I’ve seen their ads on TV, can Tax Masters really reduce my tax debt? They can. But will they?
This post is a review for Tax Masters. Tax Masters does not meet irs back tax help criteria. If you have questions about this post, please reference: BP #61.
- ~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 in this direction.
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.”
Marketing Approach:
If you are treated politely, and the sales person 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! 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”. No one 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 tax liens, final notice of intent to levy, or a tax levy, do not hire the first company you call; especially if they are trying to pressure/intimidate you into doing that immediately! High pressure sales tactics are used for a reason. Instead, take a deep breath and take control of this tax problem on your terms.
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.
Before you call TaxMasters:
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 TaxMasters’ 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 companies here:
https://irsbacktaxhelp.wordpress.com/2011/12/27/tax-resolution-review-recap-whos-good-at-solving-irs-tax-problems/
Research & Reviews for TaxMasters
After doing a little homework on Google, TaxMasters has two addresses listed:
- 1011 Highway 6 S Ste 306, Houston, TX 77077
- 900 Town And Country Ln Ste 400, Houston, TX 77024
- Various phone/fax: (281) 497-4226, (713) 463-2900, 281-497-5937, 800-581-0456, (877) 668-8082
TaxMasters’ Better Business Bureau record looks like this:
- Business started 2001
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Time BBB accredited: Is not.
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1047 Complaints since 2/4/2012. Should be less than 3!
- http://www.bbb.org/houston/business-reviews/taxes-consultants-and-representatives/taxmasters-in-houston-tx-60000056/ “However, callers who asked to see written terms and conditions prior to making a payment were informed that a credit card or bank account number is necessary to generate a written TaxMasters service contract.” Caveat Emptor.
- 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.
- TaxMasters 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.
TaxMasters’ Reviews on Google:
- “tax masters reviews” here are the reviews that you get:
http://www.google.com/search?aq=0&oq=taxmasters+r&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=tax+masters+reviews
Overall, if you’re thinking of hiring them, 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 feel like “high-pressure” sales are not for you, email me. 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.”
Tax Masters
JK Harris
Tax Incorporated
Titan Tax Relief
Progressive Tax Group
Blue Tax
Power Tax Relief
411 Tax Relief
Tax Care Professionals
Nationwide Tax Relief
Advantage Tax Resolution
Associated Tax Relief
Innovative Tax Relief
Freedom Tax Relief
If you want to know about a tax resolution company not on the list, shoot me an email and I will create a review for you.