with about $38k in back taxes from my consulting business. Instead of going with a tax resolution company, I ended up working directly with the IRS and saved myself thousands in fees. Here's what I learned: The IRS actually has several programs available, but you need to understand which one fits your situation. For amounts like yours, you might qualify for an Offer in Compromise if you can demonstrate you can't pay the full amount, or a long-term payment plan if you have steady income. The key is getting your financial documentation together first - recent tax returns, bank statements, proof of income, and a detailed list of monthly expenses. The IRS uses specific formulas to determine what you can afford to pay. I'd strongly recommend trying the Taxpayer Advocate Service that Angel mentioned, or at least calling the IRS directly before paying any company. The worst they can do is say no, and you'll have a much better understanding of your actual options. Don't let desperation push you into paying for services you might not need.

I've been following this thread and wanted to share my experience from a few years back when I owed about $52k in back taxes. I made the mistake of going with a tax resolution company first (not TaxQuotes, but similar) and paid $3,200 upfront only to have them drag things out for months with no real progress. What finally worked was getting organized with my paperwork and calling the IRS directly. Yes, it took multiple attempts to get through, but once I did, the agent was actually reasonable. They set me up on a 6-year payment plan for about $750/month, which was manageable with my income at the time. The biggest lesson I learned is that these companies prey on people who are scared and overwhelmed by the IRS. But the reality is that the IRS would rather get paid something than nothing, so they're often willing to work with you if you approach them honestly about your situation. Before paying any company, try calling the IRS yourself first. Have your financial information ready and be prepared to explain your hardship. You might be surprised at how helpful they can be when you're upfront about your situation.

I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! As someone who works in financial counseling, I see people in tax debt situations regularly, and the advice here aligns perfectly with what I typically recommend to clients. The key takeaway seems to be that the IRS is actually more willing to work with taxpayers than most people realize. They have established programs specifically designed for situations like yours, Abby. What you're paying tax resolution companies for is essentially hand-holding through processes you can handle yourself with some patience and preparation. A few additional tips based on what I've seen work well: - Document everything when you call the IRS - get agent names, reference numbers, and written confirmation of any agreements - If you qualify for Currently Not Collectible status, remember it's temporary and they'll review your situation annually - Consider consulting with a local CPA for a one-time consultation to review your options - often costs $200-500 vs thousands for resolution companies The fact that multiple people here successfully resolved significant tax debts by working directly with the IRS should give you confidence that you can handle this without paying thousands to middlemen. Good luck with your situation!

I went through a similar situation with about $41k in back taxes from my freelance work a couple years ago. Like many others here, I initially looked into tax resolution companies but decided to try working with the IRS directly first - best decision I made. Here's what worked for me: I called the IRS collections line (1-800-829-7650) early in the morning around 7:30 AM EST when call volumes are typically lower. It still took about 90 minutes to get through, but the agent was surprisingly helpful and professional. I came prepared with my last 3 years of tax returns, recent bank statements, and a detailed monthly budget showing my income and necessary expenses. The agent walked me through my options and helped me set up an installment agreement for $580/month over 6 years. One thing that really helped was being completely honest about my financial hardship. I explained that my freelance income had dropped significantly due to losing a major client, and I provided documentation to back that up. The agent was understanding and even waived some of the setup fees for the payment plan. The whole process took about 3 weeks from my initial call to getting the written agreement, and I avoided paying thousands in fees to a middleman company. If you're organized with your paperwork and patient with the phone system, you can definitely handle this yourself. The IRS really does want to collect the money, so they're motivated to work with you on a realistic payment plan.

I work as a tax advisor and want to echo what several people have said here - you absolutely do NOT need to pay thousands to companies like TaxQuotes. The IRS has multiple resolution programs available, and they're actually required by law to work with taxpayers who demonstrate genuine financial hardship. For someone with $43k in debt like you, here are your main options: 1. Full Payment Installment Agreement (up to 72 months for debts under $50k) 2. Partial Payment Installment Agreement (if you can't afford full payments) 3. Offer in Compromise (if you qualify based on asset/income analysis) 4. Currently Not Collectible status (temporary pause for severe hardship) The key is understanding which option fits your specific financial situation. I'd recommend gathering 3-6 months of bank statements, recent tax returns, and a detailed monthly budget before calling the IRS. Be prepared to explain your hardship clearly and honestly. One more tip: if you do decide you need professional help, look for an Enrolled Agent (EA) or CPA who specializes in tax resolution. They can provide the same services as these big marketing companies but typically charge much less and have actual professional credentials and ethical obligations. Don't let fear push you into overpaying for services you can likely handle yourself with some preparation and patience!

