Best Tax Relief in Santa Barbara, CA

What is tax relief?

Santa Barbara residents that don’t properly report their earnings or fail to pay their taxes wind up in debt to the IRS. Back taxes, unpaid taxes a citizen owes the IRS, are a serious issue, and California taxpayers need to deal with them proactively.

As scary as the organization seems, the IRS does want to work with people in Santa Barbara to help them pay off their back taxes. There are numerous IRS tax resolution programs available to make repayment easier, such as:

• Innocent-spouse relief
• Penalty abatement
• Installment agreements

However, some people in Santa Barbara have difficulty navigating these programs on their own.

If you owe back taxes of $10,000 or more, consider hiring a tax relief company in Santa Barbara to guide you through these programs. Professional tax resolution services help you manage your debt and even negotiate with the government to reach a settlement.

People in Santa Barbara that will likely never pay off their entire tax debt should pursue an IRS offer in compromise. Only a fraction of Americans qualify for this program, but this settlement lets you pay off your tax debt for less than you originally owed. Check with your tax relief company to see if you qualify for an OIC.

How much does tax relief cost?

The price of tax relief in Santa Barbara ranges between $2,000 and $10,000 depending on the complexity of your case and the size of your debt. The average tax relief case costs between $3,000 and $4,000, but more complex cases with extended back taxes cost $5,000 to $7,000.

For instance, the average price for arranging an installment plan with the IRS in Santa Barbara is $2,500 - $3,500, but an offer in compromise costs between $4,000 and $7,000. Some companies charge an hourly rate of $200 - $500. During your initial consultation, a tax relief company evaluates your debts to give you a more specific estimate for their services.

Almost all tax relief companies have different payment structures but expect to pay either upfront or in monthly installments.

How long does tax relief take

Tax relief in Santa Barbara usually takes several months, but some services can be completed in as little as a few days.

Once you’ve finished with your tax relief company in Santa Barbara, you’ll still have to pay the remainder of your tax debt. IRS repayment plans vary, but a long-term payment plan allows taxpayers to pay off their debt over several years, depending on the amount owed.

Ask prospective tax relief companies how long they think your case will take and compare their answers. Be aware that one company giving a substantially quicker quote is more likely to be a scam than legitimately faster than their competitors in Santa Barbara.

Tax relief scams

It’s important to be wary of tax debt relief scams in Santa Barbara. Some tax relief companies:

• Charge non-refundable fees regardless of whether they relieve your tax debt or not
• Neglect to file the proper paperwork with the IRS
• Charge unauthorized fees

Beware of companies that promise to eliminate your tax debt, guarantee debt forgiveness or disregard your financial background. Anything that sounds too good to be true probably is.

Keep reading to find the best tax relief companies in Santa Barbara based on their reputations and customer reviews.