The short answer to the above question is yes, they do – assuming you hire a reputable company and have reasonable expectations about what it can accomplish for you. There is, unfortunately, a lot of false or intentionally misleading information circulated by tax debt relief companies that greatly exaggerates the effectiveness of their tax resolution services. For example, many companies promise to obtain settlements for “pennies-on-the-dollar” that are simply not granted to the vast majority of people who owe back taxes. Some other tax debt relief companies attempt to drum up business by offering access to “special programs” that are for the most part nonexistent. A good rule to abide by when shopping around for tax resolution services is that if anything sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Signs of a Tax Debt Relief Scam
For every legitimate company that provides tax resolution services, it can sometimes feel as if there is a fraudulent one trying to make a quick buck by taking advantage of desperate people.
A tax debt relief scam can often be identified by one or more of the following:
- Immediately promising to drastically reduce or eliminate your back taxes, as well as any interest or penalties, in your initial consultation
- Guaranteeing that they will be able to have a taxing authority forgive your tax obligations
- Assuring a specific settlement amount without reviewing detailed financial documentation
- Referencing the “Fresh Start” program as a new, time-sensitive special program to settle your back taxes
- Disguising mail solicitations to appear like official notices from a tax authority
What to Look For
Perhaps the best piece of advice that can help you identify a legitimate tax debt relief company is to limit your search to those that offer an initial consultation with a licensed tax professional. Specifically, make sure that you are speaking with (and will be represented by) a licensed tax professional such as an Enrolled Agent (EA), a certified public accountant (CPA), or a tax attorney who has experience with the IRS administrative collections process.
Another hallmark characteristic of a good tax debt relief company is one that demonstrates a willingness to provide you with a wealth of helpful information accompanied by a solution that is carefully tailored to your unique tax circumstances.
Our Customer Reviews
What better way is there to feel confident about the integrity of a tax debt relief company than to read what its past customers have to say? At Blueprint Resolution Services, we are honored to have received many positive reviews from those who have benefited from our professional tax resolution services. We invite anyone who is in need of tax debt relief to read our reviews as a way of developing an understanding of how we conduct our business.
Blueprint Resolution Services is operated by licensed tax professionals who have over 50 years of combined experience in the areas of tax debt relief, tax preparation, bookkeeping consulting, and audit defense.
The information provided on this website does not constitute legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice or services. The information provided is intended for general informational purposes only and cannot be used to avoid any tax obligations or penalties imposed rightfully by law.
