Optima Tax Relief LLC

I paid a total of $4990 to Optima Tax Relief. My case manager told me that I would have to set an installment agreement with the IRS for $265/mo. starting on 28 May 2016. If I had known earlier that it would boil down to setting up an installment agreement with the IRS, I could have done this last year on my own and not have to pay the $4990.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
Regards,
[redacted]

I closed my business after 16 years do to the change in the economy. I ended up owing close to $25,000.00 in taxes. Next up I lost my house. Out of desperation I consulted with Optima Tax Relief for help with my situation. They were extremely helpful. After reviewing my financials and current income they contacted the I.R.S. with an Offer-in-compromise to settle my account. My account was settled for the sum of $250.00. I still don't believe how this turned out. I am very grateful to all of the people who helped this come about and I would recommend Optima Tax Relief to anyone who would find themselves in my shoes. Thanks again, Gary M.

SUMMARY -
Optima...

Tax's management had been in contact with the client to
discuss his concerns prior to receiving the Revdex.com complaint.
 
RESPONSE
-
Optima Tax’s management has made contact with the client to
discuss his claims stated in the complaint. Although Optima Tax is very successful
in reducing our clients’ liability, we do not make any promises nor do we make
any specific guarantees that our clients would automatically receive a
reduction. Any reduction to our clients’ tax liability must be presented and
approved by the applicable government tax authority.
 
Furthermore,
based on the Client Service Addendum, which the client had agreed to and
signed, the client had hired Optima Tax for Representation, IRS Compliance and to
ultimately set the client up on an affordable payment plan. As we continue to
review the client’s case, it appears that Optima Tax was able to receive a nominal
reduction in his liability. Additionally, each and every client will go through
a financial analysis to assure that we have explored other possibilities for
further reductions.
 
The
client unfortunately claims that no one contacted him regarding his concerns.
Contrary to this statement, however, upon receiving client’s notification of
his concerns on or about November 20, 2015, our Executive Relations Team
immediately reached out the same day to address his concerns. The team also
followed up on the 23rd until contact was made on the 24th.
We are pleased to say that as of December 10th of 2015, we came to a
mutual resolution and are parting ways amicably.  
 
At Optima Tax we strive to uphold the philosophy that
"clients come first" and all of our representatives go through rigorous training to assure we abide by that
philosophy. We take all complaints very seriously, and we do our best to turn
them around when possible. Optima Tax
will continue their efforts in resolving this unfortunate dispute until a
resolution is met. Thank you.

This company has yet to resolve my situation with the IRS. They have been "working" on my case for 18 mos with no resolution. Now there is a lien on my practice which will make it difficult to sell and the IRS will start taking out 15% of our social security. Not much resolved after 18 mos and almost $7000.

They did a fantastic job for me and were very helpful and professional

SUMMARY - Optima Tax's management has been in contact with the client prior to receiving the complaint to address her concerns as outlined in the complaint and we’re working towards a mutual resolve     RESPONSE - Optima Tax’s management has established communication with the client to...

formally address her concerns. Optima Tax had been in contact with the client in late August of 2016 to address the same concerns. During those discussions the client became unresponsive.   As the client stated in the complaint, she hired Optima Tax to represent her before the IRS due to an outstanding tax liability. When the client hired Optima Tax her case was very complex, which required a substantial amount of work. More so, she hired Optima Tax for Audit Representation. After reviewing the client’s situation and presenting this information to the IRS, the IRS was unwilling to adjust the audited amount of the assessment. Thereafter, Optima Tax strategized and determined that amending the client’s tax returns would be the most beneficial to her. By amending the client’s returns, Optima Tax was able to achieve a refund, which the IRS credited to the outstanding balance that the client owed, reducing the balance drastically. With the remaining balance Optima Tax set up a low affordable monthly payment plan for the client.   We can truly understand the client’s frustrations in not receiving the large refund that was owed to her by the IRS. However, that tax year unfortunately was processed 3 years after the filing year. Per the IRS guidelines, the refund essentially had expired and there is no way to retrieve said refund.   Although Optima Tax tried its best to reduce the liability, the tax authority ultimately makes the final decision. Unfortunately they will not waive penalties based off hardship alone. There are a lot of variables that will lead to a reduction. Unfortunately the client did not meet the criteria to reduce any part of the liability. The client claims that she was never advised of the end result however, we have documented evidence that shows she was fully aware of the end result of her case. We made multiple attempts to go over the final details verbally that were unsuccessful. On June 3, 2016 the client was given an itemized breakdown of the services provided and the end result of her case.   At Optima Tax we strive to uphold the philosophy that "clients come first" and all of our representatives go through rigorous training to assure we abide by that philosophy. We take all complaints very seriously, and we do our best to turn them around when possible. Optima Tax believes it has addressed the client's concerns but will continue to keep all lines of communication open until we finalize a resolution. Please do not hesitate to contact Optima Tax with any questions. Thank you.

