Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Optima Tax Relief's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  Optima Tax Relief

  6 Hutton Centre Dr Ste 300 Santa Ana, CA 92707

  
• 

  Optima Tax Relief

  5530 W Chandler Blvd Scottsdale, AZ 85266

  
• 

  Optima Tax Relief

  450 N 54th St Chandler, AZ 85226-2528

  

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/18/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I reached out to optima tax relief looking for assist with my tax issue. I was told that if I decide not to move forward with this program I could cancel anytime. I canceled ahead of any scheduled time and requested a cancellation email from the employer ******* ******. Today I wake up to 495 dollars taken out of my account from **********************. When I spoke with ******* he stated that the request was submitted correctly and that he will reach out to accounting to return payment by noon. Noon came around but I wasnt refunded at all. I was told that a supervisor would call me but they never did. I called the main line and was told the proper department is not available right now. I then asked when am I suppose to receive my Monday back and no one could give me any clear answer.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/23/2024

  At Optima Tax we strive to uphold the philosophy that clients come first and all of our representatives go through rigorous training to assure we abide by that philosophy. We take all complaints very seriously, and we do our best to turn them around when possible. We are reviewing the clients file and will soon reach out to the client to address their concerns. 
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/15/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Optima is fraudulently reporting themselves as my power of attorney. They've received notices on my behalf, yet the haven't forwarded anything to me. As a result my payment arrangement with the *** was terminated. I don't know this company, or why they are using my information.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/17/2024

  This client is scheduled to speak with Optima Tax on October 22. We look forward to speaking with the client in hopes to address their concerns and reach a mutual agreement. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/17/2024

  Matter is not resolved. 

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/28/2024

  Optima Tax regrets that we were unable to reach a mutually agreeable resolution in this matter.  Our courtesy offer will remain on the table should the client wish to accept. 
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/15/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I called seeking professional assistance amending a tax return. I was told that I was in need of their services so that I wouldnt have my wages garnished or my home repossessed. Turns out I only needed to amend my tax returns which turned out to be free of charge using turbo tax. I was misled into thinking I needed these services which cost ***** and they will no honor a return. What a waste and complete fraud. They are using lies and scare tactics to gain clients and will completely ignore any complaints against them. Will be seeking defense against such a corrupt business.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/17/2024

  Optima Tax regrets that we were unable to reach a mutually agreeable resolution in this matter.  Our courtesy offer will remain on the table should the client wish to accept. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/17/2024

  For services not provided a 12% refund is not acceptable. The problem is the service I was requesting is something they do not do as a company. I basically ordered a pizza from a burger joint and was told yes we make pizza only to find out after paying them that they indeed do not make pizza! Thats a scam! 100% I needed professional help amending a tax return NOT debt forgiveness! This was a lie from the beginning and I would have caught on sooner if it wasnt for the predatory way of delayed communication! They wouldnt respond for months at a time!  This company lacks integrity and will knowingly resort to stealing, preying on peoples lack of knowledge regarding taxes. Under the guise of a tax relief company they paint themselves to be knowledgeable and trustworthy but ultimately charged me MORE than what I owed the ******* So much for relief! They should be called optima tax grief! Greed is what is keeping this company from making right such a simple misunderstanding. Whats worse is how they will continue to take advantage of people in vulnerable situations for many more years to come! 

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/01/2024

  Optima Tax has reached out to the client upon receiving the complaint and made good-faith attempts to reach a mutual agreement. Unfortunately, we were not able to come to an agreement with the client.   Although it is not typical for us to offer refunds outside of our cancellation period, a generous courtesy refund was offered.  Our courtesy offer will remain on the table should the client wish to accept.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/12/2024

