My Personal Experience with Optima Tax Relief - Warning to Others

I worked in tax resolution for over a decade and unfortunately, this is a common pattern with many tax relief companies. The initial consultation promises amazing results, but then communication issues develop once they have your money. For anyone looking for tax help, here are some better alternatives: First, try contacting the IRS directly to set up an installment agreement or offer in compromise on your own - it's free and often just as effective. Second, consider working with a local CPA or Enrolled Agent who specializes in tax resolution, as they typically charge transparent flat fees for specific services. Third, check out the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service which provides free help navigating complex tax issues. The "silence after payment" approach is particularly troubling because tax problems have deadlines and consequences for missing them. Each month that passes with no action could mean additional penalties and interest accruing.

I had a really similar situation with tax debt that had been hanging over me for years. I was about to sign up with one of these big tax relief companies when a friend recommended I try taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) instead. It was completely different from what I expected - instead of paying thousands up front for promises, their system actually analyzed my tax transcripts and notices and gave me a clear action plan. What really helped was that they showed me exactly what I qualified for based on my actual tax situation. They identified that I was eligible for a partial penalty abatement that the IRS would actually approve (not just empty promises). The best part was seeing exactly what my options were without someone trying to upsell me on "representation" I didn't need.

Just wanted to follow up - I was skeptical but decided to try taxr.ai after seeing the comment here. I had a $14,000 tax debt from 2021 that had grown to almost $18,000 with penalties and interest. The service analyzed my notices and found that I qualified for first-time penalty abatement (something I had no idea existed). They gave me a template letter to send to the IRS requesting the abatement, which knocked almost $3,000 off my balance! They also showed me exactly how to set up a proper installment agreement that I could actually afford. The whole process was way more straightforward than I expected. What I appreciated most was that there was no one trying to "sell" me on expensive representation - just clear instructions based on my actual situation. Totally different experience from when I consulted with one of those tax relief companies that wanted $4,500 upfront.

After my nightmare experience with a tax relief company (won't name names but similar to OP's situation), I was desperate to actually speak with someone at the IRS to sort things out myself. I spent HOURS on hold, getting disconnected, and never reaching anyone. It was beyond frustrating. Someone on a tax forum recommended Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) - you can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - and honestly I thought it sounded too good to be true. The idea is they call the IRS for you, wait on hold, and then call you when they actually have an agent on the line. I was hesitant but tried it when I was facing a deadline for responding to a CP2000 notice. Within about 40 minutes, I got a call back with an actual IRS agent on the line! I was able to explain my situation, get clarification on what I needed to submit, and even got a 30-day extension to respond to the notice. Completely changed my approach to handling my tax issues.

I have to eat my words on this one. After posting my skeptical comment, I was still desperate to resolve a tax issue where the IRS was threatening to levy my accounts over a misunderstanding about some 1099 income. I decided to try Claimyr as a last resort. Not only did it work, but I got connected to an IRS representative in about 90 minutes (which is lightning fast compared to my previous attempts). The agent was able to put a 60-day hold on collections while I submitted documentation proving I had already reported the income on my return. I'm not one to admit when I'm wrong, but in this case the service absolutely delivered. Saved me days of frustration and potentially avoided a levy situation that would have caused me serious financial problems. So... yeah, I was wrong and I'm actually grateful for the recommendation.

There are SO many of these tax relief scams out there. I feel your pain - I lost about $3500 to a similar company before finally getting real help from a local CPA. The worst part is that these companies prey on people who are already stressed about tax problems. One thing I learned (the hard way): before hiring ANY tax help, ask for a written engagement letter that clearly states what services they'll provide, what the timeline will be, and what specific results they're committing to. If they refuse or give vague answers, RUN.

I almost signed up with Optima last year but decided to check reviews first. Thank god I did! Instead, I went directly to the IRS and set up a payment plan myself. It took one phone call (admittedly after being on hold for 2 hours) and I was approved for a monthly payment I could afford. These companies make it sound like you need some special expertise or insider connections to deal with the IRS, but for most basic tax problems, you absolutely don't. They're just inserting themselves as expensive middlemen.

This is exactly why I always tell people to be extremely cautious with these tax relief companies. The pattern you described - big promises upfront, poor communication after payment, and then trying to silence customers with NDAs - is unfortunately very common in this industry. The fact that they're demanding you sign an agreement to remove negative reviews in exchange for a partial refund is a huge red flag. Legitimate businesses don't operate this way. They're essentially admitting their service was inadequate while trying to manipulate their online reputation. For anyone reading this who's dealing with tax problems: before paying anyone thousands of dollars, try these free or low-cost options first: 1. Call the IRS directly to discuss payment plan options 2. Use the IRS Online Payment Agreement tool 3. Contact your local Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) if you qualify 4. Consult with a local CPA or Enrolled Agent for a transparent fee quote Don't let these companies prey on your stress about tax issues. Most tax problems can be resolved without paying these inflated fees to middlemen who often provide little actual value.