Optima Tax relief really let us down! They put us in a worse situation with the IRS plus in addition we are out $3,500 that we could of used to pay the IRS. When we voiced how unsatisfied we were the staff comments were rude. No one ever follow up and they happily closed our contract and took there money. All the work they done for us we did previous with the IRS. "save your money" We got scammed!

example before Optima tax relief I negotiate with the IRS to pay

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.             Mr. [redacted] as stated that he would be able to refund myself an Mr. [redacted] 350.00 I told him I no longer have contact with the other party his signature is needed to release the money,he stated in thru his lawyer that this company was a scam. I did most of the dealings with this company an signed electronically for him since he traveled so here in the situation wich looks like we will get nothing supposedly Mr. [redacted] is to be working out of town he told our son he was leaving Fri. now it's Wed.I did send this information to Mr. [redacted] an that it was a bad divorce costing my relationship with my daughter,this is just another way this person has done things to myself an our son he stated he would pay support for our disabled son nothing yet I also stated in an e-mail that I would give the money to my son he does not deserve to be in the middle of this pattern of ugliness,I'am not sure how to go about this anymore I was also taken by another tax place an that to was a scam so been there done that,I'am unable to work due to some health issues an see why they just can not pay the funds to me as I did the payments thru a credit card for Walmart using my money left from a severance pkg from my ex-employer,I dealt with all tax issues unless they really needed his input wich I was told he was working an for them to stop bothering him.So from this point this will be another lesson to learn an will probably not receive anything from this corporation.                                                                                                                                                           Thank You                                                                                                                                                       [redacted]

my name is [redacted] I clarified that Optima Tax Relief is good company and staff do excellent work to helping peoples to solve their tax problems

SUMMARY - Optima Tax's management has been in...

