Optima Tax Relief vs Tax Defense Network

Mandi Rogier
Expert Contributor
Last Updated:
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If you’re interested in tax relief services, you’ll find many companies vying for your attention. It’s not always easy to know where to start when you’re seeking financial services. This breakdown of Tax Defense Network and Optima will help you evaluate these two top contenders as they go head-to-head.

Requirements and Availability

Most tax relief companies have a minimum threshold that you must meet in order to take advantage of their services. It’s important to understand where these limits are, so you don’t waste time researching a company that will ultimately be unable to help you.

 

Tax Defense Network

Optima Tax Relief vs Tax Defense Network

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To work with Tax Defense Network, you must have a minimum of $5,000 in debt. This is a relatively low threshold, which makes the service more accessible, but perhaps also better-suited for those with lower debt sums. This company offers services in all 50 states.

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Optima

Optima is also available in all 50 states. The minimum here is higher, at $10,000, which indicates that this company focuses more on consumers with a high amount of debt and more complex cases. If you’re within this higher threshold, it’s often best to go with a company that’s prepared and equipped to handle a more serious situation.

How They Work

Back Tax Assistance companies work in many different ways. All attempt to help you resolve your outstanding back taxes, but it’s important to review the full range of services that are available to you. Every situation is different, and you want to be sure that your chosen company can help you with your specific struggles.

Tax Defense Network

Working with Tax Defense Network, you’ll begin with a free consultation. This helps you get a better idea of what the company can do for you. This consultation is particularly beneficial for those who aren’t sure if they want to commit to working with a back tax assistance company. You’ll learn early on how Tax Defense Network plans to address your issues.

Tax Defense Network provides a wide range of services including:

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  • Representation during tax audits
  • Settling IRS back taxes through penalty abatement, offer in compromise, installment agreements, and other methods
  • Tax return preparation
  • Assistance with student loan debt
  • Financing or financial assistance for those in need
  • Assistance with tax liens
  • Help fighting wage garnishment
  • Tax education for future use

Optima

Optima gives you helpful information on how they can address your tax issues even before you take the step to make a phone call. Their website features a handy online screening tool that will get you pointed in the right direction from your very first point of contact with the company.

You can learn more easily with just a few clicks. Optima also offers free consultations with their enrolled agents, so you’ll get an idea of what the company can help with before you invest in their complete services.

Optima’s line of back tax assistance services are satisfyingly comprehensive. These include assistance with:

  • Tax liens and levies
  • Back taxes
  • Outstanding IRS back taxes
  • Wage garnishment
  • Tax penalties and interest
  • IRS audits
  • Payroll taxes
  • Unfiled tax returns

History and Reviews

When you’re working with a back tax assistance company, you want to know that it’s been positively reviewed by others in your situation, with a long history of successful service.

Tax Defense Network

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Tax Defense Network has an impressively long history. The company has been in business for 21 years. If you prefer to work with professionals who are well-established within an industry, Tax Defense Network will provide the peace-of-mind you’re seeking.

Despite its long history in the business, however, Tax Defense Network does not carry all the available accreditations in the industry. Tax Defense Network is rated as an A+ business with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It gets high ratings and positive reviews with the BBB. Reviews hosted elsewhere on the internet are predominantly positive, though there are some reported drawbacks. The most common recurring complaint is that it’s difficult to get in touch with someone when a customer has complaints or issues.

Optima

Optima has a shorter history than the Tax Defense Network, having been in business for only eight years. In that time, the company has earned several accreditations. It is an IRS Approved Continuing Education Provider, a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP), and an “A”-rated member of the Business Consumer Alliance. Optima also has an A+ rating with the BBB, and predominantly positive reviews. Most customers provided positive reviews on the internet after working with the company. The most common complaint among those who were dissatisfied was that the company added too many fees to the final cost.

Cost

While back tax assistance companies ultimately aim to help you save money, it’s important to note that these services certainly don’t come for free. Before you sign up to work with a back tax assistane service, you should consider the costs and make sure that what you’re saving outweighs what you’re paying for assistance.

Tax Defense Network

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The average cost for working with Tax Defense Network is $2,500 to $3,000. This is relatively high, particularly considering that the company works with debts as low as $5,000. If you’re unhappy with your services, you have three days to request a refund. While this is better than companies that don’t provide any refund period, it is still relatively short, and something you’ll want to be mindful of.

Optima

Optima’s prices are based on the total sum of your debt. Their prices begin as low as $999, but this will increase for those with more back taxes. If you have $35,000 in owed back taxes, for example, you should expect to pay between $2,000 and $5,000 for Optima’s back tax assistance services.

One of the prime benefits of Optima’s back tax assistance services is its money-back guarantee. You can get your money back for 15 days after using the company’s services. This is extremely competitive with other top providers in the industry.

If you’re looking for help with your outstanding back taxes, a back tax assistance company can give you the expertise and assistance that you need to potentially clear thousands of dollars in debt and avoid severe consequences from nonpayment. We’ll help you review your options and choose the company that’s ultimately best-suited to your needs.

 

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Mandi Rogier
Expert Contributor
Last Updated: