Can “The Tax Group” (Formerly Innovative Tax Relief?) really help me if I owe IRS back taxes?

I’ve seen their ads; can The Tax Group really help me if I owe the IRS back taxes?  They may.  But will they? 

This post is a review for The Tax Group (Formerly Innovative Tax Relief?)The Tax Group does not meet irs back tax help criteria.  If you have questions about this post, please reference:  BP 73. 

When I began writing this it was originally to be titled “Can Innovative Tax Relief…” but I could not find a company website, so I called their phone number listed with the BBB.  The phone is answered by a message that says “Thank you for calling “The Tax Group”.  Additionally, it appears Associated Tax Relief; Los Angeles, CA is out of business which is good news for people who owe back taxes (payroll or income.)  Their reputation prior to shut down was horrible, so no reviews will be done on that tax resolution company.  If you are seeking recourse against that tax relief company, their BBB record has information.

• ~76% of all Offers in Compromise were rejected last year. 
• ~1% of “in-business” Offers in Compromise were accepted last year. 
• So be careful if someone is pushing you solely towards an IRS Offer in Compromise (IRS Form 656.)  It is a high risk tax debt solution.   

If you know you need to take action, read my article “IF” you should hire IRS back tax help.  (You should not automatically.) Titled “Owe IRS back taxes? When, who, and how do I hire IRS back tax help?” before you do anything else.

As usual, If you like the tone of this writing, I would like to compete for your business.  I can be reached at irsbacktaxhelp@gmail.com.  Before you email me, please click on and read “About irs back tax help.”

The Tax Group/Innovative Tax Relief Marketing Approach:

If you are treated politely, and The Tax Group’s salesperson is informative and helpful, that is a good sign.  On the flip side, if they say you need to hire them immediately!  No matter what!  And now! And they are insisting you complete their paperwork immediately.  Don’t.  I disagree with that notion.  You should not hire back tax help unless there is a good reason.  The real first question if back taxes are owed to the IRS, is not whom to hire, but “IF” you should hire anyone to help if you owe back taxes.  Let’s inject some common sense into the situation.  Read the link above, it will help you decide “IF” you actually need to hire IRS back tax help.  No one, including The Tax Group, should ask you for a credit card number or checking information the first time you call them. That is a telemarketing call center tactic to force your commitment. 

If you are dealing with the IRS or state about federal tax liens, IRS final notice of intent to levy, or bank levies, don’t hire the first company you call; especially if they are trying to pressure/intimidate you into doing that immediately!  High pressure sales tactics are being used for a reason. 

Instead, take control of this IRS tax problem on your terms.  Here’s how: (4 steps, 10 minutes)    

It is valid to be concerned about the IRS’ collection actions, and to take action yourself, but a knee jerk reaction could exacerbate tax problems down the road.  When the IRS or other tax authority goes into enforced collection mode, it’s worth taking a measured approach to fix the problem.  Handling a tax problem is something you want do right, once, the first time. 

STEP 1:  Before you call The Tax Group, Los Angeles, CA:

Before listening to a sales pitch, perform some due diligence as I have below.  It is the best and safest way to make a decision.  If The Tax Group’s sales people are not willing to wait for you to do the research, tell them you want some general information about the company and the name the person who will be representing you before you talk to them and then you will return their call.   If they refuse and become pushy, threatening, or obnoxious, that is a red flag.  

What happens when a Notice of Federal Tax Lien is filed? 

When an IRS tax lien (IRS Form 688 Notice of Federal Tax Lien) or state tax lien is filed with the county recorder, it becomes public record.  Then, a whole different type of company will call to help with the IRS back taxes.  You can learn about the Telemarketing tax relief companies here:

Tax Resolution Company reviews for fixing IRS Tax Problems

Research & Reviews for The Tax Group/Innovative Tax Relief, Los Angeles, CA

After doing homework on Google, The Tax Group’s addresses in Los Angeles, CA:

• Innovative Tax Relief, 11684 Ventura Blvd, Suite 476, Studio City, CA 91604
• The Tax Group, 3599 W. Cahuenga Blvd. 3rd Floor, Los Angeles,  CA 90068 (?)
• Various phone/fax:  (888) 333-4969
• Time in business for Innovative Tax Relief: ~7 years
• Time BBB accredited for Innovative Tax Relief:  Not Accredited

STEP 2:  The Tax Group/Innovative Tax Relief Review from the Los Angeles, CA, Better Business Bureau: 

The Tax Group BBB search

• Time in business for The Tax Group:  ?
• Time BBB accredited for The Tax Group:  ?
• A quick note:  When using the Better Business Bureau to research companies, it is probably best to use the BBB as a “de-selector” rather than a reason to hire someone.  The BBB solicits companies to become a member; so it is relatively easy to remain in good standing and keep an “A” letter grade.  The nature of the company is better seen by how many complaints they have accumulated over the last 3 years, which is the standard BBB reporting period.  A good rule of thumb is no more than one complaint per year, or three complaints total.  Size and age of a company are irrelevant.  It really boils down to how they treated their clients during the reporting period.  

• The Tax Group should have less than three complaints total.  There are plenty of tax resolution companies who meet this standard, so don’t settle for less.  If you’re having trouble finding a tax resolution company with 3 complaints or less, I’m happy to help.  I can be reached at irsbacktaxhelp@gmail.com.

STEP 3:  The  Tax Group Reviews and Innovative Tax Relief Reviews, Los Angeles, CA on Google:

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=the+tax+group+complaints

• There are other companies called “The Tax Group”, but none of them have the 888-333-4969 number listed on their websites. 
• “innovative tax relief complaints” Studio City, CA, here are the reviews you get: 

http://www.google.com/search?aq=f&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=innovative+tax+relief+complaints

STEP 4:  Get a second opinion. 

Overall, if you’re thinking of hiring The Tax Group or Innovative Tax Relief, get a second opinion if you owe back taxes.  Of course, I would like to be that second opinion, but as long as you take the time to do a little homework as listed in the first link above, you’ll probably be fine.  Click “About irs back tax help.” to learn about us.  The important part of this is to engage and act.  Overdue tax problems only grow when un-addressed. 

In Conclusion

It appears they are very focused on marketing their services.  If you want to be guaranteed not to be pressured, scared, or intimidated when you contact someone, I’m your man.  If you feel like “high-pressure” sales are not for you, email me and we’ll talk via email or phone.  If you would like irs back tax help to be your first or second opinion, I can be reached at irsbacktaxhelp@gmail.com.  We don’t pressure people in an already stressful situation, and I do not telemarket anyone. 

Regards,

irs back tax help

What’s next for irs back tax help? 

I will create a tax resolution review of each company that advertises on TV/radio/internet/print that seems to be heavily focused on marketing.  These reviews will be titled “Can… …really solve my IRS back tax problem?” for all of the companies I’m aware of that want to “fix your overdue tax problem.”