  The amount in which Optima Tax relief has offered for a refund is minuscule compared to the amount of which they charged for a service they do not ultimately provide. Anything less than 50 percent is just unacceptable and will not be considered efficient due to such egregious contractual terms. Optima Tax relief does not deny the fact that they do not provide such said services or that they were aware of the fact I never requested any other additional services besides the one in which they do not offer. No resolve has taken place because in no way shape or form could optima deliver on the verbal promise they made to me to assist in amending a tax return. Optima has shown no remorse for their predatory and misleading practices. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/15/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  In February of 2024 I hired Optima Tax Relief to help me to settle my past due tax account with the ************* ***. The representative informed my that they have a 2 step process but the first step in the process is the investigation, which I paid $295.00. After the investigation is complete they inform you of how much they will charge to bring the account current with the *** and that amount was $7,610.00 which does not include the $295.00 investigation fee. I agreed and began to make payments with my first payment being $1,514.20 on March 22nd, 2024. Since then I have been making payments to Optima to the total amount of $3,719.69 not including the investigation fee. My issue is that since then I have still been receiving collection documents from the *** and my status past due tax status with the *** has not changed. It is obvious that there is no work being performed on my behalf although I am being charged and have paid more almost half of the amount charged for the service. I have also attempted several times to contact Optima regarding my account but the only time that I can get a representative to contact me is when I miss a scheduled payment. I have asked Optima several time to close the account and refund the resolution payments totaling $3,719.69.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/17/2024

  We are scheduled to speak with the Client on October 21. We are looking forward to addressing the concerns stated in their complaints in good faith effort to reach a mutual agreement. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/17/2024

  I tried numerous times to contact Optima Tax Relief about my disappointment regarding the service provided or better yet lack thereof but could not speak to anyone. It was not until I wanted to cancel the service is when I was finally contacted. At this point the trust as a customer is gone and I just want my money back for services not rendered, there is nothing more to discuss. I didn't get the service I was paying for therefore I do not trust that it will be provided in the future. Please just refund my money so that I can find a company that can actually help me with my tax issues with the IRS.

   

  Thank you

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/23/2024

  Optima ************** immediately reached out to the client to address the concerns stated in their complaint and are happy to report that we have come to a mutual agreement. Although it is not typical for us to offer refunds outside of our cancellation period, a generous courtesy refund was offered.  The client has accepted our offer. 
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/31/2024

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
  
  Regards,
  
  ******** *******
  
   
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/15/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I hired them on October 16, 2023 and have paid them over $16,000.00 to help resolve my tax issues with the ***. They have not got a resolution with the *** yet and my 2023 tax returns are due today and I have called for 3 straight days asking where they are and keep getting told they are behind and working on them. I could have contacted the *** myself and used the money I paid them to pay the *** but they assured me they could get my tax debt resolved for me. They give you the run around when you call and you can never speak to anyone other than a secretary or receptionist about your case. I still have not got a resolution with the *** and I am now frustrated because my taxes are due today and I am waiting on them to get them done.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/17/2024

  Optima ************** will reach out to the client to address the concerns stated in their complaint. Optima Tax will continue to reach out to the client and will maintain open lines of communication until a mutual agreement is reached. 
  
  At Optima Tax we strive to uphold the philosophy that clients come first and all of our representatives go through rigorous training to assure we abide by that philosophy. We take all complaints very seriously, and we do our best to turn them around when possible. 
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/17/2024

  The company did reach out and my 2023 Taxes did get filed on time, but I am still waiting on a satisfactory resolution to my tax debt that I have paid over $16,000.00 to Optima Tax Relief to get done.    I think $16,000.00 is excessive for the services that have actually been provided.   

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/24/2024

  Optima ************** immediately reached out to the client to address the concerns stated in their complaint and are happy to report that we have come to a mutual agreement.  
   At this time, we will be moving forward to continuing services on the clients account as outlined in our contract.  The client has been directed that our ********************** team is standing by to assist should issues arise in the future. 
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/31/2024

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
  
  Regards,
  
  ******* *********
  
   
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/14/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I HIRED THEM TO PREPARE MY PERSONAL AND CORPORATE TAX RETURNS AND WORK WITH THE *** ON FEE RESOLUTION.. IT HAS NEARLY BEEN A YEAR AND IT HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED. THE DEADLNE FOR EXTENSIONS HAS PASSED. I HAVE BEEN TRYING DAILY BY EMAIL AND PHONE TO REACH *** ***** MY CONSULTANT. HE NEVER RETURNS ANY PHONE CALL OR EMAILS. I AM DESPERATE TO GET THIS COMPLETED. I HAVE TRIED TO CALL OPTIMA ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND CAN NEVER REACH ANYONE. I HAVE PAID THEM $7000 AND HAVE RECEIVED NOTHING NO SERVICES IN THE MEANTIME.SOME ONE PLEASE HELP ME!!! I

