Quick Answer: Tax Hardship Center is a for-profit tax relief company that employs licensed tax attorneys, CPAs, and IRS enrolled agents.
Before You Read This: I’m not rendering a verdict on Tax Hardship Center. This is a research guide — my job is to point you to the right places to look, not to tell you what to think.
If you have concerns or experiences to share, post them in the comments below. Evaluating their contract? Use my free Contract Decoder tool.
If you represent Tax Hardship Center and something here is factually inaccurate, contact me promptly and I’ll review it.
Inside information? Post it publicly with your name attached.
The most valuable thing here may be the comments below. Read them and add your own.
Who Is Tax Hardship Center?
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 company before you hand over money or personal information.
Tax Hardship Center is a for-profit tax relief company based in Westlake Village, California. Rather than repeat what they say about themselves, I’d encourage you to read their website directly.
Step 1: Check Their Credentials
- BBB Profile: Better Business Bureau profile — look at the rating, complaint history, and how the company responds to complaints.
- Licensed Tax Professionals: Verify that the attorneys, CPAs, and IRS enrolled agents they employ hold active, verifiable licenses. You can verify attorney licenses through the California State Bar and CPA licenses through the California Board of Accountancy.
- IRS Enrolled Agents: The IRS maintains a Return Preparer Office directory where you can verify enrolled agent credentials by name.
- ASTPS Membership: Check the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers directory — professional membership is a positive signal for tax resolution firms.
- State Licensing: Some states require tax relief companies to be bonded or registered. Verify compliance with your state’s consumer protection office before engaging any firm.
A Note on BBB Grades: The letter grade is less meaningful than the actual complaint text. Click into the complaints, read what consumers said, and look at how — or whether — the company responded. Also look at the timing — are complaints clustered around a specific period?
Step 2: Check Consumer Complaints
Search Tax Hardship Center’s complaint history in the CFPB database →
- What types of complaints have been filed?
- How did the company respond — or did it?
- Are there recurring patterns across multiple complaints?
- How does the complaint volume compare to the company’s size?
Step 3: Read Their Trustpilot Reviews
Find Tax Hardship Center’s Trustpilot reviews here. A few things to look for:
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- Are the 5-star reviews about the enrollment process or actual tax resolution outcomes?
- The 2- and 3-star reviews tend to be the most honest and detailed
- How does the company respond to negative reviews — defensively or helpfully?
- Watch for sudden influxes of reviews — that can indicate solicitation campaigns
Step 4: Check Their Legal and Enforcement History
- CFPB: CFPB enforcement actions — search for the company name
- FTC: FTC cases and proceedings — the FTC has brought numerous actions against tax relief companies over the years
- State AG: Search “[company name] attorney general settlement” for California and any state where you reside
- PACER: Federal court records — search for civil cases involving the company
- IRS Office of Professional Responsibility: OPR disciplinary proceedings — check for sanctions against enrolled agents or attorneys employed by the firm
Context Matters: An enforcement action or complaint doesn’t automatically disqualify a company. What matters is what it was for, when it happened, and whether the behavior continued afterward.
Step 5: Ask the Right Questions Before You Sign
Before signing anything: Run the contract through my Contract Decoder tool — it flags terms worth questioning.
- What is the total fee — including upfront retainer, monthly fees, and any success-based components?
- Which specific IRS programs or resolution strategies are you recommending for my situation?
- Who exactly will be handling my case — a licensed attorney, CPA, or enrolled agent?
- What happens if the IRS rejects the resolution approach you propose?
- How long does a case like mine typically take to resolve?
- What is your written refund policy if my case is not resolved?
Before You Commit: Use my Find Your Path tool to see whether professional tax resolution help is actually the right option — or whether you could navigate the IRS Fresh Start program yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Verify professional credentials — licensed attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents — before anything else
- CFPB complaints: look for patterns, not just total numbers
- Trustpilot: the 2- and 3-star reviews are your most honest data points
- Check FTC, state AG, and PACER for any enforcement history
- Get every fee, timeline, and guarantee in writing before signing
- Read the comments below — real consumer experiences matter most
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 Tax Hardship Center a nonprofit?
No. Tax Hardship Center LLC is a for-profit company. They charge fees for their tax relief services.
How do I file a complaint against Tax Hardship Center?
File with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint, your state attorney general’s office, and the BBB. Document all your interactions in writing first — a clear paper trail makes any complaint more actionable.
Is Tax Hardship Center accredited?
Check their current BBB accreditation status directly at the BBB’s profile page. Also independently verify that any tax attorneys or enrolled agents handling your case hold active licenses with their respective credentialing authorities.
What does Tax Hardship Center do?
Tax Hardship Center is a tax relief company that helps people with IRS or state tax debt. Services typically include offers in compromise, installment agreement negotiation, penalty abatement requests, tax lien removal, and wage garnishment release on behalf of their clients.
Free Tool — Wage Garnishment Calculator: Worried about your paycheck being seized? The free Wage Garnishment Calculator shows exactly how much creditors can legally take in your state — and some states prohibit garnishment entirely. Calculate My Risk →
Should I use Tax Hardship Center?
That depends on your specific tax situation. Use my Find Your Path tool first — it will help you think through whether professional tax resolution help is the right fit or whether you can negotiate with the IRS directly.
Share Your Experience with Tax Hardship Center
Have you worked with Tax Hardship Center? Your experience — good, bad, or somewhere in between — helps other people make more informed decisions. Share it in the comments.
To share your experience: Scroll to the bottom of this page — the comments box is waiting for you 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.
