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Optima Tax Relief experiences? Scam or actually helpful?
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I think a lot of their reputation comes from advertising. They’re everywhere online and on TV which makes them look official. But that doesn’t mean they’re the best option. Do your homework before signing anything.
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They helped me stop some IRS wage garnishments which was a lifesaver at the time. So in that sense they did what I needed. Still the price tag was painful and i probably could have gotten the same result with a tax attorney.
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If you’re considering them, ask very specific questions about what they will do for you. Do not accept vague promises. And definitely read the fine print on their contracts bcz they lock you in once you pay.
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I did not hire them but i did a consultation. They seemed knowledgeable but the fees were insane compared to just hiring a tax lawyer locally. The lawyer ended up being cheaper and more personal.
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For me the scariest part was dealing with IRS letters. Optima took that off my plate which reduced my stress. But financially i could have saved thousands if i had just pushed through and handled it myself.
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One thing i noticed with Optima is the process takes a long time. They’ll tell you it is normal but it can feel like nothing’s happening for months. That was frustrating for me.
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I didn’t hire them but a coworker did. She said they got her into an affordable settlement but it ended up costing almost as much as her original debt. It’s kind of a tradeoff with less stress but more expense.
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To me it feels like their main selling point is convenience. They take the IRS stress off your shoulders. If you’re okay paying a premium for that peace of mind it can make sense. If not just go direct.
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If you are on the fence I’d suggest getting quotes from a couple of local CPAs or tax attorneys. In my experience they are usually more transparent and sometimes even cheaper than the big national firms.
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