The tax decision business has a fame for sketchy, even predatory habits. By the point you’re tens of 1000’s of {dollars} in debt to the IRS, you’re prepared to imagine pie-in-the-sky guarantees of quick, painless fixes to wipe out most or all of what you owe.
I’ve spent the higher a part of a decade protecting tax decision corporations. Imagine me once I say that these guarantees virtually by no means pan out. Most tax decision corporations are completely satisfied to take your cash, make some noise within the IRS’s basic route, after which depart you to type out your tax points by yourself.
Best Tax is totally different. Its in-house tax attorneys and CPAs can’t work miracles with the IRS — nobody can — however they don’t fake to both. When you have critical earnings tax points, you need to severely contemplate working with them.
What Is Best Tax?
Best Tax is a tax decision firm that helps people and companies take care of the IRS and resolve tax issues. It has been in enterprise since 2010 and operates in 48 states. It’s often referenced by its full title — Best Tax Answer — however extra typically as simply “Best Tax.”
Best Tax gives a spread of tax decision companies. Its in-house tax attorneys and IRS negotiation specialists assist purchasers take care of IRS actions like:
Best Tax communicates with the IRS on purchasers’ behalf. It helps purchasers arrange and handle IRS cost plans, put together and file amended tax returns, and file beforehand unfiled returns. It additionally provides longer-term Safety Plans that bundle tax decision companies with ongoing tax help and monitoring, together with current-year tax return preparation and submitting for people and companies.
Best Tax’s decision companies are customized to every shopper, and so is its pricing. Best Tax doesn’t cost flat or mounted charges for its companies. Your value depends upon how advanced your scenario is and the way a lot work it takes to resolve. You gained’t discover a tax decision service menu with set costs on its web site. Some verified buyer critiques declare that Best Tax charged them far more than anticipated for its work.
Best Tax is clear about the price of its ongoing Safety Plans, nevertheless. Relying in your plan, count on to pay wherever from $39 per thirty days to $150 per thirty days. Safety Plans include discounted tax decision companies if and when wanted, however Best Tax doesn’t say how a lot you save on tax decision as a plan member.
How Best Tax Stacks Up
Best Tax is a complete tax decision supplier that gives ongoing help for particular person and company taxpayers. Nevertheless it doesn’t have the business all to its personal. Earlier than signing up with Best Tax, see the way it stacks as much as a well known competitor: Anthem Taxes.
What Units Best Tax Aside?
Not like extra transactional tax decision corporations, Best Tax is a relationship-based firm that’s straightforward to get in with and cozy to work with for months and even years on finish. See what units it aside from the competitors.
Each New Shopper Will get a Free Session. Each new Best Tax shopper will get a free session. Through the session, an Best Tax worker critiques info you offered on-line, goes over your tax scenario with you in additional element, and determines whether or not you’re match to work with the corporate. Many rivals cost for preliminary consultations — typically at lots of of {dollars} per hour.Simple On-line Inquiry Course of. One of the best a part of Best Tax’s web site — which isn’t excellent total — is the net inquiry instrument. It’s tremendous easy to make use of, doesn’t require any tax data, and takes only a few minutes to finish.Complete Tax Safety Plans. Along with customized tax decision companies, Best Tax provides 4 totally different long-term safety plans with clear pricing. Every bundles a complete array of tax companies, together with tax preparation and submitting, audit protection, and steadiness monitoring. Many smaller tax decision outfits don’t.
Benefits of Best Tax
Best Tax is extra skilled and customer-friendly than many tax decision corporations. Sure, your particular person outcomes could fluctuate and Best Tax is cautious to not promise particular outcomes, however you possibly can really feel assured going into the connection. And that’s greater than you possibly can say for some rivals.
Prices Nothing to Get Began (Or Resolve You Don’t Wish to Proceed). Best Tax doesn’t cost in your preliminary session. You gained’t need to pay something to search out out what Best Tax can do for you. And if you happen to determine it’s not going to work out, you gained’t be any poorer for it.Educated Employees. Best Tax’s employees consists of tax attorneys, non-attorney tax consultants, enrolled brokers (tax prep specialists), and case managers. All know federal tax points by and thru.Lengthy Monitor File of Profitable Tax Resolutions. Best Tax has been in enterprise for greater than a decade. It’s not a fly-by-night tax decision firm — it has an extended report of success and lots of of constructive critiques to show it.Broad Array of Tax Companies. Best Tax does greater than negotiate with the IRS in your behalf or defend you towards a full IRS audit. Its group helps you monitor your tax scenario, file current-year and past-year tax returns, and make sure you keep present on present and future IRS cost plans. And it really works with each people and companies.
Disadvantages of Best Tax
There’s all the time room for enchancment. For instance, I’d prefer to see Best Tax put money into a greater expertise for potential customers, which might imply revamping its complicated web site and being extra clear about how a lot its tax decision companies value.
