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At Solvable, we care about your financial well-being and are here to help. Our research, articles and ratings, and assessments are based strict editorial integrity. Our company gets compensated by partners who appear on our website. Here is how we get compensated.
At Solvable, we care about your financial well-being and are here to help. Our research, articles and ratings, and assessments are based strict editorial integrity. Our company gets compensated by partners who appear on our website. Here is
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A few unscrupulous companies lurk among the largely legitimate tax relief services industry, looking to scam people. These unethical companies carry out malpractices such as promising unrealistic results, charging excessive fees and hidden fees, and misleading advertising. They do little to nothing to resolve the tax issue of their client. In the end, their victim is left with a loss of hundreds of dollars in fee with no returns.
What To Do Before Hiring a Tax Relief Company
There are a few ways to find out whether a tax relief company you are looking to hire is a legitimate service or not. Before you hire a service, conduct thorough research online and offline. While researching, you may check these points:
The company’s background – how many years they have been in service, where they are located, how many staff members they have, etc.
Their professional’s qualifications and experience
Reviews and testimonials from customers at various platforms, including social media
Reviews from friends, family, and neighbors
What kind of tax services they offer
What is their success score
The research work might take you some time, but it is important to know whether the service is legitimate and competent prior to hiring. This is an important step and will decide how well and easily the resolution will be achieved. So, take your time researching and don’t shy away from seeking help from friends and family.
How a Scam Tax Relief Company Operates
A scam tax resolution company’s primary aim is to give as little service or no service and charge substantial amounts in fees. These companies also often charge a hidden cost, of which their client is totally unaware.
To trap people into hiring their service, they promise unrealistic results. They dupe people by claiming that they can substantially reduce their back taxes, sometimes to zero, without knowing the particulars of the case. Quoting the IRS’ tax debt resolution plan, Offer in Compromise, they promise exaggerated tax debt reduction to anybody just so that they get hired.
This particular scam is so rampant that it has made it to the IRS Dirty Dozen Tax Scams list for 2020. According to the IRS, “Taxpayers need to wary of misleading tax debt resolution companies that can exaggerate chances to settle tax debts for ‘pennies on the dollar’ through an Offer in Compromise (OIC).”
These companies never tell that an Offer in Compromise has strict qualifying factors that not all taxpayers can fulfill. They make it sound like they can get anybody’s back taxes reduced substantially. “These scams are commonly called OIC’ mills,’ which cast a wide net for taxpayers, charge them pricey fees and churn out applications for a program they’re unlikely to qualify for,” the IRS explains.
If you contact a tax relief company that promises you results that are too good to be true, get cautious. It might be a scam company.
Red Signals to Watch Out For
Most scam tax relief companies use similar strategies to dupe people. Here are the red signals to watch out for:
Sizeable monetary gains – They promise you that you’ll be saving a lot of money if you hire them.
Misinformation – They may hide information from you or give you incorrect information regarding what they can do for you, about IRS tax debt resolution plans, IRS rules, etc.
Excessive fees – These companies charge exorbitant fees and use misleading advertising to portray themselves as well-known legitimate companies.
Hidden fees – They often charge a hidden fee after you have hired them.
Little to no progress on resolution – You may find that there is little to no progress on your case even after weeks or months of hiring them.
Unnecessary delays – They may intentionally cause delays to extract more money out of you.
Back Taxes and Fraudulent Tax Relief Companies
Since back taxes are a typical tax problem that many taxpayers face, fraudulent tax relief companies are most active there. Even though many scam tax relief companies have been exposed and closed down, there still remain a few who indulge in malpractices. So, if you are considering hiring help for tax debt resolution, you may come across fraudulent tax relief companies with the face of an honest company.
Having basic information about back taxes resolution can help you to spot a fraudulent company. For instance, if you are aware that one major condition for tax debt reduction is the taxpayer doesn’t have the financial capability to pay the entire amount, then if a tax relief company tells you that you qualify for back taxes reduction when you can afford to pay it, you know the company is a fraud.
It will significantly help you to avoid fraudsters if you acquaint yourself with the basics of back taxes resolution such as the various IRS tax debt resolution plans, IRS notices for back taxes, and IRS penalties and interest. Armed with the information, you can steer clear of frauds and choose a legitimate tax relief company that will achieve the most favorable resolution for you.
What Can an Honest Tax Relief Company Do for You
A legitimate and trustworthy tax relief service will help you smoothly resolve your tax issue, offer help with the paperwork, negotiate with the IRS, and stop aggressive IRS actions such as liens and levies, IRS audits, and back taxes resolution, and more. They have a team of qualified tax professionals such as tax attorneys, enrolled agents, and other tax professionals to achieve a quick and beneficial resolution even in the most complicated tax cases.
In back taxes resolution, a trustworthy tax relief company can reduce IRS penalties and interest and/or reduce the back taxes amount depending upon the case. They can also stop a lien or levy, respond to IRS notices, represent you before the IRS, negotiate with the IRS on your behalf, and more.
