Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/21/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On February 2024, I called a company named Tax Relief Advocates.I requested help with my taxes. **** ***** came on the phone and was speaking very fast. I interrupted him several times asking him to slow down. He still did not. He asked me to pay immediately $695 if I wanted any information about what Tax Relief Advocates could for me about my tax situation. I immediately gave my credit card and I was charged $695 that day.**** ***** then send me an email asking me to Docusign 2 forms: Form 2848 Power of *************** 8818 Tax Information Authorization.I did and when **** ***** called me back I explained to him that I would like to have another representative help me as I did not like the way he spoke to me - he was speaking too fast and would not let me ask any question.On February 27, 2024, he sent me a document called a ******************* Agreement" a PDF document of 10 pages - which look like a contract, requesting to pay an additional $5195 minus the $695. I refused to sign it and verbally requested to **** ***** to either have another Settlement Officer deal with me and my case or reimbursing the $695.**** ***** continued emailing me and did not abide by my request.I called and waited more than 5 months calling Tax Relief Advocates to credit me the money they had charged me - to no avail. I want to do a formal complaint about the way Tax Relief Advocates conduct their business.I would like the reimbursement of the $695.******* ******* ************

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/27/2025

  Dear *******,
  
  We take all feedback seriously and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns. After reviewing your file, we have confirmed that you have already spoken with a member of our team regarding this matter, and your concerns have been fully addressed and resolved.
  
  We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced and appreciate your patience. Should you have any further questions or feedback, please dont hesitate to reach out to us directly at *******************************.
  
  Warm regards,
  Client Relations Team
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/20/2025

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I hired Tax Relief Advocates after hearing their advertisement on Sirius XM, which stated, If we cant get your IRS bill reduced or eliminated, you pay nothing. Based on this promise, my wife and I signed up for their services and paid $3,645 over the past year. In the initial phone interview, we told them we were in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.Recently, we were informed that Tax Relief Advocates cannot assist us because we are in Chapter 13 bankruptcy. However, they never disclosed this limitation before taking our money. Since they have not reduced or eliminated our tax debt, we believe their guarantee was misleading. We requested a refund, because they have not honored their advertised promise.I am filing this complaint because their advertising appears to be deceptive and misleading. I request the *** to investigate this matter and help ensure consumers are protected from similar situations.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/27/2025

  Hello Macon,
  
  Thank you for sharing your concerns with us. Weve confirmed that youve had the opportunity to speak with our team directly, and your issues have been addressed. We truly appreciate your cooperation and your continued trust in our services. We remain committed to regaining your satisfaction.
  
  If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at *******************************.
  
  Best regards,
  Client Relations Team

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/18/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I hired Tax Relief Associates to help me with an IRS tax issue. I paid them ~****** in 2022. They assured me they would file the correct paperwork with the **** I was working with a person named ******* and he was helpful. Once they were paid I stopped getting updates. Each time someone would reach out and state these tax issues take time. September 2024 I was concerned that nothing was happening. I received a call and was told my file was lost and then found. They were again working on it. I was assured it would be dealt with by January. I have tired to get contact with TRA. Today I was told no one was there to talk to me. I asked to speak to anyone in management. They refused. I counted on them to deal with my *** issue and now I have been taken by a scam company.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/25/2025

  Hello ******,
  
  Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. We want to assure you that your case is a priority for us, and we sincerely apologize for any inconveniences you may have experienced. To address your concerns, we have escalated your file to our senior management team for a thorough review.
  
  You should have received a detailed voicemail and an email with contact information, as well as an appointment link, to schedule a conversation with our team regarding your case. We kindly ask that you get back to us at your earliest convenience so we can assist you effectively and work towards resolving any concerns you may have.
  
  Kind regards,
  Client Relations Team
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/14/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I was initially told that the service would be $595 plus whatever deal was worked out with the *** and if they couldnt get the debt reduced down to lower than that, I would receive a refund. Later they called back to state it would be $5000 for their service of which I told them I did not want to proceed. I did not go through with the onboarding call. I told my representative I did not want to proceed and I wanted a refund due to the deception. This company is performing trickery and lies about their fees. I would like to have my $595 refunded back to me on the basis that I was deceived into believing that they had a flat fee. I should not have to pay for services that were not performed. This should be against the law.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/17/2025

  Hello ******,
  
  It appears there may be some confusion regarding our services and processes. To ensure we address your concerns thoroughly, weve escalated your case to our senior management team for a detailed review. You can expect a direct call from us so we can assist you more effectively.
  