contact with the client in an effort to establish a line of communication.   RESPONSE - Optima Tax’s management has attempted to establish contact with the client to address his concerns as outlined in the complaint. As the client stated in the complaint, he hired Optima Tax to represent him before the IRS regarding an outstanding liability. After Optima Tax completed the initial Investigation and obtaining the IRS conditions, Optima presented our findings to the client along with our formulated strategy to finalize a resolution on the client’s behalf. The services that the client contracted Optima Tax to perform included, among other things, setting the client up on an affordable Installment Agreement based on the client’s financial situation. At no point did Optima Tax guarantee that the client’s overall tax liability would be reduced by any specific amount. However, Optima Tax prides itself on pursuing every available option to ensure we obtain the best possible outcome for our clients, which may include a reduction of our client’s liability.   Prior to engaging Optima Tax Relief the IRS had already begun collection efforts against the client. Although Optima Tax is capable of obtaining a Stay on Collection activity from the IRS, the individual circumstances and complexity of the client’s case will ultimately dictate whether the IRS is willing to accept the stay of enforcement we negotiate on behalf of our client. Moreover, Optima Tax does not promise, guarantee or in any way insinuate that we can stop all collection activity, as the ultimate decision to accept a Stay of Enforcement is with the IRS.   While in the Resolution Phase, a client must be in complete compliance with the IRS, which means all tax returns must be filed, before Optima Tax can begin negotiating a final resolution. The client was thoroughly advised of this requirement throughout the process. Optima Tax did in fact prepare and file the client’s tax returns for 2014 and 2015, as was agreed to in the Client Service Agreement Addendum. As the client references, the overall liability increased upon the IRS accepting the 2014 and 2015 tax returns because of additional tax being owed for those years. However, the increase in liability is not a result of Optima’s failure to act in accordance with the Addendum Agreement.   Although we understand that the client was hopeful of obtaining a reduced tax liability, Optima Tax clearly disclosed to the client that a reduction is not guaranteed. Because of the client’s dissatisfaction Optima Tax has offered the client a refund as a courtesy to him, to which he has declined as stated in the complaint.   At Optima Tax we strive to uphold the philosophy that "clients come first" and all of our representatives go through rigorous training to assure we abide by that philosophy. We take all complaints very seriously, and we do our best to turn them around when possible. Optima Tax believes it has addressed the client's concerns appropriately and will continue to reach out to the client until we come to a final resolve. Please do not hesitate to contact Optima Tax with any questions. Thank you.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.Problem: I filed a complaint with you about a month ago and they were all over it and did just enough to stop the complaint. They ensured me that they would deliver on the services that I paid for and I have no paid the full amount. $900.00 Since they took the balance I have sent many e-Mails (I have all copies) with NO/ZERO reply. The process is that once I pay they send me some documents for me to complete - then they negotiate with the IRS on my behalf. As of today - I have received nothing since they took the final payment of $500 which was their "excuse" for not doing what they promised the first time around. I also have no reason to believe that they will stop the next levy, another service they said they would provide. This whole process is a scam and they do just enough to keep their Revdex.com rating - NO MORE.
Desired Outcome: 100% refund, not "we did some work we are going to keep X%" - or - do what they promised to do when they took my money...
Regards,
[redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
[It is true that Optima Tax Relief has reached out and left a voicemail and email on September 9th to which I responded via call on September 12th and emailed on September 16th.  I was told on September 12th that Mr. [redacted]r wasn't in , but will be returning calls.  I was informed that since he leaves the office at 330pm (PST) on the weekdays and I get of work about the same time (Central Time), they will try to assign my complaint to someone else.  I haven't heard back from any.  I have directly called the IRS three times from the time Optima Tax revoked the power of attorney.  I was informed by IRS Agent #[redacted] and Agent#[redacted] that there has no Installment Agreement in place.  The IRS has confirmed that the Agreement has only been received on September 7th.  Could you please show any documentation on your end confirming that the IRS has received or processed my Installment Agreement as you claimed in April and July? 
As an entity representing clients like me, it is your duty not only to INFORM about the penalties that will accrue while the balance has not been paid, but also to find ways how to prevent this or to stop the bleeding.  You have taken my financial assessment several times and in fact informed me that an Offer in Compromise (to lower my taxes) is not possible since I have investments to cover what I owed.  Why then let me wait for a result that you knew was imminent and not suggest to pay off the taxes?  Would that have been more of a TAX RELIEF to me?]
Regards,
[redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
Regards,
[redacted]

Optima Tax has continued to reach out to the client
and had scheduled multiple appointments
to speak with them on the phone but, each appointment has been missed by the
client. It’s unfortunate that the client feels as if his Tax Associate used
“scare tactics”. We can assure you that is not our approach. It is however, our
job to fully inform the client of the severity of their case and the actions
the IRS is looking to take in order to satisfy the client’s outstanding
liability. Given the fact that this concerns the Federal Government, we feel a
tax payer should clearly understand the potential consequences they are facing
and have a sense of urgency in resolving the balance to avoid any enforcement
action by the IRS. In this particular case, the client is in active collections
and his assigned Tax Associate apprised the client accordingly given the urgent
nature of the client’s situation.  
As the client mentioned, given his profession and
work schedule he is rather busy and is difficult to get a hold of to address
his concerns directly. In our latest email to the client, we did provide a
couple of options in an effort to either continue representing the client or
part ways amicably. We will continue our efforts until this matter has been
resolved.

SUMMARY -
Optima Tax's management immediately
reached out to the client to discuss his concerns outlined in the complaint. The
client has confirmed he is satisfied with the outcome.
 
RESPONSE -
Optima Tax’s management reached out
to the client to address his concerns as outlined...

in the complaint. Optima
Tax’s program is broken down into two phases - an Investigation Phase and the
Resolution Phase. During the Investigation Phase, we were informed by the IRS
that a lien was already in place against the client. During the Resolution
Phase, the client informed Optima Tax that he either wants to reduce his tax liability
or pay the full balance, depending on his ability to pay. After a discussion
with the client, particularly as to why a lien had been in place, the client decided
to continue his services with Optima Tax and is satisfied with the outcome.  
 
At Optima Tax we strive to uphold
the philosophy that "clients come first" and all of our representatives go through rigorous
training to assure we abide by that philosophy. We take all complaints very seriously, and we do
our best to turn them around when possible. Optima Tax believes it has addressed the
client's concerns appropriately and considers the matter closed. Please do not hesitate to contact
Optima Tax with any questions. Thank you.

