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Independent review · Not affiliated with Optima Tax Relief

Last updated: June 25, 2026

Optima Tax Relief Reviews: Is It Legit? (2026)

Is Optima Tax Relief legit? Yes. Optima Tax Relief is a real, BBB-accredited tax resolution firm with an A+ rating, thousands of reviews, and a long track record. The details to know before you pay: fees start around $495 for the investigation phase and average about $4,000 total, the money-back guarantee only covers that first phase, and a common complaint is paying a lot and still ending up with an IRS payment plan you might have gotten yourself. Here is the full picture.

Dealing With IRS or State Tax Debt? Compare your tax relief options and real costs before you commit. Free, no obligation, no pressure. or call 1-877-850-3328

On this page Is Optima Tax Relief legit? What is Optima Tax Relief? How it works Fees and the money-back guarantee Offer in Compromise and results Ratings and complaints Pros and cons What to ask before you pay Frequently asked questions

Is Optima Tax Relief Legit?

Yes, Optima Tax Relief is a legitimate company. It is one of the larger and better-known tax resolution firms in the country, BBB-accredited with an A+ rating, with a physical headquarters, thousands of reviews, and a real track record of resolved cases. It is not a scam.

As always, legitimate is not the same as cheap, or right for your situation. The things that matter most with Optima are understanding the fee structure, knowing what the money-back guarantee does and does not cover, and being realistic about outcomes, since tax relief does not always reduce what you owe. The rest of this review covers the details.

What Is Optima Tax Relief?

Optima Tax Relief is a tax resolution company that helps individuals and businesses deal with IRS and state tax debt. It works the standard set of programs: Offer in Compromise, installment agreements, penalty abatement, Currently Not Collectible status, audit representation, innocent spouse relief, and tax lien and levy help. It generally requires a minimum of about $10,000 in tax debt to take a case.

Optima Tax Relief	At a glance
Type	Tax resolution company
Based	Santa Ana, California
Minimum tax debt	About $10,000
Investigation fee	Starts around $495
Average total fee	About $4,000
BBB	Accredited, A+ rating

How It Works

Optima typically uses a two-phase process. First is an investigation phase, where the company reviews your IRS account and figures out which resolution options you may qualify for, usually for a starting fee around $495. Then comes the resolution phase, where it handles the filings and negotiation, at an additional fee based on the complexity of your case. The full engagement can take months, and like all tax relief, the IRS makes the final decision on any program.

Want to Know Your Tax Relief Options First? See what actually fits your IRS situation before paying any fee. Free and no obligation. or call 1-877-850-3328

Fees and the Money-Back Guarantee

This is the part to read closely. Optima does not publish fixed prices, because cost varies with case complexity. In practice, fees start around $495 for the investigation and average roughly $4,000 in total, with some cases running higher. It offers flexible payment plans rather than requiring the full amount upfront.

The money-back guarantee is real but narrow: it applies only to the investigation phase, and only if you cancel within 15 days of signing, it does not cover the larger resolution fees. So if you pay for the full resolution and are unhappy with the outcome, the guarantee will not refund that. Get the total expected cost in writing before moving past the investigation phase, and understand exactly what the guarantee covers.

Offer in Compromise and Results

Many people come to Optima hoping for an Offer in Compromise, the program that lets qualifying taxpayers settle for less than they owe. Optima can pursue one, but not everyone qualifies, and the IRS approves a minority of offers. A realistic outcome for many clients is an installment agreement or Currently Not Collectible status rather than a dramatic reduction.

This is the source of the most common complaint: clients who paid thousands and ended up with a payment plan they feel they could have arranged themselves. That does not mean Optima did nothing, complex multi-year cases genuinely benefit from professional handling, but it does mean you should ask, before paying the resolution fee, what specific outcome they expect and how likely it is.

Ratings and Complaints

The ratings are strong on balance: an A+ BBB accreditation, a high volume of reviews, and many clients praising knowledgeable, professional staff who guided them through a stressful process. Those positive experiences are real and numerous.

The complaints are consistent too: high cost relative to the result, cases taking longer than expected, communication going quiet after payment, and the disappointment of paying a lot only to receive a standard IRS payment plan. There has also been class-action litigation involving the company, which is worth being aware of, though the company remains in operation and a single suit is not a verdict. Read recent reviews yourself and weigh both sides.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Legitimate, large, BBB A+ accredited firm
Thousands of reviews and a long track record
Full range of IRS resolution programs
Investigation-phase money-back guarantee
Flexible payment plans for fees

Cons

Fees average around $4,000, not published upfront
Money-back guarantee covers investigation phase only
Many clients end up with a payment plan, not a reduction
Reports of slow timelines and post-payment communication
$10,000 minimum tax debt

What to Ask Before You Pay

Before you pay past the investigation fee, get clear answers to these:

What is the total expected cost? Get the full fee in writing, not just the $495 investigation fee, and ask what could increase it.
What specific outcome do you expect, and how likely is it? Ask whether they realistically expect an Offer in Compromise, a payment plan, or another result.
What exactly does the guarantee cover? Confirm it applies only to the investigation phase and within 15 days, not the resolution fees.
Could I resolve this myself? For a simple payment plan, you may be able to set one up directly with the IRS at no cost. Ask honestly.
Who handles my case and how will we communicate? Given the communication complaints, confirm your point of contact and update cadence.

The smart move with any tax relief firm is to compare options and understand the full cost before paying past the investigation. You can explore tax debt relief options, learn about the IRS Offer in Compromise process, or compare your broader debt relief options first.

Compare Before You Commit See your tax relief options in one place, with no pressure and no obligation. or call 1-877-850-3328

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Optima Tax Relief legit?

Yes. Optima Tax Relief is a legitimate, BBB-accredited tax resolution firm with an A+ rating, a physical headquarters, thousands of reviews, and a long track record. It is not a scam. The main cautions are cost and expectations: fees average around $4,000, the money-back guarantee covers only the investigation phase, and many clients end up with an IRS payment plan rather than a debt reduction.

How much does Optima Tax Relief cost?

Optima does not publish fixed prices. The investigation phase starts around $495, and total fees average roughly $4,000, though complex cases cost more. Optima offers flexible payment plans. Always get the total expected cost in writing before moving past the investigation phase, since the larger resolution fee is separate and is not covered by the money-back guarantee.

Does Optima Tax Relief really get Offers in Compromise?

Optima can pursue an Offer in Compromise, which settles tax debt for less than owed, but not everyone qualifies and the IRS approves only a minority of offers. For many clients, the realistic outcome is an installment agreement or Currently Not Collectible status instead. Ask before paying the resolution fee what specific outcome Optima expects and how likely it is.

What does the Optima Tax Relief money-back guarantee cover?

The guarantee is narrow. It refunds the investigation-phase fee only, and only if you cancel within 15 days of signing the agreement. It does not cover the larger resolution fees or guarantee a particular outcome. So if you pay for full resolution and are unhappy with the result, the guarantee does not apply. Understand this before paying past the investigation.

Should I use Optima or deal with the IRS myself?

It depends on your situation. For a simple payment plan, you may be able to set one up directly with the IRS at no cost, which is why some clients feel they overpaid. For complex cases, multiple years of back taxes, audits, or pursuing an Offer in Compromise, professional help can be worth it. Ask honestly whether you could handle it yourself first.

Disclosure: CuraDebt is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Optima Tax Relief, and all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This page reflects our own research and opinions for informational purposes and is not a statement of fact about Optima Tax Relief's business. CuraDebt operates a matching service and is paid when we connect consumers with independent partner firms, so we have a financial interest in you requesting a free consultation. Always do your own research before choosing any provider.