Optima Tax Relief has been in business for a decade, working with customers to handle aggressive Internal Revenue Service and state tax agency collections. They report having seasoned tax attorneys and IRS-enrolled agents representing their clients. They specialize in tax negotiation and settlement agreements, audit defense, levies, liens, wage garnishments, and back taxes.
But lately, there has been some question about the company’s credibility and criminal convictions. When you’re faced with tax debt and mounting penalties, you may consider looking for help from a tax relief company. But it’s hard to figure out who you can trust. Here we will cover the ins and outs of the company.
Optima Tax Relief Overview
The tax relief company operates across the nation, offering a free consultation. Clients are assigned a dedicated case manager, a tax attorney, or IRS enrolled agent to help with their tax issues. The company charges investigation fees in the range of $500 and resolution fees ranging from $1,500 to $4,000. Refunds are available for dissatisfied clients only with the first 15 days after enrolling in their program.
The tax professionals that make up the Optima team include:
IRS Enrolled Agents that specialize in preparing and filing returns. These agents usually have a background with the IRS or have taken and passed IRS exams. The Internal Revenue Service licenses these professionals. They can represent clients in front of the IRS and have unlimited practice rights meaning they can represent any taxpayer for tax problems of all sizes and severity.
Certified Public Accounts that advise businesses and individuals through tax problems.
Tax Attorneys have a Juris Doctor in Taxation help with legal matters for clients.
Optima Tax Relief reports to help clients with:
- Acquiring Tax Records and Returns
- Preparing and Filing Past Due Returns
- Tax Planning
- Investigating Tax Debt Amount
- Audit Representation
- Tax Lien and Levy Release
- Wage Garnishment Release
- IRS Fresh Start Program
- IRS Installment Agreements
- Negotiating Offers in Compromise
- Resolving Asset Seizure
- Providing representation for you with the IRS.
Possible Resolutions
The resolution they work to achieve depends on your specific situation. Usually, the company works to get an installment agreement, Offer in Compromise, or Currently Not Collectible Status for clients. More about the resolutions that may be available to you:
Offer in Compromise: This program allows you to pay a fraction of the owed amount. The IRS will consider your income, assets, and expenses when determining if your offer will be accepted.
Currently Not Collectible Status: This status means that you cannot afford to pay the back taxes, and there is no way for the IRS to collect. With this, the IRS cannot garnish wages or seize assets.
Installment Agreement: If Optima can negotiate a payment plan, you can pay them over time in reasonable amounts. Under the Fresh Start Agreement, if you owe less than $50k, you can get 72 months to pay your debt.
Penalty Abatement: This process covers just the penalties added to your debt. Due to natural disasters, serious illness, and other situations, you could get this.
Who Owns Optima Tax Relief?
With a Wall Street background, he left the fast-paced world at Merrill Lynch and launched Optima Tax Relief. Optima Tax Relief was founded by Harry Langenberg and Jesse Stockwell, Wharton School of Business graduates. The mission was to help their clients achieve the best possible results in negotiation with the Internal Revenue Service.
Is Optima Tax Relief a Legitimate Company?
According to the Better Business Bureau. The company has an A+ rating. While there are complaints listed, the company works to address them to the BBB’s liking.
Wrongdoing Controversy by An Enrolled Agent
In March of 2015, Richard Schultz, an Enrolled Agent for Optima Tax Relief in Santa Ana, California, pleaded guilty to obstructing and endeavoring to obstruct the administration of the Internal Revenue Code. Optima clients with levies imposed to collect back taxes between December 2012 and June 2013 were aided by Optima Tax Relief. Schultz reportedly obstructed the IRS by creating false levy releases for ten Optima Tax Relief clients.
He took previously issued levy releases and altered them with white out. He then entered his client’s taxpayer information and sent them to Optima Tax Relief clients. These clients forwarded them to their financial institutions, who then released the levies on their accounts.
Why Would I Need a Tax Relief Company
You Owe Back Taxes
When you owe money to the Internal Revenue Service, and you don’t pay, penalties and fees begin to add up. This debt will not go away. A tax relief company can help you negotiate with the IRS and decide the best option for resolving your tax issues.
Have You Filed All Returns?
If the answer is no, you are leaving yourself with no options. The IRS will not work with individuals with unfiled tax returns. A tax relief company can help you get your tax returns prepared and filed with the IRS.
Your Wages Have Been Garnished, or Liens and Levees Have been Applied
If you ignore the notices and the IRS has garnished your wages or placed a lien or levy on your bank accounts or property, you need the help of a tax relief company to get back on the right track.
Do I Qualify for the IRS Programs
You can qualify if you don’t have the money to pay your expenses and back taxes simultaneously. You will need to provide your financial information and file all of your taxes.
Trust The IRS Tax Relief Network
If you owe back taxes, the time to act is now. That’s the only road to peace of mind. The IRS Tax Relief Network is here to help you with fair pricing and honest help. We can act as a liaison between you and the Internal Revenue Service and negotiate on your behalf. To get the help you need today, contact us!