SUMMARY -
Optima...

Tax's management made contact with the client to discuss
her concerns as outlined in the complaint.
 
RESPONSE
-
Optima Tax’s management has made contact with the client to
discuss her claim as stated in the complaint. It is truly regrettable that the
client is unsatisfied with the end result of our investigation. In order to
clarify, Optima’s services are separated into a two phase approach,
Investigation and Resolution. During our Investigation, Optima gathered
extensive information which we presented to the client along with our proposed
Resolution services.
 
In most
cases, during the initial investigation, Optima Tax will discover that the
client’s case is more complex than our clients may realize. Moreover, Optima
uses the information it gathers during the investigation, to establish the
services that we will provide in the Resolution phase. Additionally, the IRS
will often enforce collection action on our clients and our investigation allows
us the opportunity to implement a stay of collections to assure our client’s
are protected. Although it may appear that the information we obtained was
virtually identical to the information the client had knowledge of, we ultimately
conducted a thorough investigation, as outlined in the Client Services
Agreement, and thus performed all of our obligations that the client enrolled
for. We have yet to finalize any resolution with the client; however, we are
confident that we will come to a mutually satisfying resolve.
 
At Optima Tax we strive to uphold the philosophy that
"clients come first" and all of our representatives go through rigorous training to assure we abide by that
philosophy. We take all complaints very seriously, and we do our best to turn
them around when possible. Optima Tax
will continue its efforts in resolving this unfortunate dispute until a
resolution is met. Thank you.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted] and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
If their internal review by their IT department concluded that this was done by a 3rd party, I want to know WHO that third party is, if they if fact did find one.
Regards,
[redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
Upon closer examination of your proposal, I cannot agree to the terms as they are written.  I feel that I have been taken advantage of and I paid for services that I did not receive.  I stand firm in my belief that if I were told up front, in the very beginning that I'm only eligible for you to work out a payment plan with the IRS, I would have never agreed to pay you $2,000.00!  I am not incompetent and I believe I was intentionally misled and misinformed.  In addition, I cannot keep quiet about what happened to me.  I am outraged and I feel I need to share my experience on media websites and to my colleagues.  Putting me on a payment plan with the IRS is not worth $2,000.00!  Your company has been in business long enough to know when a client is eligible for reduced tax debt, a payment plan or C & R!  You should be forthcoming with your clients and spell it out for them completely!  In addition, I am confident I could have done the same thing (as I had done in the past) and it wouldn't have cost me a dime!  I had to make sacrifices to make those payments to you and I don't feel I received the services to justify me paying you two thousand dollars!  I wish I could get an itemized breakdown of the services rendered.  This is not ok!
Regards,
[redacted]

When I received my notice from the IRS that I owed more than one third of what I earned in the tax year in question I panicked. I had no idea if this was legitimate and if it was - where would I get the money to pay that off in the one month the IRS had given me in their letter.

So, based on the ads on the radio that we've all heard, I called Optima - I expected typical lawyer crap: no free quotes, pay a retainer and still end up owing, etc.

What I got from Walter and the team at Optima Tax Relief was anything BUT typical: before asking me for any money he walked me through the letter and helped me certify that it was legitimate. He helped me understand all the options that are possible and helped me get an idea, based on my income and expenses, of what I could expect. Essentially, at no cost and with no waiting period I received from Optima all the information I needed to know to understand my situation and grasp it logically.

Walter then explained, very clearly, their protocol - a 2 stage process wherein they 1st file power of attorney to keep the IRS from simply taking the money from my check, investigate to see if I'm being overcharged and verify that it is all I owe (you DO NOT want to be hit with this twice) then, in the second stage, they determine what programs I'm eligible for with IRS for paying off the debt and how much my monthly payments would end up being and fighting, on my behalf, for payments I could manage.

BOTH stages were FLAT fee retainers with NO additional costs paid to Optima and BOTH were extremely reasonably priced with GREAT payment plans available for those of us who can't pay in full.

I went ahead with Stage 1 and, luckily, came across the funds to cover my debt to the IRS and did not need Stage 2 - however, if I hadn't I would've been confident in my ability to survive this BECAUSE of the services provided by Optima Tax Relief.

If you get a letter - Call Optima; at the very least they'll give you the information you need and, at best, you'll have a shield against the IRS (who could ask for more?).