Alleviate Tax Relief Services Review

About Alleviate Tax Relief

A newer name in the tax relief world, California-based Alleviate Tax was formed in 2018 and has quickly earned a name for themselves. Their mission is to stand between their customers and the IRS, leveraging every available strategy, program and negotiation tactic to reduce your tax debt to the smallest amount possible, protect your assets and help you gain peace of mind.

With a large team of more than 150 tax professionals, Alleviate Tax carries more than 500 years of combined experience and is able to help customers across the country.

Alleviate Tax is a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited business with an A-rating. Their experienced staff includes members of the National Association of Enrolled Agents, the National Association of Tax Professionals and the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers. 

Additionally, the company has been recognized for their commitment to ethics, integrity and client service through various awards and recognitions, including being a finalist for the BBB Torch Awards for Ethics. This speaks to their values as a company, and consequently, how they approach helping their clients regain peace of mind and financial stability.

Services Offered

Alleviate Tax offers tax relief through a number of various avenues. Here’s a rundown of the services that Alleviate’s tax professionals are experienced in and can leverage based on your specific needs:

• Tax Debt Relief: Substantially reduce your tax liability and save thousands in penalties, interest and fees. Alleviate Tax will negotiate on your behalf, and identify different programs that can help your unique situation.
• IRS Fresh Start: There are multiple paths to tax relief under the Fresh Start program, and Alleviate is well-versed in the options that can benefit each customer best.
• Offer in Compromise: This is a program under the IRS Fresh Start umbrella, which may enable some taxpayers to settle their debt for less than the full amount owed. This strategy is one of the most difficult to qualify for and achieve, so having a tax professional can really help you navigate this program.
• Penalty Abatement: Penalty relief may be available through the IRS Fresh Start program. Through this process, taxpayers may be able to have hefty penalties and accompanying interest removed. Alleviate Tax’s professional negotiation can help bring favorable outcomes in this process.
• Wage Garnishment Removal: If you owe back taxes and are currently employed, the IRS can sometimes collect up to 70 percent of your gross income. Alleviate Tax can help you get back into compliance with the IRS and with an approved installment plan.
• Delinquent Tax Return Filings: One of the first ways to get in compliance with the IRS is filing past tax returns. Alleviate Tax utilizes IRS Master File transcripts to determine your standing and re-file substitute returns to achieve a better result based on your situation.
• Installment Agreements: Alleviate Tax can negotiate reasonable payment plans based on your circumstances that allow you to repay your tax debt slowly over time. In many cases Alleviate can even get much of the interest and penalties removed as well. 
• Bank Levy Release: If the IRS has issued a levy notice that they intend to seize your assets for the purpose of tax repayment, Alleviate Tax may be able to help by negotiating with the IRS and getting an installment plan removed before the levy is carried out.
• Tax Resolution Assistance: While you have the option of calling the IRS on your own, the tax professionals at Alleviate Tax can help by contacting the IRS on your behalf, often achieving a better outcome than if you were to go it alone.
• California Tax Attorney: As a California-based firm, Alleviate Tax can provide professional tax representation for California taxpayers.
• Innocent Spouse Relief: If you’re in the situation of being tied to the tax debt of a spouse or former spouse, Alleviate Tax can have the entire obligation, including penalties and interest removed completely.
• Non-Collectibles & Statute of Limitations: For those whose wages only cover your necessary living expenses, and you have no assets that can be levied by the IRS, Alleviate Tax may be able to get you approved for an IRS status called “currently not collectible” (CNC). In this status, penalties and interest will continue to accrue. If you are CNC for some or all of the 10-year statute of limitations, and this time expires while you’re still CNC, the tax obligation will become permanently not collectable.

How it Works

Alleviate Tax has a simplified process for resolving tax issues and getting taxpayers in compliance and back on track. Here’s what the process looks like:

1. Free Consultation: It starts with a free consultation with a tax professional, who will learn about your tax situation and review any IRS letters you’ve received to gain an understanding of your circumstances and determine if you qualify for their tax relief services.
2. Phase 1—Investigation: This step includes establishing communication with the IRS on your behalf to obtain IRS transcripts and records, analyze your situation in detail, review all possible resolution options and present you with a customized summary and strategy.
3. Phase 2—Active Resolution: In this step, your customized plan is executed. Alleviate Tax works directly with the IRS, submits all required documentation, fights for penalty abatement when applicable and works to secure the best possible resolution.

Requirements & Fees

Alleviate Tax does not specifically outline their requirements and fees upfront on their website. In general, most tax relief services require a minimum debt amount (usually around $10,000) to qualify for their services, but Alleviate Tax states that most taxpayers dealing with IRS tax debt qualify for some sort of relief, and eligibility depends on individual factors like your tax liability, number of delinquent tax years, income, expenses, assets and IRS compliance status.

The initial consultation is completely free and there is no obligation to move forward. Exact pricing depends on the complexity of your case and is provided during your initial consultation. Alleviate Tax has established a flat-fee pricing model for phase 1 of the process. Clients are informed of all costs upfront and there are no additional or hidden fees after the process begins. 

If you decide to move on to the investigation phase, there is a fee that must be paid upfront. However, you may be able to qualify for a hardship discount depending on your circumstances. From there, if you move into the resolution phase, Alleviate Tax can set up a payment plan through their company, or explore possible financing options with top lending partners in the industry.

How Alleviate Tax Relief Stacks Up

Now that you know what Alleviate Tax has to offer, let’s see how they compare to other well-known tax relief companies:

Alleviate Tax vs. Anthem Tax Services

Alleviate and Anthem are two top names in tax relief, both offering a full suite of services customized to each individual’s tax needs and a free, no-obligation initial consultation. With Alleviate, the process is set up into two phases, investigation and active resolution, with a flat-rate fee for each phase. Anthem charges a non-refundable initial investigation fee, but does have a money back guarantee if they cannot reduce your tax debt or rework your payments after the initial investigation process. Alleviate Tax does not offer a money back guarantee.

Alleviate Tax vs. Five Star Tax Resolution

Like Alleviate Tax, Five Star Tax Resolution is a well-known tax relief company. Both offer similar tax resolution services and a free consultation for getting started. Both companies have a favorable rating with the Better Business Bureau and have received a number of awards and recognitions for various aspects of business. 

While Five Star Tax Resolution has been around longer, since 2007, Alleviate Tax has earned a solid track record since they were founded in 2018 and has demonstrated a high degree of capability when it comes to resolving tax debt for their clients.

The Bottom Line: Why We Love It

Tax debt is overwhelming to navigate on your own. Having a team of professionals to help you through the process can relieve some stress and can often result in a better outcome for you as well. Alleviate Tax shines for their clear-cut process and a flat-fee pricing model. They have an excellent track record for successful resolutions and with a large team of more than 150 tax professionals, they can help clients all over the country. If you’re looking for a resolution for your tax debt, you’re not alone. Alleviate tax can help you form a clear picture of what you owe and understand your options for moving forward—and it all starts with a free, no commitment consultation.