Quick Answer: TaxRise is a for-profit tax relief company. To evaluate whether they’re right for you, I’d encourage you to check their complaint history with the CFPB, read their BBB profile, and check their enforcement history. Here’s how to do each of those.
Before You Read This: I want to be upfront about what this page is and isn’t. I’m not a financial advisor, and I’m not rendering a verdict on TaxRise. This is a research guide — I’m showing you where to look so you can reach your own conclusions based on current information.
If you find something in the public record that concerns you, post it in the comments below. If you’re evaluating their contract, use my free Contract Decoder tool.
If you represent TaxRise and something here is inaccurate, contact me and I’ll review it promptly.
Every weekday I read the enforcement actions, filings and fine print the outlets skip, and turn them into the one or two moves that actually improve your position — a rate worth moving for, a fee you can refuse, a deadline to beat before it costs you.
In the latest issue (Sep 11): You drive to the dealership to pick up the car. There is no car. There was never a car.
I write Your Money Actually most weekdays — actionable money information you will not find anywhere else, and the small decisions that compound. It is free, I sell nothing, and I take no money from any company I write about.
If you have inside information you feel you need to share with me privately: don’t. Whatever you want to share should be posted in the comments — by you, with your name attached. I’m not willing to be anyone’s conduit for information they won’t stand behind themselves.
The most valuable thing on this page may not be what I’ve written — it’s the comments section below. People who’ve actually worked with TaxRise share their experiences there. I’d encourage you to read them and add your own.
Who Is TaxRise?
An educated consumer is our best customer.— Sy Syms
New here? My Ultimate Consumer Guide to Checking Out a Debt Relief Company walks through how to vet any debt relief company before you sign anything.
TaxRise is a for-profit tax relief company. Rather than repeat what they say about themselves here, I’d encourage you to read their own website and state business filings — that way you’re seeing it directly from primary sources, not filtered through me.
Step 1: Check Their Credentials
For a tax relief company, the key credentials and professional qualifications to look for include:
- Licensed professionals on staff: Tax relief work should be handled by Enrolled Agents (EAs), Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), or tax attorneys — ask who specifically will work on your case and verify their credentials at irs.gov/tax-professionals.
- ASTPS membership: The American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS) is a professional organization for practitioners who specialize in IRS and state tax resolution. Membership indicates professional commitment to the field.
- IRS Power of Attorney (Form 2848): Any company representing you before the IRS must file Form 2848 — ask specifically which licensed professional will sign it.
- BBB profile: Search the Better Business Bureau for their current accreditation status and the full text of complaints and responses.
- State bar or CPA board verification: If a company claims attorneys or CPAs on staff, you can verify their license through your state’s bar association or CPA licensing board.
A Note on BBB Grades: A high BBB grade doesn’t necessarily mean a company is right for you — it means they respond to complaints filed through the BBB. Read the actual complaint text and the company’s responses. That’s the useful part. See my full guide to what BBB letter grades actually mean →
Step 2: Check Consumer Complaints
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau maintains a public database of complaints filed against financial companies. You can search for TaxRise directly:
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Search TaxRise’s complaint history in the CFPB database →
Also search the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility for any disciplinary actions against enrolled agents associated with the company. When reviewing complaints, pay attention to:
- What the complaints are about — fees, program outcomes, communication problems, unfulfilled promises?
- How the company responded — did they resolve issues or just close them?
- Whether the same issue appears repeatedly — a pattern matters more than a single complaint
- Whether complaints mention up-front fees collected before any work was done on the case
Step 3: Read Their Reviews
Search Trustpilot for TaxRise reviews. A few things to keep in mind as you read:
How to read Trustpilot like a pro: My complete guide to spotting red flags in Trustpilot reviews breaks down exactly what to look for — including how to identify review solicitation campaigns and reputation management tactics.
- Pay attention to what 5-star reviews are actually about — responsiveness is not the same as resolution
- Read the 2- and 3-star reviews carefully — these tend to be most honest about outcomes
- Look at how the company responds to negative reviews
- Check review dates — a concentrated burst of 5-star reviews can indicate a solicitation campaign
Step 4: Check Their Legal and Enforcement History
Tax relief companies are subject to enforcement actions from multiple agencies. Here’s where to look:
- CFPB Enforcement Actions: Search the CFPB’s enforcement action database for the company name
- FTC Actions: The FTC publishes all enforcement cases — the FTC has taken action against fraudulent tax relief companies in the past
- State Attorney General: Search “TaxRise attorney general” or “TaxRise settlement” — state AGs often investigate tax relief fraud
- PACER (Federal Court Records): PACER allows you to search federal court cases by party name
Context Matters: A company that has faced enforcement action isn’t automatically disqualified — what matters is what the action was for, whether they resolved it, and whether the behavior continued.