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/17/2024

  At Optima Tax we strive to uphold the philosophy that clients come first and all of our representatives go through rigorous training to assure we abide by that philosophy. We take all complaints very seriously, and we do our best to turn them around when possible. We are reviewing the clients file and will soon reach out to the client to address their concerns

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/29/2024

  I spoke to two different people last week who said they would look into it. The last person I spoke to was this past Friday afternoon who said she would get back in touch with me on Monday. It is now Wednesday. I still have not heard back from anybody.They are contradicting what they say they have and have not done. There are still no communication from them. What little work they did do they did it completely wrong. They admitted they did it wrong and Im trying to get them to correct it. I need help.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/04/2024

  Optima Tax has reached out  to the client and will keep open lines of communication until a mutual agreement is reached. 
  
  At Optima Tax we strive to uphold the philosophy that clients come first and all of our representatives go through rigorous training to assure we abide by that philosophy. We take all complaints very seriously, and we do our best to turn them around when possible. Optima Tax will continue their efforts until this matter is resolved. Please do not hesitate to contact Optima Tax with any questions. Thank you. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/13/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Optima tax relief is the worst service of my life. I paid the full $13,000.00 up front to get the discounted price. About a month after that I discovered no one would ever come and sit with me and my documents to get this going the right way. This process does not work ONLINE only if you have the simplest tax condition. I would never knowingly taken service under this condition. Another bad feature is that during 80% of the process you have no proficient way to contact anyone. No one you need ever answers the phone. The employees mostly seem to be about the Jr. **** level. I had to teach one things about bank statements, and another to look at the bottom of the email to find attachments! Less than halve of my questions were ever answered.Optimas TV ads show people saving halve of their tax bill. My first offer after 8 months of waiting was almost exactly the same amount as the *** quoted my initial tax debt as $199,000.00. To that date 3 yrs later they accomplished 0. I went back to work and found they had ignored my statements about *** counting IRAs as distributed that were not. They responded many months later with a reduction refiled for 2019 taxes by about $11,000.00. As of a memo from *** taxpayer advocate a few months ago (5/15/2024) there was no IRS reduction at all. After discovering from the *** that *. **** called Optimas legal **** in March and left 3 messages to my legal Optima **** to which they never replied as of July I finally fired them. With help from *. ******** & R Block 2019 finally credited at ***. Optima cost me 170 hours of work & caused large pluses in interest & penalties. I want $38,000.00 in refund and reparations.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/17/2024

  Optima ************** will reach out to the client to address the concerns stated in their complaint.  Optima Tax will continue to reach out to the client and will maintain open lines of communication until a mutual agreement is reached. 
  
  At Optima Tax we strive to uphold the philosophy that clients come first and all of our representatives go through rigorous training to assure we abide by that philosophy. We take all complaints very seriously, and we do our best to turn them around when possible. 
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/12/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I first paid for services with Optima in 2021. I paid $10,995 in full. In March of 2024 I received a letter from the *** asking to set up an appointment with the revenue officer. I submitted the letter through my portal that holds all documents relating to my case to Optima. I received a call from the person assigned to my case and she told me that she would be contacting the revenue officer on my behalf to begin discussions on my case. During the first week of May 2024 I woke up to see that my bank account had been frozen and $1700 was seized. I received a Lien notice for my bank and also a Lien notice to garnish my wages. I called Optima tax to see if this was a normal thing to happen during the resolution process. I spoke with their front desk person and he told me that my case ***resentative tried to contact me about an upcoming appointment she had with the *** **. I was told that my *** from Optima called me on April 23, 2024. I did not remember getting the call, so I check my call history, and saw a missed call from Optima, but no voicemail was left, and my *** did not try to call me back, or contact me through email. My *** had multiple ways to get in contact with me. She called me later that day May 6, and I told her about what happened with my bank account, she informed me she had an appointment with the *** ** on April 14th to present my case, but she never told me. I told her what happened with my bank and she said "oh really, wow" Then she said she would call me back either in the next couple of days or in a couple of weeks. She never called again. After that I decided to work with another company. I was never informed that my *** had an appointment with the ** at the *** ahead of time. Instead it made me look like I was not willing to cooperate, which led to the *** Lien action. All could have been prevented if my *** would have called me back to keep me informed about what was going on with my case. I am disappointed in their lack of due diligence.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/17/2024

