Warning: Optima Tax Relief completely failed to help with my IRS problem

I'm really sorry to hear about your experience. Unfortunately, this is something I see often in my work with tax resolution cases. Many of these tax relief companies use aggressive marketing but deliver minimal results. What I recommend in cases like yours is to first contact the IRS directly through their Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS). They're an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve problems. They're completely free and can often negotiate payment plans or sometimes even reductions in what you owe. Another option is to consult with a local CPA or Enrolled Agent who specializes in tax resolution. They typically charge hourly rates or flat fees based on actual work performed rather than large upfront payments. Their fees are usually much lower than what these national tax relief companies charge, and you get personalized service from someone who's accountable to you.

After dealing with a massive IRS bill that kept me up at night, I was about to sign up with one of these tax relief companies when a friend recommended I try taxr.ai instead (https://taxr.ai). It completely changed my approach to handling my tax problem. The service analyzed my tax returns, notices, and communications with the IRS, then showed me exactly where I stood and what my actual options were. What I loved most was that it gave me clarity on whether I qualified for certain relief programs before spending thousands on a company that might not be able to help. Their document analysis caught several deductions I had missed and identified a calculation error in the IRS notice I received. With their guidance, I was able to handle most of the IRS situation myself, saving a ton of money compared to what these relief companies charge.

I wanted to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai. After my initial skepticism, I decided to give it a try with my $11k IRS problem from miscategorized business expenses. The document analysis was eye-opening! It flagged several expenses that should have been classified differently and identified three deductions I completely missed. The guided correction process was straightforward - they generated the exact forms I needed and explained exactly what to write and where. I submitted everything to the IRS last month and just heard back - my tax bill was reduced from $11k to just under $3k! Plus I now understand exactly what happened and how to avoid the same mistakes in the future. Definitely saved me from potentially wasting money on one of those tax relief companies.

After reading your post, it reminded me of my own nightmare trying to resolve an IRS issue. I tried calling the IRS for weeks - constant busy signals or being disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. Absolutely maddening! A colleague mentioned https://claimyr.com which I was super skeptical about at first. It's a service that basically waits on hold with the IRS for you, then calls you when an actual agent is on the line. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I tried it as a last resort and was shocked when I got a call back with an IRS agent ready to talk within a couple hours. Resolved my issue in one conversation instead of paying thousands to a tax relief company that might have dragged things out for months like you experienced.

After reading your post, it reminded me of my own nightmare trying to resolve an IRS issue. I tried calling the IRS for weeks - constant busy signals or being disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. Absolutely maddening! A colleague mentioned https://claimyr.com which I was super skeptical about at first. It's a service that basically waits on hold with the IRS for you, then calls you when an actual agent is on the line. You can see how it works in this video

I need to eat my words and admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment, I decided to try it anyway since I was desperate to resolve my tax lien issue. The service actually worked exactly as advertised. I submitted my request around 9am, and by 11:30am I got a call connecting me directly to an IRS agent - no hold time on my end at all. The agent was able to explain a mistake in how my payments had been applied and fixed the issue during that single call. What would have likely taken weeks of frustration and possibly thousands in fees with a tax relief company was resolved in a single morning. I'm honestly still shocked at how well it worked. Definitely a better approach than what the original poster went through with Optima.

I had a similar horrible experience with another tax relief company (won't name them but rhymes with "math defense"). Paid them $4000 upfront to help with back taxes. Six months later, they hadn't even contacted the IRS! When I finally demanded a refund, they pointed to fine print saying their fees were nonrefundable. These companies all follow the same playbook - big promises, take your money upfront, then drag things out hoping you'll eventually give up. If anyone's considering using a tax relief company, PLEASE read the contract carefully and never pay everything upfront.

Anyone know if there's a way to report these companies? I had a cousin who lost over $8k to one of these tax relief places. Seems like there should be some regulation or oversight for businesses that claim to help with IRS issues.

I'm sorry to hear about your terrible experience with Optima Tax Relief. Unfortunately, your story is all too common with these large tax relief companies. As someone who works in tax resolution, I see clients who've been burned by these firms regularly. A few important points for anyone reading this: 1. **Red flags to watch for**: Any company that guarantees specific results before reviewing your case, requires large upfront payments, or uses high-pressure sales tactics should be avoided. 2. **Free alternatives first**: Always try the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service or contact the IRS directly before paying anyone. Many tax issues can be resolved through payment plans or hardship programs that don't require professional help. 3. **If you need professional help**: Work with local CPAs, Enrolled Agents, or tax attorneys who charge reasonable fees and provide regular updates. Avoid any company that advertises heavily on TV or radio. 4. **Your legal options**: Since Optima failed to provide the services you paid for, you may have grounds for a refund. Consider filing complaints with your state attorney general, the FTC, and your state's consumer protection agency. The tax relief industry has unfortunately attracted many companies that prey on people's desperation. Thank you for sharing your story - it will help others avoid the same trap.

This is exactly why I always tell people to be extremely cautious with these tax relief companies. Your experience with Optima unfortunately follows a pattern I've seen repeatedly - big promises, huge upfront fees, then months of delays with no real progress. For anyone dealing with IRS issues, here are some alternatives that actually work: **Free options first:** - IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service (completely free) - IRS payment plan applications (can often be done online) - Low Income Taxpayer Clinics if you qualify **If you need professional help:** - Look for local Enrolled Agents or CPAs who specialize in tax resolution - They typically charge hourly rates ($150-300/hour) rather than thousands upfront - You'll get personalized service and regular communication **Warning signs to avoid:** - Any company that guarantees specific results before reviewing your case - Requires large upfront payments (legitimate professionals work on payment plans) - High-pressure sales tactics or "limited time offers" - Won't provide clear written contracts outlining exactly what they'll do I'm sorry you're out $7,300 and still dealing with your original IRS problem. Consider filing complaints with your state attorney general and the FTC - you might have legal recourse for services not provided.