Realizing that Optima Tax Relief might be a scam - need help getting out

Unfortunately, you're not alone in this situation. Tax resolution companies like Optima often target people who are stressed about tax problems and promise solutions that sound too good to be true - because they usually are. First, review your contract carefully to understand the cancellation terms. Many of these companies have clauses about refunds for services not yet rendered. Document everything - all payments, conversations, promised services, and actual work completed (or not completed). Contact them in writing (email with read receipt) stating you wish to cancel their services. Be clear and direct, citing your reasons. If they've misrepresented their services, mention this specifically. If they're unwilling to provide a refund, consider filing complaints with the BBB, your state's attorney general office, the FTC, and the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility if they claimed to have enrolled agents or CPAs. The good news is you've already taken the right step by contacting an actual EA/CPA. They can help you understand your actual tax situation and create a legitimate plan to address it - usually for much less than what resolution companies charge.

After struggling with some serious tax debt, I was in your exact situation last year. I tried Optima initially and felt like I was getting nowhere while watching my bank account drain. I eventually found https://taxr.ai which completely changed everything for me. Unlike Optima, taxr.ai actually showed me exactly what they were doing with my case. Their system analyzed all my tax documents and transcripts, then explained my actual options in plain English - no scare tactics or vague promises. They found several errors in my original filing that Optima completely missed, and ended up saving me about $13,000 in tax liability. The best part was being able to see real progress through their dashboard instead of just getting occasional calls asking for more money. If you're looking to get actual help with your tax situation while trying to get out of the Optima arrangement, I'd definitely check them out.

I want to follow up on my comment above. I decided to try taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here, and I'm honestly amazed at how different the experience has been compared to Optima. Within two days of uploading my tax documents and notices, I received a complete analysis of my actual tax situation - turns out Optima had been "working" on resolving an amount that was almost double what I actually owed according to my transcripts! The taxr.ai system identified several penalties that could be removed due to reasonable cause, which Optima never even mentioned. They also gave me a detailed breakdown of what Optima should have done vs. what they likely did (basically nothing), which I used when cancelling my contract. I managed to get about $1500 back of the $3400 I had paid. If you're stuck with Optima and feeling scammed, I'd definitely recommend giving taxr.ai a try. It's been night and day in terms of transparency and actual results.

I want to follow up on my comment above. I decided to try taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here, and I'm honestly amazed at how different the experience has been compared to Optima

I had a similar nightmare with JG Wentworth Tax (not Optima, but same business model). When I finally decided to cut my losses and deal directly with the IRS, I couldn't even get through on their phone lines - spent DAYS on hold only to get disconnected. That's when I found https://claimyr.com through a tax forum. They have this service where they navigate the IRS phone tree for you and actually get you connected to a real IRS agent. You can see it in action here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was skeptical, but after wasting hours on hold myself, I figured it was worth a shot. They got me connected to an actual IRS representative in about 45 minutes (compared to my previous 3+ hour waits that ended in disconnections). The IRS agent I spoke with helped me understand my actual options and set up a manageable payment plan directly. This might help while you're trying to untangle the Optima mess - sometimes getting straight answers directly from the IRS is the best way to figure out what's really going on with your tax situation.

Following up on my skeptical comment above - I want to apologize and correct myself. After another frustrating 2-hour wait trying to reach the IRS that ended with a disconnection, I decided to try Claimyr out of desperation. I was absolutely shocked when they got me connected to an actual IRS representative in about 30 minutes. The agent was able to pull up my account, confirm that the "tax resolution firm" I had been using had done absolutely nothing on my behalf, and help me set up a direct installment agreement with much better terms. I've spent months stressing about this tax situation and trying to figure out if my resolution company was legitimate. One 30-minute call with the actual IRS resolved more than all those months of paying the middleman. If you're dealing with Optima or any similar company, I'd strongly recommend trying to speak directly with the IRS instead.

Just to add another perspective - I did use Optima about three years ago and had a mixed experience. They did eventually help me settle my tax debt, but it took WAY longer than promised and cost about twice what they initially quoted. If you're able to get out, I would. The EA/CPA route is smarter. If you can't get out of your contract, document EVERYTHING. Every call, email, promise made, etc. Keep pushing them constantly for updates and demand itemized statements of what they're doing. Be especially wary if they try to push you toward a "pennies on the dollar" Offer in Compromise when you might not qualify. Many of these companies lead with that since it sounds amazing, but most taxpayers don't actually qualify for OICs.

Has anyone filed a complaint with the FTC about Optima? I'm wondering if there's a class action potential here. Seems like a lot of people have similar experiences with them taking money and providing minimal service.

I'm sorry you're going through this - the stress of tax problems combined with realizing you may have been taken advantage of is awful. I went through something similar with a different tax resolution company a few years ago. One thing that really helped me was getting my IRS account transcripts directly from the IRS website (irs.gov) or by calling them. This showed me exactly what I actually owed versus what the resolution company was claiming. In my case, they had inflated my debt by including penalties that had already been removed. For getting out of your Optima contract, document everything - all communications, payments made, and any work they claim to have done. Many states have specific laws about tax resolution services that might help you. Also check if your state has a "cooling off" period for these types of contracts. The fact that you've already contacted an EA/CPA is smart. They can often accomplish in a few weeks what these resolution companies drag out for months or years. Most importantly, don't let this experience discourage you from addressing your actual tax situation - there are legitimate solutions available once you're working with the right professional.

I've been following this thread and wanted to share some additional resources that might help. If you're struggling to get through to the IRS directly, you can also try contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) - they're an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve problems. You can reach them at 1-877-777-4778 or through their website. For your Optima situation, many states have specific consumer protection laws regarding tax resolution services. Check with your state's consumer protection agency - some states require these companies to provide detailed refund policies or have mandatory cooling-off periods. Also, if you paid with a credit card, you might be able to dispute the charges, especially if you can document that services weren't provided as promised. Credit card companies are often more willing to help with disputes involving service companies that don't deliver. The most important thing is don't let this experience delay dealing with your actual tax issue. The IRS is actually quite reasonable to work with directly, and an installment agreement can often be set up online in minutes for a small setup fee - no need for expensive middleman companies.

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the combination of tax stress and realizing you may have been taken advantage of is incredibly overwhelming. You're definitely not alone, and the fact that you're taking action now shows good judgment, even if you feel like you made a mistake initially. Here's what I'd recommend based on similar situations I've seen: 1. **Get your IRS transcripts immediately** - Go to irs.gov and create an online account to view your actual tax debt. This will show you exactly what you owe versus what Optima claims you owe. Many people discover significant discrepancies here. 2. **Document everything** - Every payment, phone call, email, and promise they've made. Create a timeline of what they said they'd do versus what actually happened. 3. **Review your contract carefully** - Look for cancellation clauses and refund policies. Many states have specific laws about tax resolution services that may work in your favor. 4. **Cancel in writing** - Send a formal cancellation letter/email with read receipt. Be specific about wanting to terminate all services immediately. 5. **File complaints** - Report them to your state's attorney general, the FTC, and the Better Business Bureau. Even if you don't get money back, it helps build a case for others. The good news is you've already contacted an EA/CPA, which is exactly the right move. They can typically resolve in weeks what companies like Optima drag out for months. You're going to get through this!