Direct Tax Relief vs 97tax for July 2025 | Best Tax Relief Companies

Item: Direct Tax Relief vs 97tax
Rating: 4
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Friday, July 11th

2025 Tax Relief Company Reviews

Direct Tax Relief

Can work with both the IRS and state tax agencies on your behalf
Serves both individuals and businesses
Free initial consultation
"A+” rated and accredited by the BBB
Member of ASTPS
95% success rate
In business since 2008

If you like the idea of knowing the names and faces behind your tax relief strategy, Direct Tax Relief is a company you should consider. They offer personalized help for most federal and state tax issues, and they've achieved a 95% success rate since 2008. Most clients say that working with DTR got them back on track financially, and that the company treated them with the utmost respect. We'd still like to see a bit more feedback and some advance disclosure of their fee structure, but overall Direct Tax Relief is a good option we can confidently recommend.

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97tax

Helps you complete and submit paperwork requesting state payment plans (limited locations), IRS installment agreements, and IRS penalty waiver letters
$129 flat fee (despite being advertised as $97)
Forms usually sent to you within 1 business day
"A-” rated and accredited by the BBB
In business since 2017

97tax is pretty limited in the tax relief options it offers. You can use this service to complete paperwork requesting a payment plan with the IRS or a handful of US state tax authorities; your documents will be filled out and sent with a postage-paid envelope, so that all you have to do is sign and send. However, the $97 flat fee that was the basis of the company's name has gone up to $129, and you're not getting much for that (especially when you could do it yourself for free). 97tax lacks most of the biggest strategies for getting you some tax relief, and so this service earns a lower rating from us.

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The 10 Best Tax Relief Companies

CuraDebt

Community Tax

Jackson Hewitt

Direct Tax Relief

ECG Tax Pros

Tax Relief Inc

97tax

Optima Tax Relief

Tax Defense Partners

Fidelity Tax Relief

Which Tax Relief Service is Right for You?

Tax relief is a way to reduce the amount of money you owe to the IRS or state tax agencies. This can be really helpful if you're facing financial difficulties and can't pay your full tax bill. There are different methods of tax relief, but one of the most well-known options is called an "offer in compromise."

An offer in compromise is an agreement between you and the IRS that allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. The IRS will look at your ability to pay, your income, your expenses, and your asset equity (things you own that have value, like a car or a house). If they think that the amount you're offering is the most they can reasonably expect to collect from you, they might accept your offer. This can be a huge relief if you're struggling to come up with the money to pay your taxes.

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Tax Relief Company FAQ

What is tax relief?

Tax relief is a means of reducing what you owe to the IRS and state in back taxes. Your debts can be negotiated and payment plans may be established to help you pay it in a more manageable amount and timeframe.

Do I qualify for tax relief?

You'll probably need to owe at least $10,000 in state and/or federal taxes to be eligible for tax relief. There usually aren't any other requirements.

Why should I use a tax relief service? Can't I do it all by myself?

You could work directly with the IRS to work out a 3-year payment plan, but that usually only applies if you've filed all of your previous years' tax returns and you owe less than $10,000 in taxes. Using a tax relief service eliminates the guesswork and walks you through the entire process from start to finish. Plus, you don't have the stress of meeting with the IRS: your representative at the tax relief company does all of that for you!

How much does it cost to get tax relief?

Most services offer a free initial consultation, to determine which of their plans (if any) are the right fit for your situation. Once you've chosen a tax relief strategy, the provider will probably charge up to 20% of what you saved in debt as a service fee, but that varies from one company to another.

What should I expect once I sign up for a tax relief service?

Your representative will go to work on your behalf, using a variety of methods to work with the IRS and state taxing authority. These may include Offer in Compromise, Penalty Abatements, Tax Lien Subordination and more. Some services will assign you a dedicated representative who will keep you updated on your case's progress.

How long will it take to see changes take effect?

As you'd expect, it depends on the complexity of your situation. However, a general rule of thumb is between two and six months for a tax relief plan to be fully executed.

Is there a guarantee?

Some tax relief services offer their customers a satisfaction guarantee - but it's often a very small window of time compared with how long it takes to see a significant change in your tax debts. It's a good idea to look at the reputation of any service you're considering, to see what previous clients have said about the effectiveness, and reliability of the programs offered.

Are tax relief companies legitimate?

Most of them are. It's not difficult to find tax relief partners that have been helping consumers for decades. That being said, there are opportunistic scammers who would like nothing more than to convince you that they're legit and then take your money without offering any tax relief whatsoever. You should research the provider before signing on the dotted line, which includes looking up their rating from the Better Business Bureau.

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Another option is setting up a payment plan, known as an installment agreement. If you can't pay all at once, the IRS might let you pay off your debt over time. You'll still need to pay interest and possibly penalties, but spreading the payments out can make it more manageable.

There's also something called penalty abatement. If you've been hit with penalties because you filed your taxes late or didn't pay on time, you might be able to get those penalties reduced or eliminated. The IRS could forgive penalties if you have a good reason for why you were late, like a serious illness or natural disaster.

State tax agencies often offer similar programs, so if you owe state taxes, it's worth checking to see what options are available. These agencies understand that life happens, and they may be willing to work with you to find a solution.

While it's possible to negotiate with the IRS or state tax agencies on your own, many people find it's better to hire a tax relief service or an attorney. Here's why. First, tax laws and IRS rules can be really complicated. A professional who knows these rules inside and out can guide you through the process and make sure you don't miss any important details.

Also, tax relief professionals are experienced in dealing with the IRS and state tax agencies. They know how to negotiate effectively and might be able to get you a better deal than you could on your own. And, of course, putting someone else between you and the IRS can not only keep the stress off your shoulders, but it also makes it less likely that you'll make a mistake that could delay your process or result in a denial of your paperwork.

Now that you're convinced that hiring a tax relief specialist is the way to go, which one should you pick? They're not all created equal, so here are some criteria you can use to make your choice:

Fees. Unfortunately, working with a tax relief service isn't free. But, the good news is that the best services will base their fees on a percentage of the amount that they've saved you, so you're still coming out on top. Make sure you're clear on what you'll pay later during your initial (no-cost) consultation.
Minimum debt requirements. Many services expect you to have at least $10,000 in tax debt to use their program. Others will accept clients with lower tax liabilities.
Services offered. Some tax relief programs only help you complete the basic application paperwork with the IRS, while others actively negotiate on your behalf. And, not every service works with both federal and state tax debt. Be sure that the one you choose can provide you with the help you need.
Reputation. What have other clients said about their overall experience with the tax relief service? Has it been worth what they've paid? Has it been easy to work with their assigned case managers? Above all, did it deliver the tax relief they were looking for?

Tax relief can be a lifeline if you're struggling with tax debt, so the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have done the research on today's top providers and ranked them from best to worst. Use this information to choose a service that fits your needs, and don't hesitate to reach out for an initial consultation. Good luck!