At a Glance
Rating Breakdown
Performance Overview
Scores out of 5, based on our editorial analysis
About Community Tax
Community Tax is a full-service tax relief company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 2010. With over 50,000 resolved cases and a BBB A+ rating, they are one of the three or four largest tax relief firms in the United States alongside Optima Tax Relief and Larson Tax Relief. The company employs tax attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents who handle IRS and state tax resolution, tax preparation, and bookkeeping services. Community Tax's reputation for customer service is their most consistent differentiator. Across 4,500+ reviews on Google and Trustpilot, the most frequent positive comments mention the responsiveness of their case managers and the clarity of their communication. In an industry where "we'll get back to you" can mean two weeks of silence, Community Tax has built internal processes around regular client updates and proactive outreach when case milestones occur. Their fee structure runs $3,500-$8,500 for most cases, which is in line with other large firms. They offer a 14-day money-back guarantee on the investigation phase (shorter than Anthem's broader guarantee but still better than no guarantee). Community Tax is one of the few firms that also provides ongoing bookkeeping and tax preparation services, which is useful for self-employed individuals who need help staying compliant after their tax debt is resolved.
Key Features
Dedicated Case Manager
Every client gets one primary contact who manages the case from start to finish. They proactively update you on milestones and respond to inquiries within one business day — that is their internal standard.
Full Professional Staff
Tax attorneys for legal issues, CPAs for accounting and preparation, enrolled agents for IRS representation. Whatever your case needs, they have the licensed professional to handle it.
Tax Preparation & Bookkeeping
Beyond resolution, they prepare tax returns and provide bookkeeping services. Useful if unfiled returns are part of your problem or if you need help staying compliant after resolution.
14-Day Money-Back Guarantee
If you are not satisfied within 14 days of the investigation phase, you get a refund. Shorter window than some competitors but still a safety net.
Free Tax Consultation
Initial case review is free. A licensed tax professional evaluates your situation and explains your options before you commit to anything.
How It Works
Free Consultation
A licensed tax professional reviews your IRS situation and explains your realistic options. No commitment required.
Investigation Phase
Community Tax pulls your IRS transcripts, reviews compliance history, and builds a full picture of your tax situation.
Resolution Strategy
Your case manager presents a plan — which IRS programs to pursue, estimated timeline, and what the outcome could look like.
Active Resolution
Tax professionals negotiate with the IRS on your behalf. Your case manager provides regular updates as the case progresses.
Case Closure
Your case resolves with an approved agreement. Community Tax can continue providing tax preparation and bookkeeping to keep you compliant.
What They Do
- IRS Negotiation
- Offer in Compromise
- Installment Agreements
- Penalty Abatement
- Wage Garnishment Release
- Tax Preparation
- Bookkeeping
- State Tax Resolution
- Audit Defense
Debt Types They Take On
- Federal Income Tax
- State Income Tax
- Payroll Tax
- Business Tax
- Back Taxes
- Tax Penalties
- Unfiled Returns
Fee & Cost Structure
Regulatory & Trust
Review Summary
Notable Case Studies
Small Business Owner with Payroll Tax Debt
Restaurant owner accumulated $92,000 in payroll tax debt (unpaid 941 taxes) over 6 quarters after revenue dropped during economic downturn. IRS had filed federal tax liens and was threatening to seize business assets. Personal liability exposure due to Trust Fund Recovery Penalty assessment.
