What Should I Know After Signing Up with Tax Rise?

IRS Issues
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What Should I Do After Signing Up with Tax Rise and Realizing It Might Be a Scam?

I signed up with Tax Rise today after receiving numerous calls for months. I owe the IRS around $50-60k, along with medical insurance subsidies and possibly SNAP benefits. I initially sought information on Fresh Start help but hesitated due to constant calls from various companies. One company that kept calling finally got me to agree to a $375 retainer, sign a contract, and submit personal information and bank statements. After researching, I realized this might not be the reputable company I thought it was and found mixed reviews with many warning signs of a scam. Should I cut ties and try to get my money back, or is there another course of action? Any advice would be appreciated.

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Read the contract carefully and cancel the engagement if necessary. Be vigilant for any automatic charges from your card or bank account.

Avoid companies advertising “the new IRS Fresh Start program,” as it’s not new and has been around for decades. Instead, seek out a local, experienced, and credentialed tax professional.

You should consult a credentialed tax professional, such as a CPA, Enrolled Agent (EA), or attorney. These professionals undergo additional oversight, testing, and continuous education to stay updated on tax laws, rulings, and regulations.

Any credentialed tax professional should be able to assist you. The IRS provides a searchable directory of qualified tax professionals by city, state, ZIP code, or country.

CPAs are accounting specialists with expertise in tax matters and are highly valuable, particularly for business owners and high earners.

Attorneys specialize in legal matters, often focusing on estates, trusts, and high-net-worth individuals.

EAs are tax specialists who might come from accounting, bookkeeping, or financial planning backgrounds, with a primary focus on tax and tax law.

All of these professionals can represent you before the IRS. You might also find help through services that connect you with tax resolution experts, such as TaxCure, or through a Low Income Tax Clinic in your area.

Typically, pricing ranges from lowest to highest: EA → CPA → Attorney.

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Thanks for your response; I appreciate it. I now realize that I confused this company with another one I had researched before, which had a good reputation. The persistent robocalls from this company made me think they were a different, reputable firm that I had contacted before. I know it’s unusual for reputable firms to use robocalls frequently, which should have been a red flag. I was dealing with a lot, especially with my parent’s pre-dementia, and was just looking for some relief when I answered the call.

The representative I spoke with suggested using a credit card for the retainer payment, which I can now dispute. I’m reading through the contract and am unsure whether I should dispute the transaction first or notify them before taking that step. I’m currently in a doctor’s waiting room with my mom and can’t have a detailed conversation, but I want to resolve this quickly to avoid any further issues.

Thanks again for your help. I’ll review the contract and proceed with the cancellation first. I also received a voicemail from Anthem Services, a company I contacted after reading positive reviews here on Reddit. I appreciate any additional advice or fresh perspectives you can provide.

Edit: I re-read your advice about reviewing the contract and canceling the engagement first, so I’ll follow that plan before disputing the card payment. Thanks again.

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Did you manage to get a refund? Did you dispute the charges?

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Get your parent on extra-strength Prevagen as soon as possible. I’m 83, and it has helped me avoid the onset of dementia.