Best Tax Relief Companies in Arizona

To choose a tax relief company in Arizona, check for licensed professionals (attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents) and compare reviews. Understand fee structures and ensure they handle your specific case. Here’s what you need to keep in mind as you look at your options in Arizona:

1. Check credentials and licensing

Taxpayers in Arizona can choose between national tax relief firms and local companies. Always request documentation of professional licensing. You can look up enrolled agents on the IRS directory or confirm a CPA’s status with the Arizona State Board of Accountancy. If a firm hesitates to provide proof, that’s a major warning sign.

2. Compare fees and payment structures

Tax relief providers structure their fees in different ways, so it’s critical to compare options. You’ll find three main types:

• Flat fees for specific services
• Hourly rates
• Fees based on a percentage of the tax debt

Ask for detailed quotes from at least three companies and make sure you know exactly what’s included in each price. Sometimes the cheapest firm isn’t the best value if key services are missing.

Ask if your case is handled in-house or outsourced.

3. Read reviews and check complaints

Reading reviews can give you an inside look at what it’s really like to work with a company. Below are the most common types of complaints we receive on ConsumerAffairs:

• Poor communication and unresponsive representatives: Many clients share that after they hired a firm, it became difficult to reach their assigned representative, with phone calls and emails going unanswered. Some people would wait weeks or months before anyone followed up or provided a case update.
• Multiple representative changes and lack of continuity: Some customers describe being transferred from one case manager to another repeatedly. This led to them having to retell their story each time and resulted in missing information or deadlines.
• High fees with minimal results: People can spend $3,000 to $10,000 (or more) with a firm, only to find out no actual tax reduction was achieved. In some cases, firms simply set up a basic IRS payment plan that clients could have established on their own.

  Austin from Coolidge learned this lesson the hard way. Although he was ultimately satisfied with the outcome, when he found out he could have done it himself, he felt he’d wasted his money. “I could have saved $3,000, made the payment myself, represented myself, and then it would have just been fine.”

• Aggressive upfront sales tactics followed by service delays: A number of reviewers mention that salespeople were very engaged before taking payment. After that, communication dropped off and progress on their case slowed dramatically.
• Requesting the same documents repeatedly: Many clients complain about being asked for the same paperwork multiple times. Some were told documents were never received, even when sent multiple ways, leading to frustration and wasted time.

A few negative reviews may not be a dealbreaker, but if you notice a recurring issue — especially if the company doesn’t respond or resolve the situation — consider it a red flag.

4. Verify experience with your type of tax debt

Tax problems can range from wage garnishments and back taxes to business payroll issues and unfiled returns. Not every company is ready to handle every problem. Ask firms how often they’ve handled cases like yours and what results they’ve gotten. The more specific experience a company has, the better.

5. Consider a local Arizona firm vs. a national company

While many national tax relief companies have large teams and broad experience, they may be less familiar with Arizona’s unique tax rules. Local firms can often provide more personal service and insight into the specifics of Arizona’s tax code.

Either route can work. If most of your tax debt is federal, a national firm may be fine. For Arizona state tax issues, a local expert could provide a real advantage.

6. Ask about the consultation process

Most trustworthy tax relief companies start with a free consultation to review your tax situation. You should receive a clear explanation of your options, not a pushy sales pitch. Beware of firms that rush through this or pressure you to sign up immediately. The best companies will spend time understanding your case and outlining realistic solutions.

7. Understand what’s guaranteed (and what’s not)

No legitimate company can guarantee an outcome before reviewing your IRS file and financials. While they can promise to follow a certain process, keep you informed and advocate for you, only the IRS or Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) can approve settlements or payment plans. If a firm claims it can erase your debt for “pennies on the dollar” before reviewing your case, walk away.

» COMPARE: Best tax relief companies in the U.S.

Tax relief is the process of resolving tax debt you owe to the IRS or ADOR. To do this, you need to negotiate with tax officials to lower your total balance, create a manageable payment plan or stop collection actions like wage garnishment. Tax relief is not a one-size-fits-all solution — the best option depends on your income, assets and total tax debt.