  In the meantime, if you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at ************************* We're here to help!
  
  Best regards,
  Client Relations Team
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/17/2025

  I dont believe this is a proper response to my concern. Why do your representatives mislead consumers. Had I known that I would be asked to pay this amount of money for you to prolong the process I would have never signed up. This is trickery at its finest and I would like my $595 refunded for a service you havent performed.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/27/2025

  Dear ******,
  
  We have confirmed that youve had the opportunity to discuss your concerns in detail with our team. Were happy to confirm that your concerns have been fully resolved. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please dont hesitate to contact us directly at *******************************.
  
  Kind regards,
  Client Relations Team

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/13/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am filing a formal complaint against Tax Relief Advocates due to unfulfilled services and an unfair refund offer following the termination of my contract. I engaged Tax Relief Advocates for tax relief services on December 4, 2024, and made payments totaling $3,395, assuming that services would be rendered as agreed.Summary of the Issue On February 6, 2025, I formally terminated my contract and canceled all services due to ongoing communication failures, service inaccuracies, and lack of tangible results. I requested a full refund for services not rendered, but the company only offered $1,600, significantly lower than what I am owed.Upon reviewing my payments and contract, I found the following:I paid $3,395 in total, including a $595 non-refundable discovery fee.The remaining $2,800 (Federal Resolution Fee of $2,150 + Onboarding Fee of $995) was never disclosed as non-refundable in our agreement.Despite my compliance with the terms of our agreement, I received no additional services beyond the initial discovery phase.Resolution Sought Since no further services were provided, Tax Relief Advocates is wrongfully holding my funds without fulfilling their contractual obligations. Therefore, I formally request a refund of $2,800, reflecting the total amount paid minus the disclosed non-refundable fee of $595.Supporting Documentation I have attached supporting emails and correspondence that document:My request for contract termination and refund on February 6, 2025.The lack of communication and inadequate service delivery led to my cancellation. My ongoing attempts to resolve this matter amicably before filing this *************** Request I urge Tax Relief Advocates to reconsider their refund offer and process the appropriate refund of $2,800 promptly. If the company fails to resolve this matter, I will pursue chargebacks through my credit card provider and take further necessary actions to recover my funds.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/17/2025

  Hello Shaaraim,
  
  Our team has made effort to resolve this matter with you directly. Based on the scope of work completed, we are able to offer the refund amount previously discussed. We understand that tax-related matters can be challenging, and we want to assure you that we are committed to providing satisfactory services. We recognize that you have expressed frustrations with certain hiccups, and when issues arise, we are always ready to address them and work toward your complete satisfaction.
  
  You should have received an email outlining the services provided, along with our 3-day cancellation policy for your reference. If you have any further questions or concerns, please dont hesitate to reach out to us by phone or at *******************************.
  
  We appreciate your understanding and look forward to assisting you further.
  
  Best regards,
  Client Relations Team

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/17/2025

  Dear Client Relations Team,
  
  I acknowledge receipt of your correspondence regarding the refund offer and appreciate your willingness to address my concerns. However, I must reiterate my request for a full refund in the amount of $2,800, which is $3395 minus $595 discovery fee as the services promised were not rendered, and my experience with your company has been marked by persistent issues and inadequate customer service. 
  
  While I acknowledge your previous offers of $1,600 on February 11th and $1,805 on February 14th, these amounts do not reflect fair compensation given the lack of services provided. From the onset, I encountered significant deficiencies in communication, responsiveness, and overall service execution, which ultimately resulted in my inability to benefit from the services I initially paid for.
  
  Furthermore, I have reviewed the terms and conditions, including your 3-day cancellation policy, and find that my request for a full refund is justified based on the failure to deliver the agreed-upon services. In the interest of resolving this matter amicably, I request a reconsideration of my refund amount to $2,800.
  
