TRA Overview
- Tax types: Personal, business, federal, state
- Fee structure: Flat pricing
- Minimum debt required: $5,000
- Professionals on staff? Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), Enrolled Agents (EAs), attorneys, consultants
- Estimated resolution timeframe: 6 weeks to 18 months
- Estimated costs: $595 to $795 (discovery), $2,500 to $5,000 (resolution)
- Best for: People who owe mid-size balances or prioritize close communication
Tax Relief Advocates (TRA) Full Review
TRA’s responsive customer support, wide selection of tax relief services, and commitment to ethics contribute its positive reputation. However, its limited digital tools, high upfront discovery fee, and limited public pricing reduce its overall score.
Let’s look deeper at TRA’s performance across our five review categories.
Reputation
Tax Relief Advocates (TRA) has offered state and federal tax relief services since 2017, making it a newer market entrant compared to the 19-year industry average we calculated. Based in Irvine, California, TRA serves individual and business taxpayers. Unlike Optima Tax Relief, TRA doesn’t publicly disclose how many cases it has handled or how much tax debt it has resolved.
TRA’s ratings and reviews vary. It holds Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation with the highest A+ rating. The average Tax Relief Advocates BBB review score is 4.25 out of 5.
Based on over 1,500 reviews, this score is slightly above our observed industry average of 4.1.
However, on Trustpilot, TRA has an average rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars based on around 100 reviews, which is below the industry average of 4.1.
The company has received recognition for its ethical approach to tax relief. It was among the Orange County companies that won the BBB Torch Award for Ethics in 2021 and 2024, demonstrating trust.
Scope of Services
TRA’s tax relief services are available in all 50 states, which is standard for the industry. The firm has consultants, EAs, CPAs, and tax attorneys, offering a broader range of experts than some competitors.
While TRA advertises that it handles complex federal and state tax issues, its website doesn’t mention local tax services. Here is an overview of its wide range of solutions:
- Debt resolution: Get help with IRS installment plans, negotiate a lower debt via an Offer in Compromise (OIC), pursue innocent spouse relief, or request “currently not collectible” status to delay collections.
- Tax return filing and amendment: Have TRA handle unfiled or amended tax returns related to your issue.
- Collections defense: Stop paycheck garnishment, defend you against the seizure of assets, or remove existing liens or levies that tax agencies have placed.
- Penalty abatement: Request the removal or reduction of tax penalties resulting from an error or reasonable cause.
- Audit defense: Let TRA’s experts help you prepare for an audit or represent you before tax agencies.
Audit representation stands out since many tax relief firms don’t offer it. However, some competitors offer additional services, such as bookkeeping clean-up.
Cost
- Free consultation: Yes
- Discovery fees: Yes, $595 to $795
- Estimated resolution costs: $2,500 to $5,000
- Money-back guarantee: Yes, for the investigation phase
Tax Relief Advocates’ main website is relatively sparse and includes virtually no information on pricing. (It feels more optimized to push visitors toward signing up for its free consultation.)
Based on our independent research, TRA follows a flat-rate model, which is preferred in the tax relief industry. It offers greater transparency than hourly-based structures, which can lead to unexpectedly high costs for complex cases.
TRA typically charges discovery fees that appear to be on the high side. Commenters on online forums report paying an initial retainer of up to $795. We were quoted $595 for investigative services.
That puts TRA among the pricier companies we researched. Many tax relief firms don’t charge more than $200 to $595, and several have no discovery fee. However, TRA offers a money-back guarantee during the investigation phase to reduce your risk.
If you proceed to resolution, our research indicates you could pay between $2,500 and $5,000, depending on case complexity. Some competitors charge up to $15,000, making TRA’s price range look more reasonable.
Tax Relief Advocates (TRA) [is] effective for mid‑sized debts and clients who value hands‑on communication. They’re known for keeping taxpayers updated and guiding them through each step. Pick TRA if you value close communication and mid‑range case handling.
Venkat Godavarisenior tax specialistParikh Financial
TRA doesn’t publicly advertise payment plans, hardship discounts, or pricing guarantees, though a follow-up email from our sales representative indicates that the company offers financing options.
User Experience
TRA’s main website clearly explains the consultation, investigation, and resolution phases and the benefits of tax relief services, but it doesn’t provide a detailed breakdown of services or pricing.
To learn about pricing, you’ll need to request a free consultation, which is standard in the industry but can be frustrating if you prefer to research everything online. You can fill out an online form or call the Tax Relief Advocates phone number.
TRA almost immediately texted us to schedule a consultation, then followed up with an email and a phone call.
We received multiple follow-up calls from different numbers over the next few days, including once after emailing the representative to opt out. We recommend booking a consultation only if you’re ready to speak with TRA immediately and don’t mind several follow-up attempts.
If you decide to work with TRA, you won’t have access to an online dashboard, which some competitors offer for uploading documents or monitoring your case. Unlike CommunityTax and Optima Tax Relief, TRA also currently offers no mobile app. Expect to manage your case and interact with staff by phone.
Customer Service & Support
Contacting TRA
TRA primarily provides support by phone, with live representatives available Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. This wide availability is notable since many competitors don’t offer weekend support or evening hours.