If you hire an honest tax relief company, you can rest assured that your tax problem will be resolved smoothly, but picking the right service for the job needs a little research. It is all worth it because it protects you from unscrupulous companies that only exist to rip off people in trouble.
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The personal loan offers you see on Solvable are from companies or affiliates that may compensate us. This compensation may impact where offers appear on the site, including their order, prominence, or whether a lender is featured. Solvable does not include every personal loan provider or all available offers in the marketplace.
Loan approval and terms are determined solely by the lender. You should carefully review each provider’s terms and conditions to find the option that best fits your financial situation. We make reasonable efforts to keep information up to date, but rates, fees, and terms are not guaranteed and may change at the discretion of each provider. There is no guarantee you will be approved for credit or that you will qualify for the advertised rates or terms.
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Loan amounts typically range from $1,000 to $35,000, but the amount you qualify for, and the terms offered, will depend on your state, credit history, financial situation, and the lender’s underwriting criteria.
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We strive to provide accurate information, but rates, fees, and terms are not guaranteed and may change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Approval is not guaranteed, and advertised rates or rewards may not be available to all applicants.
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Business loans are intended strictly for commercial purposes. Any funds or assets obtained through these loans must be used for business-related activities—not for personal, family, or household use.
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Offers and terms will vary depending on your business’s financial profile
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Student Loan Refinancing Advertiser Disclosure
Student loan refinancing offers featured on Solvable are from companies or affiliates that may compensate us. This compensation may impact where and how offers appear on our site, including the order in which they appear or whether a lender is featured. Solvable does not include all student loan companies or all available refinancing options in the marketplace.
Pursuant to agreements with our partners and affiliates, Solvable may receive updates about the status of your application, including—when available—loan amounts, application status, or final decisions. Each partner’s use of your information is governed by their own privacy policy, which we encourage you to review directly.
Refinancing may help reduce your monthly payments or interest rate, but potential savings will vary depending on the interest rate, balance, and remaining repayment term of your existing loans. In some cases, refinancing may result in a longer repayment term and higher total repayment over the life of the loan—even if monthly payments are lower.
Please keep in mind:
Variable rates may fluctuate over time based on market indices like SOFR, Prime, or another benchmark rate, and may vary based on borrower qualifications and whether a co-signer is used.
Fixed interest rates may also depend on term length, credit profile, or presence of a co-signer.
All terms, rates, and product availability are subject to change at the lender’s discretion and may not be available in all states or for all types of loans.
Due to federal lending regulations, lenders are required to provide potential borrowers with certain disclosures, including an Application Disclosure and an Approval Disclosure, during the application process. Solvable is not a lender or creditor and does not originate or fund loans, nor can we alter or offer credit terms. Only the lender you apply with can provide specific loan details and required disclosures.
Please Note:
Certain federal and private loans may not be eligible for consolidation or refinancing.
Some refinancing options may eliminate borrower benefits (e.g., grace periods, income-driven repayment plans, or federal loan forgiveness eligibility).
Loans in default typically cannot be refinanced until you complete a qualifying repayment program.
Be wary of providers requesting upfront fees for student loan services.
Other financial options—like personal loans, debt relief, or consolidation—may also be worth exploring. Consult with a licensed financial or tax professional to determine what’s best for your situation.
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Home insurance offers featured on Solvable are from companies or affiliates that may compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where offers appear on our site, including whether a company is featured or the order in which it is listed. Solvable does not include all home insurance providers or all offers available in the marketplace.
Each provider sets its own underwriting criteria, and coverage availability may vary based on the age, condition, location, and value of the home. Policy terms, limits, exclusions, and pricing are determined by the insurer and may change at any time.
Solvable is not a licensed insurance agency and does not issue policies or offer insurance advice. We recommend that users:
Compare quotes from multiple home insurance providers
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Home service offers featured on Solvable are from companies or affiliates that may compensate us. This compensation may affect how and where offers appear on our site, including their placement, order, or whether a provider is featured. Solvable does not include all home service companies or all available options in the marketplace.
Services may include HVAC repair, plumbing, electrical work, home cleaning, appliance maintenance, and other residential needs. Providers set their own pricing, availability, and service standards.
Solvable does not provide home services directly and does not guarantee the quality or reliability of any third-party service. We recommend that consumers:
Compare multiple providers and read recent customer reviews
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Confirm all details directly with the provider before scheduling any service
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Solvable is an online lead generation platform that allows consumers to compare rates, terms, and offers from a network of lenders and service providers. We do not offer, extend, or fund any loans. Instead, we connect users with lenders who may be able to help based on the information submitted through our forms.
Submitting an inquiry on Solvable is not a loan application. To move forward, you must speak directly with the lender, review their terms, and complete any application materials they require. Lenders in our network may not offer the lowest available rates, so we encourage you to compare quotes from multiple sources—including banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions—to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Solvable does not guarantee loan approval, interest rates, or potential savings. Any estimated savings or quotes are for informational purposes only and may not reflect your actual terms. Final rates, loan amounts, and eligibility are determined solely by the lender based on their underwriting criteria, which Solvable does not control or have access to.
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