Tax Decision Pricing Is Not Clear. Questioning how a lot you’ll spend for tax decision with Best Tax? You gained’t discover particular greenback figures or perhaps a basic vary on its web site. Best Tax makes clear that you just pay primarily based on how advanced your scenario is, however some upfront steerage can be good. Safety Plans Could Not Be Crucial. Best Tax’s long-term Safety Plans value wherever from about $40 to effectively over $100 per thirty days. Though they do bundle probably worthwhile and time-consuming companies like tax prep and submitting, they embrace few if any duties you possibly can’t do your self. Sure, even if you happen to’re not a tax skilled.Complicated Web site. Past the clear, user-friendly inquiry portal, Best Tax’s web site is disappointing. The navigation is complicated, many pages are loaded with dense and poorly written textual content, and the ratio of helpful to not helpful info is low.
Best Tax Decision Companies
At its core, Best Tax is a tax decision firm. It exists to assist individuals and small companies who owe the IRS appreciable sums or are going through IRS audits.
These are the principle tax decision companies Best Tax provides, plus extra element on what precisely you get if you join one in all its long-term Safety Plans. Be aware that Best Tax can’t assure that it’ll resolve your tax issues favorably — solely that its group will do the whole lot of their energy to assist.
Dealing With Tax Levies and Liens
When you’ve obtained discover of a tax lien from the IRS, Best Tax can assist. A lien is a declare towards property that you just personal that the IRS information if you owe unpaid taxes. The IRS can file liens towards:
Actual property you ownBank account and different monetary accounts you controlVehicles you ownBusiness belongings, if the taxes are owed by your businessOther worthwhile property that the IRS is aware of about, reminiscent of boats and leisure autos
When coping with tax liens towards purchasers who can’t pay their tax steadiness in full, Best Tax negotiates with the IRS to do one of many following:
Discharge the lien, which normally occurs if you promote the property however may occur if the property isn’t value as a lot because the IRS thinksSubordinate the lien, or cut back its precedence in order that different collectors have first declare to your propertyWithdraw the lien, which may occur if the lien wasn’t filed correctly or if you happen to’ve arrange a cost plan with the IRS
An IRS tax levy is extra critical and pressing. It means the IRS is definitely shifting to grab property or belongings to cowl your tax money owed. Best Tax can’t all the time cease asset seizure, however it might probably negotiate with the IRS to scale back your steadiness owed and assist you to get better among the proceeds.
Resolving Wage Garnishment
In sure circumstances, the IRS can garnish your wages to cowl unpaid tax money owed. This implies the IRS takes a portion of every paycheck you obtain, which may severely squeeze your finances.
If the IRS is taking a few of your paycheck, Best Tax works to restrict what the IRS can take and finally cease the method. Relying in your scenario, it might:
Attempt to negotiate an offer-in-compromise, the place you pay lower than the total quantity the IRS claims you oweTry to qualify you for currently-not-collectible (CNC) standing as a consequence of monetary hardship, which delays IRS assortment activitiesSet up an IRS cost plan, generally known as an Installment Settlement or IA, with a manageable month-to-month cost to pay down your tax burden
Responding to Tax Notices
Best Tax can assist you evaluation, perceive, and reply to tax notices from the IRS.
Receiving an unfamiliar letter from the IRS IS not by itself a cause to rent Best Tax. Many notices aren’t pressing and don’t imply you owe the IRS cash. Test the IRS’s web site first. It has explainers on many of the notices the company sends, and infrequently you’ll discover a easy reply to your query there. You can even name the IRS to ask a reside particular person for clarification.
If you’re involved a few specific discover, you possibly can arrange a free session with an Best Tax rep to debate it. When you’d like Best Tax to symbolize you in your dealings with the IRS, they’ll reply to the discover in your behalf and handle future communications with the company, all the time holding you within the loop.
Assist Qualifying for the IRS Contemporary Begin Program
Launched in 2011, the IRS Contemporary Begin Program makes it simpler for individuals who owe again taxes to settle their debt for lower than they owe. It loosened the beforehand strict necessities for offer-in-compromise settlements in order that many extra taxpayers qualify.
Nonetheless, the method of qualifying for the Contemporary Begin Program and establishing an offer-in-compromise is complicated for nonexperts. Best Tax focuses on qualifying taxpayers for Contemporary Begin, brokering a compromise, and serving to them keep present on any cost plan that comes out of it.
Making ready and Amending Tax Returns
Best Tax provides earnings tax preparation companies for current-year tax returns, together with amended returns and return extensions. Best Tax can deal with private and enterprise tax returns, regardless of how difficult.
Not like on-line tax prep companies that require you to fill out the whole lot your self, Best Tax is hands-on. Its group of CPA and enrolled brokers take the monetary info you present, full your return, ship it again to you for evaluation, after which file it with the IRS and any state tax authorities you owe cash to.
Submitting Previous-12 months Tax Returns
Submitting prior-year tax returns is commonly needed to deal with outdated tax liabilities and settle up with the IRS. Some on-line tax prep software program applications and unbiased CPAs can’t assist with prior-year returns, however Best Tax does — so if it’s essential file a number of years of again taxes, get in contact.