"Tax relief" is a broad term that refers to a set of programs designed to help taxpayers in trouble. Some people qualify for debt reduction, while others can only set up payment plans.

Common tax problems that require relief

People generally look for tax relief when they’re facing serious collection actions. These actions can quickly impact your ability to pay bills or access your own money, so quick action is critical. These include:

• Wage garnishments
• Bank levies
• Property liens

Other issues that often require tax relief include:

• Failing to file tax returns for multiple years
• Business owners with payroll tax debt
• Penalties that exceed the original tax owed
• Major life changes (divorce, job loss, illness) that make it impossible to pay

Common Arizona tax problems

A common tax problem in Arizona is for out-of-state businesses and workers who come to the state for disaster relief. They may face unexpected tax compliance burdens. Arizona has enacted laws to provide some tax relief for these temporary disaster recovery efforts.

According to Hubert Johnson of Guardian Tax Law, the ADOR is “often more aggressive than the IRS, with shorter timelines and stricter enforcement.” Furthermore, he says penalties can be severe: “The department can suspend professional licenses and business credentials for continued non-compliance, a serious concern for many Arizona professionals.”

» LEARN: How to get assistance with back taxes

How does tax relief work in Arizona?

The tax relief process usually takes several months and involves multiple steps. Your tax relief company will guide you through each phase. Here’s what to expect:

1. Initial consultation and case evaluation

Your tax relief company will first review your complete tax situation. This includes looking at your IRS transcripts. It will check unfiled returns, current income and monthly expenses.

Next, it will calculate your reasonable collection potential. This number determines whether you qualify for tax relief. The evaluation usually takes one to two weeks after you provide all required documents.

2. Negotiating with tax authorities

Your company will contact the IRS on your behalf and propose a solution based on your financial situation. This might be an offer in compromise (OIC), an installment agreement or a currently not collectible status. The IRS will review your proposal and may ask for more documents.

3. Resolution and payment plans

The IRS may accept your proposed solution. If it does, you'll enter a resolution phase. For payment plans, you'll start making monthly payments. For offers in compromise, you'll pay your settlement amount and follow the agreed terms.

Your tax relief company should help you stay compliant during this phase. That means filing all future tax returns on time and paying any new taxes you owe. Breaking these terms can void your agreement.

Arizona vs. federal tax relief

Federal tax relief deals with debts you owe to the IRS. This includes income taxes, payroll taxes and other federal debts. Most tax relief companies focus mainly on federal debt.

Arizona tax relief involves debts owed to the ADOR. This includes state income taxes, sales taxes or other state debts. The state doesn’t have a tax amnesty program, but it does offer a Voluntary Disclosure Program and a one-time Arizona Families Tax Rebate for eligible taxpayers with dependents.

Taxpayers can request a payment plan for debts under $5,000 at aztaxes.gov. For larger debts or more information, visit the "Payment Arrangement for Individuals" page on the ADOR website.

How long does tax relief take?

Simple cases can be quick, but more complex situations take longer. For instance, setting up an IRS installment agreement can take 30 to 60 days, while offers in compromise usually take six months to a year or longer.

Several factors affect the timeline:

• How quickly you provide documents
• How backed up the IRS is
• How much extra information is requested

Tax relief services usually cost between $2,500 and $7,500 for most cases. Simple matters cost less, while complex negotiations can cost a lot. Setting up a payment plan is much cheaper than getting an OIC, for example.

Your final cost depends on:

• How complex your case is
• How much you owe
• What type of resolution you’re seeking

The ADOR does not charge an application fee for its OIC program. This is in contrast to the IRS, which charges a nonrefundable $205 fee for its federal OIC program unless you qualify for a low-income waiver.

Flat fees vs. hourly rates

Flat fees are the most common pricing structure. You pay one set price, and the company handles your entire case from start to finish. This makes budgeting easier because you know the total cost upfront.