  Should we be unable to reach a resolution, I may be compelled to escalate this matter further, including but not limited to filing a formal dispute with my financial institution and pursuing additional avenues to seek redress. I encourage a fair and prompt resolution to avoid any unnecessary actions.
  
  Please confirm receipt of this correspondence and provide a response at your earliest convenience. I look forward to your prompt attention to this matter.
  
  
  Best regards,
  Shaaraim Whitley 
  
  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/27/2025

  Dear Shaaraim,
  
  Our team has made additional efforts to address your concerns and provide a thorough explanation of the scope of services rendered. We understand that you have chosen to terminate the services, and we respect your decision.
  
  In accordance with the agreement, we kindly ask that you refer to the Termination section for the relevant terms regarding service cancellation. After the cancellation period has expired, the refund amount will be determined based on the services provided. The breakdown of the services rendered, along with the corresponding charges, has been carefully detailed and explained to you in prior correspondence.
  
  We would like to reassure you that we have fully adhered to the terms outlined in the agreement and are prepared to proceed with issuing the final refund amount that has already been offered to you. Should you require any further clarification or have additional questions, we are more than happy to assist. To ensure the privacy and confidentiality of your case, we kindly request that you continue to engage with us directly.
  
  Thank you for your understanding, and we appreciate your cooperation in resolving this matter.
  
  Best regards,
  Client Relations Team
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/06/2025

  I do not accept the response made by the business to resolve this complaint

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/11/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Over 6 months ago agreed to a process to reduce/eliminate taxes. Over the past few months I have had 4 persons of contact, two of which no longer work there. My case sat until I contacted them. That was in November. To date any contact with updates were made by me. Sent email yesterday advising that this arrangement is not working, ask for a refund of $12000, and we part ways.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/17/2025

  Hello ******,
  
  Thank you for reaching out. To ensure we address your concerns effectively, we have escalated your case to our senior management team. Weve also made attempts to contact you directly, but unfortunately, we were unable to reach you.
  
  We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this matter with you. You should have received a detailed voicemail and email with specific contact information. Please get back to us at your earliest convenience. If you prefer, you can also reach us directly at *******************************.
  
  We look forward to resolving this for you.
  
  Best regards,
  Client Relations Team

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/09/2025

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Company was hired in September 2024 to resolve past tax issues. Nothing has been done. In December the *** began wage garnishment, leaving me less than $1200/month. Company indicated at the end of December a power of attorney was mailed to me, it was not. Company indicated in the middle of January that the *** was sent 3 times. More lies. The *** was finally received at the end of January. According to the tracking it was not sent to me until the end of January, a month after they said it would be sent. Had they been working on my account since September the wage garnishment?never would have happened. Because of the wage garnishment i cannot pay the agreed monthly fee, now they have stopped work due to lack of payment.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/14/2025

  Hello ****,
  
  After reviewing your file, weve confirmed that the form you mentioned was initially sent to you via email. We understand there were difficulties in you returning it, which caused a delay. After you requested the form to be sent by mail, our team acted promptly, and the form was mailed to you three times on separate occasions, as the first two attempts were not received. We understand that dealing with tax matters can be frustrating, and we always aim to make the process as smooth as possible.
  
  To further assist you, we would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you directly to address any confusion or concerns you may have. Despite several attempts to reach you, weve been unable to connect. You should have received both a voicemail and an email with specific contact details. If its more convenient for you, please feel free to reach out to us at *******************************.
  
  Were eager to resolve this for you and ensure everything is in order.
  
  Best regards,
  Client Relations Team
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/08/2025

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I paid $600 fee for them to look at my back taxes and get me approved for the tax forgiveness program. It took them 3 MONTHS to get back to me to tell me what I owe (I already knew that information). Then they spring another $5,000 fee but (lucky me!!) they would reduce it down to only $4,000. I told them that was a bait and switch tactic but was ignored. Then they said they could approve me (which they didnt) for a 36 month plan. Total scam!!!

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/14/2025

  Hello *******,
  
  Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns with us. Weve made an attempt to contact you directly but were unable to connect. To ensure we address any questions or misunderstandings regarding our processes and services, we kindly ask that you get back to us at your earliest convenience.
  