I've been reading through all these responses and I'm honestly blown away by how helpful everyone has been. When I first posted this, I was really leaning toward just paying TaxQuotes or a similar company because I felt so overwhelmed and scared about dealing with the IRS directly. But after hearing all your real experiences - especially from people like Connor, Kayla, and others who successfully handled similar amounts of debt themselves - I'm convinced I should try the direct approach first. The fact that multiple people here resolved $30k+ in tax debt without paying thousands in fees is really encouraging. I'm going to start by calling that Taxpayer Advocate Service number that Angel mentioned, and if that doesn't work out, I'll try the early morning IRS call strategy that Connor suggested. I've already started gathering all my financial documents based on everyone's advice. One quick follow-up question for the group: for those who successfully set up payment plans, did you find that making the payments on time helped improve your standing with the IRS for future issues? I want to make sure I handle this properly not just for now but to avoid problems down the road. Thank you all so much for talking me out of what would have been a very expensive mistake. This community is amazing!

I've been dealing with tax debt issues for years and wanted to share some insight about TaxQuotes specifically. I actually got pretty far into their process before backing out - they had me fill out extensive paperwork and do a "consultation" call that was really just a high-pressure sales pitch. What really bothered me was how they made it sound like I had to act immediately or the IRS was going to seize my assets next week. They quoted me $5,200 upfront plus monthly fees, claiming they could get my $38k debt reduced to "pennies on the dollar." When I asked for specifics about their success rates or what exactly justified their fees, they got evasive and kept pushing me to sign that day. After reading through this thread, I'm so glad I didn't go through with it. The experiences people have shared about working directly with the IRS are exactly what I needed to hear. It sounds like these companies are basically charging thousands to make the same phone calls we can make ourselves. I'm planning to follow the advice here and call the IRS directly next week. Even if it takes a few tries to get through, it's got to be better than paying more than my car is worth for someone to do paperwork I can handle myself. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - you probably saved me from making a very expensive mistake!

I've been working as a tax professional for over 15 years and wanted to add some perspective to this excellent discussion. Everything you've heard here about working directly with the IRS is absolutely correct - they have established programs specifically designed for situations like yours, and you don't need to pay thousands to access them. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the Fresh Start Program that the IRS launched to make it easier for taxpayers to resolve their debts. Under this program, they've expanded eligibility for Offers in Compromise and made installment agreements more accessible. For your $43k debt, you'd likely qualify for a streamlined installment agreement that doesn't require extensive financial documentation. Also, if you do end up needing professional help, avoid any company that: - Demands large upfront payments - Guarantees specific outcomes - Uses scare tactics about immediate seizures - Won't provide references or success rate data Instead, look for CPAs or Enrolled Agents who charge reasonable hourly rates ($150-300/hour) and are transparent about what they can and can't do for you. Many will do a consultation for $200-500 to review your situation and explain your options. You're absolutely right to be skeptical of TaxQuotes and similar companies. The IRS wants to collect what you owe, so they're incentivized to work with you on realistic payment terms. Take advantage of the free resources first!

I've been lurking in tax forums for months while dealing with my own IRS debt situation, and this thread has been incredibly helpful. I owe about $28k in back taxes from my consulting business and had been seriously considering TaxQuotes after seeing their ads everywhere. Reading everyone's experiences here - especially the detailed breakdowns from Connor, Kayla, and the tax professionals - has completely changed my approach. The fact that multiple people resolved similar debts by working directly with the IRS without paying thousands in fees is exactly what I needed to hear. I'm particularly grateful for the practical tips like calling early morning, having documentation ready, and being honest about financial hardship. GalaxyGuardian's near-miss experience with TaxQuotes' high-pressure tactics really drove home how these companies exploit people's fear of the IRS. I'm going to start with the Taxpayer Advocate Service and then try the direct IRS approach if needed. Even if it takes some patience and phone time, it's got to be better than paying more than I spend on rent to a company that's essentially making the same calls I can make myself. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences and talking sense into people like me who were about to make expensive mistakes out of desperation!