Hourly rates are less common. Rates usually range from $200 to $400 per hour, and enrolled agents, CPAs and lawyers will have different rates. The total cost depends on how many hours your case needs. The average hourly rate for a lawyer in Arizona was $266 in 2023.

Percentage-based fees

Some companies charge a percent of the tax debt you owe or charge a percent of what they save you. This model is controversial. Most good firms avoid percentage-based pricing.

Hidden fees to watch for

Some companies advertise low prices and then add fees for services that should be included. Watch for charges for basic tasks, including:

• Getting IRS transcripts
• Filing a power of attorney form
• Making phone calls to the IRS
• Admin fees
• Document prep fees
• Meeting fees beyond the first meeting

A good tax relief company should include all standard services in its quoted price. Get everything in writing before you sign a contract.

Payment plans for tax relief services

Most tax relief companies offer payment plans that let you pay their fees over several months.

Be careful with certain payment plans. Some need you to finish paying before the company starts working with the IRS. You could end up paying thousands in fees, with no progress on your case.

The IRS offers several programs that help taxpayers resolve their debt. Each option has specific requirements and works better for different situations.

Offer in compromise (OIC)

An offer in compromise lets you settle your tax debt for less. The IRS sometimes accepts these offers if it believes you can't pay your full debt within the collection period.

Getting an OIC approved is hard, and the IRS only accepts about 25% of requests. You need to prove you can't pay by showing your income, expenses, assets and future earning potential.

What to know: Most people don't qualify for an OIC. That's why companies that promise "pennies on the dollar" settlements are usually misleading.

Installment agreements

Installment agreements let you pay your tax debt over time with monthly payments. This is the most common form of tax relief (and the easiest to qualify for).

The IRS offers several types of installment plans. Short-term plans give you up to 180 days to pay. Long-term plans can extend up to 72 months.

The ADOR offers installment agreements for taxpayers who can’t pay their debt in full. Plans for debts up to $4,999 can be set up online for terms ranging from 6 to 12 months. For debts of $5,000 or more, taxpayers must contact the ADOR to negotiate a plan, which can last up to 24 months.

What to know: If you owe less than $50,000, you can often set up a plan online without the need for extensive financial documents.

Currently not collectible (CNC) status

Currently not collectible status temporarily stops IRS collection efforts. This happens when you can't afford to pay anything toward your tax debt, and the IRS agrees that payments would create financial hardship.

CNC status doesn't make your debt go away, and interest and penalties will continue to grow. The IRS will review your money situation from time to time, and if your income improves, it will restart collection efforts.

What to know: This option works best if you're facing temporary hardship and expect your situation to improve.

Penalty abatement

Penalty abatement removes or reduces penalties that were added to your original tax debt. The IRS charges penalties for:

• Filing late
• Paying late
• Understating your tax liability

What to know: You can request penalty abatement if you have reasonable cause. You need a reason for not meeting your tax duties. Valid reasons include:

• Serious illness
• Natural disaster
• Death in the family
• Relying on incorrect IRS advice

Innocent spouse relief

Innocent spouse relief protects you from tax debt caused by your current or former spouse. This applies in certain situations where your spouse:

• Underreported income
• Claimed false deductions
• Caused a tax problem without your knowledge

You must prove you didn't know about the tax error. The IRS also looks at whether it would be unfair to hold you liable.

What to know: This relief is most common in divorce situations. It also happens in cases of financial abuse.

Lien and levy release

A tax lien is a legal claim against your property when you owe taxes. The IRS files liens with local courts. This damages your credit and makes it hard to sell property or get loans. A tax relief company can help get liens withdrawn by setting up a payment plan or other resolution.

An Arizona tax lien is a public record that can harm your credit. It’s released after the debt is paid.

A levy is different. This is when the IRS actually seizes your property, wages or bank accounts to pay your debt.

What to know: A tax relief company can get levies released if the seizure creates immediate economic hardship.

» OPTIONS: How to handle letters from the IRS