Step 5: Ask the Right Questions Before You Commit
Before signing anything: Run their contract through my free Contract Decoder tool. Paste it in and get a plain-English breakdown of what you’re agreeing to.
Before you commit to any tax relief program, get clear answers — in writing — to these questions:
- What specific licensed professional (EA, CPA, or attorney) will represent me before the IRS, and can I verify their license?
- What IRS resolution programs am I likely to qualify for, and what is your assessment based on?
- What is your total fee structure, and when are fees due — before or after results?
- What is your cancellation and refund policy if I’m not satisfied or the program doesn’t produce results?
- How do you handle communication with me and with the IRS throughout the process?
- What happens if the IRS rejects the proposed resolution — do you continue the case at no additional charge?
Before You Commit: Run your situation through my Find Your Path tool to see what approach makes sense for your specific situation.
Key Takeaways
- TaxRise is a for-profit tax relief company — they represent clients in negotiations with the IRS and state tax agencies.
- Any company representing you before the IRS must have licensed professionals — Enrolled Agents, CPAs, or tax attorneys — and must file Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) on your behalf.
- Verify the specific professional working your case directly through the IRS at irs.gov/tax-professionals — not just the company’s marketing materials.
- The FTC has taken enforcement action against fraudulent tax relief companies — search their enforcement database as part of your research.
- Many tax issues can be resolved directly with the IRS at no cost through programs like installment agreements and Currently Not Collectible status — know your options before paying a third party.
- Get the fee structure, scope of work, and cancellation policy in writing before signing anything.
Want the full research playbook? My Ultimate Consumer Guide to Checking Out a Debt Relief Company covers every tool and source in this guide — plus detailed walkthroughs for reading BBB profiles, spotting Trustpilot red flags, and searching federal court records on CourtListener.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TaxRise a legitimate company?
TaxRise is a registered, for-profit company offering tax relief services. Whether they are the right company to work with in your specific situation is something you should evaluate by reviewing their complaint history, credentials of the professionals on staff, and any enforcement actions on record — links to all of those are in the steps above.
How do I file a complaint against TaxRise?
You can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov/complaint, with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and with your state’s Attorney General office. You can also file a complaint with the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility if you believe a licensed professional acted improperly.
Is TaxRise accredited or licensed?
Tax relief companies rely on the licenses of the professionals they employ — Enrolled Agents (licensed by the IRS), CPAs (licensed by state boards), and attorneys (licensed by state bars). Ask specifically which licensed professional will handle your case and verify their individual credentials through the relevant licensing authority.
What is tax relief and how does it work?
Tax relief refers to programs and strategies for resolving tax debt with the IRS or state tax agencies. These include installment agreements, Offers in Compromise (settling for less than owed), Currently Not Collectible status, penalty abatement, and innocent spouse relief. Many of these programs can be applied for directly through the IRS — a third-party company is not required.
Should I use TaxRise for my tax problem?
That depends on the complexity of your situation and whether you’re comfortable navigating IRS programs on your own. Many straightforward tax debt situations can be resolved directly through the IRS website. If your situation is complex, I’d encourage you to compare the cost of hiring a company versus working directly with an independent Enrolled Agent or CPA, and use my Find Your Path tool to think through your options.
Share Your Experience with TaxRise
If you’ve worked with TaxRise — as a client, a former employee, or someone who looked into them and decided not to proceed — I’d encourage you to share your experience in the comments. Your perspective helps others make a more informed decision.
To share your experience: Scroll to the bottom of this page — the comments box is there.
Before You Sign Anything: Run any debt relief contract through the free Contract Decoder to spot hidden fees and unfair terms. Check the company’s complaint history with the Scam-O-Meter.
Compare Your Real Options: Most debt relief companies won’t tell you about all your options — especially the ones they can’t profit from. Credit counseling has a 21-27% completion rate. Settlement resolves about 1% of enrolled debts fully. Bankruptcy has a 95% discharge rate — and protects your retirement. Take the Find Your Path quiz for a recommendation based on your actual numbers.
Browse all Tax Resolution Companies reviews, or see the full Company Reviews directory.
There are a lot of FTC investigation allegations of Tax Rise. Check Reddit