IRS Audit Response and Protection
Best Tax can assist you reply to IRS audit notices and defend you if you happen to’re topic to a full audit.
Needless to say many “audits” require little motion in your finish. The IRS merely adjusts your tax return, and if you happen to agree with the brand new quantity owed, you ship them cost to settle the matter.
It’s extra invasive “bookkeeping audits” the place the IRS calls for proof of earnings, liabilities, and different info that impacts your tax legal responsibility that Best Tax can actually assist with.
Lengthy-Time period Safety Plans
Best Tax provides 4 long-term Safety Plans that bundle a spread of companies right into a single fixed-fee bundle.
You don’t have to be an present tax decision shopper to join a Safety Plan. Nonetheless, if the necessity arises, every plan comes with discounted decision companies. Best Tax doesn’t say how a lot you save with this low cost, however any financial savings is healthier than none.
Safety Plans value between $39 per thirty days and $150 per thirty days, relying on which you choose. The comparability chart beneath reveals most of what you get with every, however you possibly can see the total record of companies on the Best Tax Safety Plans web page.
Extra Options of Best Tax
Best Tax has just a few different options value noting. See beneath for extra details about its preliminary utility and onboarding workflow, and for particulars of the important thing accreditations and memberships that make it extra reliable than the standard tax decision firm.
Simple On-line Inquiry Instrument
Best Tax’s on-line inquiry workflow is one of the best a part of its web site by a mile. It gained’t get you all the way in which to a contractual relationship with Best Tax — it’s essential discuss to an on-staff knowledgeable for that — however it’s a vital first step within the course of.
When you’ve utilized for a mortgage or bank card on-line earlier than, the instrument ought to really feel acquainted. It’s a step-by-step expertise that makes use of dropdown menus and easy kind fields that will help you reply:
The tax problem or points you need assistance withAbout how a lot the IRS says you oweHow a few years of again taxes you need assistance withWhether you’re being auditedOther necessary particulars about your tax scenario
When you’ve accomplished the workflow, you’re in Best Tax’s system, and you may count on a member of the group to achieve out to you to debate your case in additional element. Bear in mind, that preliminary session is free.
In fact, you may as well name Best Tax straight at (888) 720-0442 or e-mail [email protected]. However finishing the workflow provides you a head begin and takes only a few minutes.
Shopper Watchdog Accreditations
Best Tax is accredited or endorsed by a number of client watchdog organizations and pro-consumer teams. Essentially the most notable are:
The Higher Enterprise Bureau, the place Best Tax has an ‘A’ ratingConsumer Affairs, a pro-consumer group that charges and critiques for-profit businessesThe Enterprise Shopper Alliance, a commerce group that promotes moral enterprise practices
Skilled Group Memberships
Best Tax additionally belongs to 2 skilled organizations straight related to what it does:
The Nationwide Affiliation of Tax Professionals, which helps and gives persevering with training for U.S.-based tax preparers, attorneys, decision specialists, and othersThe American Bar Affiliation, a well known skilled affiliation for U.S.-based attorneys, together with tax attorneys
Is Best Tax Legit?
Sure, Best Tax is reliable. It’s not a rip-off. Over 12 years in enterprise, the Best Tax group has helped 1000’s of taxpayers resolve their tax issues with the IRS. The corporate is licensed in 48 states — practically your entire nation.
Best Tax is a member of a number of pro-consumer organizations too:
The Higher Enterprise Bureau — Best Tax has an ‘A’ score from the BBB, signifying widespread buyer satisfactionThe Enterprise Shopper Alliance, which helps would-be clients consider corporations for high quality and honestyBest Firm — Best Tax is a High 10 ranked firm with Finest Firm
And Best Tax has lots of of four- and five-star Google critiques from happy clients. Not each Best Tax buyer has their tax issues resolved to their satisfaction, after all, however Best Tax doesn’t declare to be good — simply higher than the alternate options, doing nothing, or making an attempt to take care of the IRS your self.
Options to Contemplate
Undecided Best Tax is your best option in your tax reduction wants? Contemplate these alternate options, every with its personal clear strengths.
Last Phrase
Best Tax has a whole lot of advantages for individuals and small companies combating tax issues.
It provides a complete vary of tax decision companies. Though probably expensive, its 4 Safety Plans assist busy individuals handle their tax obligations, cost plans, and communications with the IRS. It has an extended report of success. And it prices nothing to talk with an Best Tax rep to see if it’s match.
Best Tax isn’t good, although. Its web site is complicated, even overwhelming. Its tax decision pricing isn’t clear, and a few previous purchasers complain that they paid greater than anticipated. And except for discounted tax decision companies, its Safety Plans are primarily about saving time — if in case you have the boldness to take care of the IRS your self, navigate the huge world of tax deductions, and put together and file your individual taxes, you won’t want one.
So, must you work with Best Tax? Solely you possibly can reply that query for positive — however it gained’t damage to get in contact and study extra.