  At Optima Tax we strive to uphold the philosophy that clients come first and all of our representatives go through rigorous training to assure we abide by that philosophy. We take all complaints very seriously, and we do our best to turn them around when possible. We are reviewing the clients file and will soon reach out to the client to address their concerns. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/17/2024

  At this time, I do not feel comfortable with the response. I do appreciate hearing from the business, but I would like to know if I am eligible for a refund, and so far, I do not have an answer. I don't want to close this case as of yet, until I hear further from the business.  Thank you. 

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/25/2024

  Optima tax will reach out to the client to address the concerns stated in their complaint. At this time we have not yet managed to make contact. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/11/2024

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  With regards to Case I.D. *******, Im deeply concerned that Im now left in the lurch a second time. I contacted Optima Tax Relief, because I felt it was my best option for getting my tax issue resolved. ******** ******, very professionally after introducing me to the program informed me of the fees needed to have my case review / begin the document collections and the payment schedule (which ******* ****** made sure I stayed current. All fees and payments were PAID IN FULL. ***** ****** prepared my taxes. Nothing after that was done. I realized nothing was done, when I got the *** notification that I STILL owe my penalties for tax season ending 2021. Even though I paid for Optima *********** IN FULL, I GOT NO RESOLUTION. On March 14, 2024, I contacted ******** ****** who referred me to the **************** I called the *************** on the same date. I was told that it would be investigated, but same as before I have heard nothing. Optima Tax Relief got paid and I still have NO Resolution. I have until April 11th 2024 to get back with the ***. Why is my case (*******) not resolved? Why did I pick Optima Tax Relief just to pay them and get no resolution?

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/14/2024

  At Optima Tax we strive to uphold the philosophy that “clients come first” and all of our representatives go through rigorous training to assure we abide by that philosophy. We take all complaints very seriously, and we do our best to turn them around when possible. We are reviewing the client’s file and will soon reach out to the client to address their concerns

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/25/2025

  After multiple complaints to the BBB, Optima Tax Relief STILL has made NO EFFORT TO RESOLVE the case issue:  Account/Order/Tracking number:

  5285985

    A representative contacted me on 9/24/2024 by voicemail. I returned the call and got offered a refund so minimal that I laughed and refused. On 10/22/2024, I called and offered me only a few dollars more. I informed her that I didn't expect a full refund but I would never pay $2,000.00 for a tax return. I gave a dollar amount that I could live with and walk away, along with asking for a task list of what OptimaTax Relief did in my behalf. I was told that they don't provide itemize records of what they did for me but could send me their list of services that they provide. She said that she would take my dollar amount back to the company and send me the company's list of services. Now after over a month later, SILENCE, again I have gotten no response or information.

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/10/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  It has been since August 23, 2024 that I paid close to $495 and I am not getting an answer about my taxes. ***** ****, never told me that other people would be calling me and asking for my social security number for verification of who I am. I would not tell these different people my social security number. I told them I was dealing with one person named **** and I wanted to speak ***** only. Weeks passed, I left tons of voice messages and ***** would not respond. My call history log show so many calls made to ***** who never answered. ***** called one day and told me he was out of the country. It seems to me I could have gotten an email from Optima Tax Relief or ***** informing me of this. The different people calling me, never told me anything. The company is full of crooks down to the people who answered when I called this morning (10/10/24) on a different phone number. My personal phone number calls are automatically forwarded to ***** phone and he rarely answers. I demand a refund or I will be filing a lawsuit against Optima Tax Relief.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/14/2024

  At Optima Tax we strive to uphold the philosophy that “clients come first” and all of our representatives go through rigorous training to assure we abide by that philosophy. We take all complaints very seriously, and we do our best to turn them around when possible. We are reviewing the client’s file and will soon reach out to the client to address their concerns. The Client is scheduled to speak with us on October 18, 2024. We look forward to speaking with the client in hopes to reach a mutual agreement.