At a Glance
Rating Breakdown
Performance Overview
Scores out of 5, based on our editorial analysis
About Ideal Tax
Ideal Tax is a tax resolution company headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, founded in 2010. They have resolved over 15,000 IRS cases using enrolled agents and CPAs. The company focuses on the most common tax resolution needs: installment agreements, penalty abatement, currently not collectible status, and offer in compromise submissions. Ideal Tax occupies the middle of the tax relief market — not the cheapest, not the most expensive, not the smallest, not the largest. Their fees run $3,000-$7,000 for most cases, their track record is solid but not industry-leading, and their service model is competent without unique differentiators. For consumers who want a reliable tax relief firm without paying premium prices for attorney representation or the largest brands, Ideal Tax is a reasonable choice. The company holds a BBB A rating and is accredited by the NAEA (National Association of Enrolled Agents). Client reviews are generally positive, with most praise focusing on clear fee communication and follow-through on promised timelines.
Key Features
Clear Fee Structure
Ideal Tax quotes a specific total fee upfront rather than a range. You know exactly what the investigation and resolution will cost before committing.
Enrolled Agent & CPA Staff
Licensed tax professionals handle your case. No unlicensed salespeople managing IRS communication.
Penalty Abatement Focus
They put particular emphasis on identifying penalty abatement opportunities — first-time abatement, reasonable cause, and statutory exceptions that reduce your total IRS balance.
Free Consultation
Initial review of your tax situation is free. They will give you an honest assessment of your options.
State Tax Resolution
Handles state tax agency issues alongside federal IRS cases.
How It Works
Free Assessment
A tax professional reviews your IRS situation and gives you a clear picture of your options and estimated costs.
Investigation
Ideal Tax pulls your IRS transcripts and compliance history to build a complete case profile.
Strategy & Fee Quote
You receive a specific resolution strategy with a fixed total fee — not a range.
IRS Negotiation
Licensed professionals handle all IRS communication, submissions, and follow-up.
Resolution
Case concludes with an approved agreement. Guidance provided on maintaining future compliance.
What They Do
- IRS Negotiation
- Installment Agreements
- Penalty Abatement
- Offer in Compromise
- Currently Not Collectible
- Tax Preparation
- State Tax Resolution
Debt Types They Take On
- Federal Income Tax
- State Income Tax
- Back Taxes
- Tax Penalties
- Unfiled Returns
Fee & Cost Structure
Regulatory & Trust
Review Summary
Notable Case Studies
Penalty Abatement on Multi-Year Underpayment
Client owed $34,000 to the IRS — $22,000 in tax liability plus $12,000 in penalties and interest accumulated over 3 years of underpayment. The client had a clean compliance history prior to the underpayment period, which was triggered by a job transition with incorrect estimated tax payments.
Currently Not Collectible Status for Disabled Taxpayer
Client with $28,000 in IRS debt was living on $1,600/month disability income. Could not afford any installment payment. IRS was sending collection notices and threatening levy action.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Clear, fixed fee quotes rather than ranges — you know the total cost before committing
- Strong focus on penalty abatement, which can reduce IRS balances by 25-40% in cases with clean prior compliance history
- 15,000+ resolved cases provides a solid track record of IRS experience
- NAEA accreditation and BBB A rating indicate professional standards compliance
Cons
- No unique differentiator — competent execution of standard tax relief services without standout features
- BBB A (not A+) places them behind top-tier firms like Community Tax and Optima
- Does not offer bookkeeping or ongoing tax preparation as part of the resolution package
- $7,500 minimum may exclude some consumers with smaller tax debts
User Reviews (9)
penalty removed $9k from my balance
Owed $31k, $9k of which was penalties. Ideal Tax got the penalties removed through first-time abatement. Instantly owed $22k instead. Set up a payment plan for the rest. Best $4,000 I ever spent.
solid work
Nothing fancy. They pulled my transcripts, filed my back return, got me on a payment plan. Done in about 2 months. Exactly what I needed.
took longer than expected
Was told 4-6 weeks for an installment agreement. Took 10 weeks. IRS was slow, not Ideal Tax, but still — manage expectations better. The waiting is the hardest part when the IRS is breathing down your neck.
clear pricing
They quoted me $4,500 exactly. No surprises no add-ons. Every other company I called gave me a "$3,000 to $8,000" range which is useless for budgeting. Ideal Tax told me the number and stuck to it.
CNC status approved
On disability, could not pay my $22k IRS debt. Ideal Tax got me classified as currently not collectible. No more letters, no more threats. The statute keeps running so some of this may just expire. $3,500 well spent.
recommended
Recommended.
ok
ok
average
Average tax relief company with average results. Got me an installment agreement which is what I expected. Fees were fair. Cannot complain but also cannot rave.
sales said OIC, investigation said no
The sales guy said I had "a good shot" at an offer in compromise. Investigation came back saying I did not qualify and recommended an installment agreement instead. Paid $750 for the investigation to learn I should just set up a payment plan. That feels like a bait. The installment agreement process was fine but I felt misled from the start.
Write a Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Embed This Badge on Your Website
Ideal Tax has earned a Tax Resolution Firm designation from Zogby. Display this badge on your website to showcase your rating.
Paste this code anywhere in your website's HTML. The badge links back to your full Zogby review.
Related Companies
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.
Editorial Independence
We make money from some companies on this page. That doesn't change our rankings -- the editorial team scores every product independently, and the business side has no say in what we recommend.