  You should have received both a voicemail and an email with detailed contact information. If its more convenient for you, please feel free to reach us at *******************************.
  We look forward to resolving this for you.
  
  Best regards,
  Client Relations Team

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/05/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I Contacted TRA Tax Relief Advocates For their tax services payed $8,000 after month of waiting for them to help i started getting threatening letters from *** and i told them about TRA and *** had not heard anything from TRA they never filed my case nor help me at all and they refuse to refund my $8,000 dollars they charge me they are a SCAM they dont help only steal peoples money with false promises

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/11/2025

  Hello ****,
  
  Our team has made significant efforts to address your concerns and provide clarity regarding your case. As previously advised directly to you, we have been unable to make progress due to the lack of necessary documentation that we have requested from you, which has not been provided since your initial enrollment in October.
  
  At this time, you do not qualify for a refund. The required documentation has not been submitted, preventing us from proceeding with services. Please refer to the service agreement under client duties for further clarification. Additionally, please note that we have a three-day cancellation period for our services, which has already passed.
  
  We remain fully committed to assisting you in resolving your tax matter, but this will require your full cooperation. If you have any further questions or concerns, please dont hesitate to reach out to us directly at *******************************.
  
  Best regards,
  Client Relations Team
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/03/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  We owed a significant amount of money to the *** and we are making payments monthly. We reached out to *** to find out if they could help to provide some relief. After initial talks and assurances that they could help, we signed with them and they had a 3rd party financial company to service a loan for the full payment of $10K with a guarantee that if they could not help us, this money would be refunded.After several years, where there were periods of no communication by us due to hardships (deaths in the family, etc.) and by them when we tried reaching out by email and phone but got no response. Long story short, they ultimately provided several "solutions" - all of which would have ended up costing us more money, not less.Because they "did the work" and offered "solutions" they refused to offer any refund. How can any option that costs more money to pay the *** be called a "solution"? This was an absurd scam and waste of our time and money.We are now out over 10K and paying that off in loan installments in addition to the original monthly payment to the ***. I recommend that anyone reading this seriously consider any other similar company and avoid Tax Relief Advocates ("TRA").

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/10/2025

  Hello *****,
  
  Thank you for sharing your concerns with us. After thoroughly reviewing your file, we can confirm that you have been in contact with our team, and a direct meeting has been scheduled to ensure that all your concerns are properly addressed. Our goal is to fully understand the issues you're facing and work together to find a timely and effective resolution.
  
  We truly appreciate your patience and cooperation throughout this process. Rest assured; we are committed to providing the support you need. If you have any additional questions or require further assistance before the meeting, please dont hesitate to reach out to us at *******************************.
  
  Best regards,
  Client Relations Team
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/10/2025

  The response by the business was to inform me that they are aware that we have a phone meeting scheduled for next week.

  Clicking on "Accept" would have "closed this case". The case cannot be closed until we have our phone meeting and we have come to a satisfactory agreement.

  Regards,

  ***** *******

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/25/2025

  Hello *****,
  
  Thank you for your patience and for discussing your case with us. As we discussed, we presented resolution options that could provide savings and help resolve your tax matter. Unfortunately, you and your spouse decided not to move forward with these options, and as a result, we are unable to honor a refund. A significant amount of work has been completed on your case as well.
  
  We understand your decision, but please know that if you change your mind at any time, we are more than willing to assist you further and work towards a resolution for your tax matter. To protect the privacy of your case, if you have any further concerns or feedback, we kindly request that you contact us directly to discuss further in detail. You may also contact us at *******************************.
  
  Best regards,
  Client Relations Team

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/26/2025

  I reject the response because every option presented to us would cost us more money up front than what we are currently paying. The goal was to reduce and/or eliminate our tax burden of $500 per month. The options presented required us to pay more on a monthly basis, or to pay a significant lump sum of money.

  Those were options we could have come up with ourselves without your assistance, if we could have afforded to do so.

  It appears we are at an impasse. You are unwilling to offer even a partial refund, which leaves us "high and dry" on $10,000 out of pocket for this failed endeavor.