Five Years of Unfiled Returns with IRS Notices
Self-employed consultant had not filed federal or state returns for 2019-2023. IRS had filed substitute returns showing $124,000 in federal tax liability. Client's actual liability was far lower due to substantial business deductions not captured in the substitute returns. Multiple IRS notices had escalated to a final notice of intent to levy.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- BBB A+ rating and 50,000+ resolved cases provide one of the strongest track records in the tax relief industry
- Customer service reputation is consistently cited in reviews — regular updates and responsive case managers are the norm rather than the exception
- Full professional staff (attorneys, CPAs, EAs) means any case complexity can be handled in-house
- Tax preparation and bookkeeping services provide continuity after resolution — important for self-employed clients who need ongoing compliance help
- 14-day money-back guarantee on the investigation phase
Cons
- Fees ($3,500-$8,500) are in line with major competitors but can be steep for smaller tax debts
- $10,000 minimum tax debt threshold excludes smaller balances
- 14-day guarantee window is shorter than some competitors and may not allow enough time to fully evaluate the investigation results
- High case volume means some clients report feeling like one of many rather than receiving individualized attention despite the case manager model
User Reviews (10)
communication was great
My case manager Jessica called me every 2 weeks with updates even when there was nothing new to report. Just knowing someone was on it and paying attention made the whole process less stressful. IRS debt went from $34k to $22k after penalty abatement.
solid firm
Nothing flashy but solid execution. My installment agreement was set up in about 5 weeks. Case manager was responsive. Fees were fair at $4,200 for a straightforward case.
payroll tax nightmare resolved
Owed $67k in payroll taxes for my business. IRS was threatening to shut us down. Community Tax attorney got us on a payment plan and removed $14k in penalties. Business is still running. That attorney saved my livelihood.
unfiled returns handled perfectly
Had 4 years of unfiled returns. Community Tax prepared all of them, reduced my IRS estimate by more than half, and set up a payment plan. Took about 4 months start to finish. Worth every dollar of the $7,200 I paid.
bookkeeping service is a nice add-on
After resolving my tax debt I signed up for their bookkeeping service. $200/month but it keeps me compliant and I never have to worry about unfiled returns again. Good continuity from the resolution team.
highly recommend
Highly recommend.
ok
ok
expected more from the investigation
Paid $1,200 for the investigation phase. Got back a report that said I qualified for an installment agreement. That is pretty obvious when you owe $18k and have a steady income. I expected more analysis for $1,200 — like whether penalty abatement was possible or if there were other angles. The resolution phase was fine but the investigation felt thin.
one of many
Despite the case manager model I sometimes felt like just another file on someone's desk. My case manager was handling a lot of clients and occasionally mixed up details about my case. Not a major issue but when you are paying $6,000 for personalized service you expect them to know your situation.
told me I was a great OIC candidate. DENIED.
The sales team told me I was an "excellent candidate" for an offer in compromise. Paid $7,500 total. OIC was DENIED. They said my income was too high even though I told them my salary on the first call. Now I am on a regular payment plan that costs nothing to set up through the IRS website. Seven thousand five hundred dollars WASTED. The sales team will say anything to get you to sign. The actual tax professionals are fine but by then you have already paid. ASK FOR A REALISTIC ASSESSMENT FROM A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL, NOT A SALESPERSON, BEFORE PAYING.
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Important Tax Relief Disclaimers
- Tax relief companies cannot guarantee specific outcomes with the IRS or state tax agencies. Results depend on your individual tax situation, compliance history, and the applicable tax laws.
- Tax relief services typically require upfront fees or retainer payments. These fees are separate from any taxes, penalties, or interest you owe to the IRS or state agencies.
- The IRS offers its own programs (installment agreements, offers in compromise, currently not collectible status) that you can apply for without hiring a tax relief company. The IRS does not charge application fees for most programs.
- An offer in compromise (OIC) is accepted by the IRS in approximately 30-40% of submissions. Tax relief companies that guarantee OIC acceptance are making claims they cannot support.
- Tax relief fees typically range from $3,000 to $10,000+ depending on the complexity of your case. Some companies charge investigation fees ($500-$2,000) before beginning resolution work.
- You have the right to represent yourself before the IRS. If you prefer professional representation, enrolled agents, CPAs, and tax attorneys are all authorized to represent taxpayers.
- Zogby does not provide tax relief services. We are an independent comparison service. We do not negotiate with the IRS or state tax agencies on your behalf.
This page is informational, not financial or legal advice. Talk to a qualified professional before making any big money decisions.
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