Like most other tax relief companies, TRA doesn’t offer online chat support, but anybody can email the company. Those who have already connected with TRA can also get help via text message, which we learned from requesting a consultation.
When testing TRA’s support channels, we found the company very responsive. We connected with a representative almost immediately after calling the Tax Relief Advocates phone number. We also received a reply to our email the same day, though the employee asked for a number to call us back.
TRA connects with you quickly, which is great when you’re ready to get started. However, if you like to shop around and ask questions before committing to a phone call or consultation, you might find TRA’s focus on phone support less appealing.
Physical Address
16808 Armstrong Ave.
Irvine, CA 92606
Contact Details
Email: contact@tra.com
Phone: 800-388-3664
Customer Testimonials
Tax Relief Advocates reviews on Google, Trustpilot, and the BBB are generally positive. Customers frequently mention being satisfied with the company’s expertise, personalized support, and quick, clear responses to their questions.
One customer’s BBB review stated that the TRA representative they spoke with “was knowledgeable, responsive, and made a stressful tax situation much easier to handle.”
One-star reviews mention longer-than-expected resolution times, reassigned representatives, and dissatisfaction with outcomes, including some customers reporting extra penalties and interest.
While TRA makes an effort to respond to negative reviews on the BBB and Google, we didn’t see responses on Trustpilot.
Methodology: How We Review Tax Relief Services
When reviewing and scoring tax relief companies, we assess how the provider performs compared to competitors and industry standards on a scale from 1 to 10 based on these five categories:
- Reputation: We considered the company’s years in business, BBB accreditation grade, customer review platform scores, and other available reputation data.
- Scope of services: We considered state availability and the range of services available, including debt resolution, collections defense and penalty abatement, audit representation, and corrections.
- Cost: We assessed the company’s fee structure (flat, hourly, or hybrid), price ranges, and incentives and discounts.
- User experience: We looked at how easy it is to find key information on the provider’s website, book a consultation, and use other tools, such as mobile apps and customer portals.
- Customer service and support: We evaluated the provider’s support channels and analyzed customer reviews on popular platforms, including Google, Trustpilot, and the BBB.
How Does TRA Compare to Other Services?
Here’s how TRA stacks up against two competing tax relief companies:
| TRA | TaxRise | Optima Tax Relief |
Minimum debt | $5,000 | $10,000 | $7,500 |
Free consultation? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Money-back guarantee? | For the investigation phase | For the resolution phase | 14 days |
Pricing model | Flat | Hybrid | Flat |
Debt resolution services? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Penalty relief? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Filing & correction services? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Audit defense? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Optima Tax Relief
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Santa Ana, California, Optima Tax Relief helps individuals and businesses nationwide with federal and state tax issues.
Like TRA, it uses a flat pricing model and offers a full range of services, including debt resolution, audit defense, filing and correction services, and collections defense. It has an A rating from the BBB and has resolved over $3 billion in tax debt.
TaxRise
Based in Irvine, California, TaxRise has offered tax relief services nationwide since 2017 and holds an A+ BBB rating. It assists individuals and businesses with state and federal tax matters, including resolving tax debt, providing audit representation, dealing with collections, and filing and correcting tax returns.
TaxRise has a hybrid pricing model and offers a 100% money-back guarantee during the resolution phase.
Every firm's expertise, type of work they do, timing, scope, [and] client acceptance is different. Talk to a few, see which one is a better fit for your specific needs. Ask your accountant or CPA for a referral in their network.
Armine AlajianCPA and founderThe Alajian Group, Inc.
Final Take: Who Is TRA Best for?
TRA suits those with mid-range tax debt or complex cases that want frequent direct contact with their service provider. Its diverse offerings make TRA useful whether you need IRS representation, a more affordable tax debt payment plan, assistance with collections, or tax filing services. Additionally, its flat pricing structure, responsive phone support, many positive customer reviews, and nationwide availability help TRA stand out.
However, you might look elsewhere if you value the lowest discovery fees, a shorter resolution timeline, or online transparency about pricing. Other firms also offer additional digital services, such as online chat support, a mobile app, or an online dashboard. Consider your tax issue and the pros and cons of several companies to find the right option.
We can help you better understand your choices with our additional, hands-on tax relief company reviews.
FAQs: Tax Relief Advocates (TRA)
Is Tax Relief Advocates Legit?
TRA is a legitimate company that has operated since 2017 and holds BBB accreditation with an A+ rating. Past customers have written thousands of reviews on Tax Relief Advocates, many praising the company for resolving their tax issues.
How Much Does Tax Relief Advocates Cost?
TRA typically charges $595 to $795 for the initial investigation and $2,500 to $5,000 for resolution. Since complexity affects pricing, you’ll need a free consultation for a specific estimate.
Can Tax Relief Advocates Really Help?
TRA might help negotiate your tax debt, file or correct past returns, address liens or levies, represent you in audits, and handle other tax relief tasks. You’ll need to discuss your situation with the company to know whether it can help you. For simple tax relief issues, you might be able to settle with the IRS yourself.
