Back Tax Assistance: Real Help or Only a Scam

Shannon McKee
Expert Contributor
Last Updated:
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.
  • Not all of the services available to people with back taxes are created equal as some companies are only interested in the check you write them.
  • When researching back tax assistance services look for red flags that a company may be looking to scam you out of your money.
  • A real back tax assistance service will offer an honest assessment and documentation on helping you with your tax situation.

Imagine the realization that a mistake occurred on your taxes, and you owe the IRS money. You go through your options and turn to a back tax assistance service. Then, you later find out that the company you thought was going to help you turn your back taxes around is an elaborate scam more interested in getting your money than helping you.

This scenario actually happened to some Americans who were in a bind with their back taxes. It can be a scary situation and cause you not to want to seek help from aback tax assistance service. The good news is that not every back tax company is a scam looking to prey upon you while ignoring their promises to you.

Some Back Tax Assistance Red Flags to Recognize

When it comes to scams, victims often initially miss red flags. However, in hindsight, these red flags should have been signs that something wasn’t right with the company.

  • The company finds you rather than you finding the company. Some of the companies involved with scams will look for IRS tax liens to identify potential clients. These companies use sales agents to find you and lure you in with promises to help.
  • Fake emails are allegedly sent to you from the IRS. The IRS doesn’t use email to send official documents, nor do they make harassing phone calls. The agency will use the U.S. Postal Service to send any notices or materials.
  • If the company makes big promises, those promises may be empty ones. You may have heard about companies that claim they can settle your back tax assistance for pennies on the dollar or that working with the IRS will be extremely easy. These additional red flags are ones that signal you need to avoid these companies. Actual back tax assistance companies won’t make promises without reviewing your materials.
  • The company claims it has always gotten the job done for its clients. Keep in mind that some cases exist where the IRS did not accept settlements. A company claiming a 100% rate of settlements is incorrect in its assertions since not every settlement will be accepted. Some of the scam companies will withdraw their settlement offer if they think the IRS is getting ready to reject it to protect this untrustworthy statistic.
  • The company doesn’t offer you a written contract or guarantees when it comes to the price of its services. Scam companies are often dishonest when it comes to how much their services will cost you or how much your bill will be after they’ve performed their services for you. Be sure to read any contracts carefully.
  • Companies that require full payment upfront are problematic. A nonrefundable policy is another giveaway of a scam that you want to avoid. Some scams may offer a refund policy, but they make it impossible for a client to use it, such as providing a shorter period of time to request your money or putting obstacles in your way.

The red flags presented above are some of the most common that you can encounter when trying to find a valuable back tax assistance service. Often, if something feels off or wrong with the company that you started speaking with about your back taxes, trust your instincts and protect yourself.

Explore IRS Back Tax Options

When you receive a notice in the mail from the IRS, you’ll want to address it immediately. Waiting to address an issue with the IRS can mean that you may miss a deadline set by the IRS, which could increase your back taxses through fees or penalties. Contacting the IRS gives you the opportunity to discuss your options when it comes to repayments.

Back Tax Assistance: Real Help or Only a Scam

Solvable Exclusive Offer

How Much Tax Debt Do You Owe?

 Recommended

If you feel as though you’re overwhelmed when it comes to finding the right option for you, reputable back tax assistance companies may be your best option. These companies can work with you and the IRS to find a payment plan or offer in compromise that works for all parties involved. An offer in compromise is an agreement between you and the IRS that settles the back taxes for less than you owe. While the IRS may not be able to remove all fees and penalties, the agency may be able to present you with a reasonable offer.

See More >> This Guy Resolved His $8,597 Tax Debt - Learn His Methods!

Recognize Real Back Tax Assistance Characteristics

The characteristics of a real back tax assistance company can help you pinpoint the differences between a real company and a scam.

  • A real company will be honest with you when it comes to how likely the IRS will accept or reject your offer.
  • A real company won’t chase you down but will let you inquire about its services if you are interested.
  • A real company will want to meet with you face to face with all your documentation in hand. In scams, you will often be dealing with a sales agent who wants to sign you up for services, yet you get little time with a CPA, tax professional, or lawyer on staff. A real service will get you in touch with the professionals that you need to help your situation.

Check Online Reviews

Finding a company that doesn’t promise you an unrealistic outcome is another sign you’re working with a reputable company. Don’t rely only on what they have to say to you. Look online and talk to others about the company. You’ll often be able to find reviews and other information about the company. If you don’t see any information about a company, you may want to avoid it. If you find many negative reviews, it may be time to move on to the next potential company.

Get a Written Contract

You should get a written contract that you’re able to go over carefully before you enlist any company’s services. This contract should detail what you can expect from the company regarding services and billing. The company you work with should be willing to go over the terms and conditions to help you make an educated decision on whether it can provide the right services for you to use.

Scam companies are a problem for the back tax assistance industry, and companies that genuinely want to provide a service to help people in need do exist. That’s where Solvable can provide assistance. We offer both educational services through our articles and resources along with our partnerships with companies that we know provide our clients with real services. It pays to do your homework. We’re here to help you with your research.

 

Shannon McKee
Expert Contributor
Last Updated: