Compare 10 tax resolution companies for 2027, each led by named tax attorneys, CPAs or enrolled agents, plus the red flags that signal a tax debt relief mill.
Owing the IRS money you cannot pay is stressful, and the tax debt relief industry knows it. Late-night ads promise to make tax bills disappear, and some of the companies behind them have been sued by regulators. In late 2025, for example, the FTC and the State of Nevada sued a company called American Tax Service, alleging it posed as a government-affiliated entity, claimed it could settle debts for a fraction of what was owed before reviewing customers’ cases, and did little of the promised work. Choosing among tax resolution companies is a decision worth slowing down for.
This list is built for individuals and business owners facing IRS or state collection: unpaid balances, liens, levies, wage garnishments, unfiled returns or payroll tax problems. We only included firms that name their credentialed professionals on their own websites, meaning tax attorneys, CPAs or enrolled agents who can represent you before the IRS. We searched each firm for FTC, state attorney general or other enforcement actions and lawsuits and excluded anything questionable. We favored firms with former IRS or Justice Department lawyers, clear descriptions of the collection tools they use, and no promises about outcomes.
The key rule to know: the IRS’s own options, such as an IRS installment agreement, currently not collectible status, penalty abatement and an IRS offer in compromise, are the same tools every legitimate firm uses. A good representative helps you qualify for the right one and handles the paperwork and negotiation. No one can guarantee a result. If your tax problem is tied to rental property or a real estate business, you may also want one of the real estate CPA firms we cover elsewhere.
Tax Resolution Firms At A Glance
Company
Headquarters
Best For
Standout
Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez
Beverly Hills, California
High-stakes civil and criminal tax matters
Tax-focused law firm with 60+ years of history
Brager Tax Law Group
Beverly Hills, California
Collection cases needing litigation backup
Attorneys formerly with IRS Office of Chief Counsel
Freeman Law
Texas (Dallas and Frisco offices)
Liens, levies and Trust Fund Recovery Penalty disputes
Dedicated IRS collections defense practice
Kostelanetz
New York, New York
Collection problems with possible criminal exposure
Roughly 80 years in tax controversy
Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing
Irvine, California
Clients who want attorney and CPA in one firm
Founder is an attorney and CPA
Moskowitz LLP
San Francisco, California
Resolution plus ongoing tax prep and bookkeeping
Attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents named on site
Kahn Tax Law
Walnut Creek and six other California offices
California taxpayers with IRS and state agency issues
Board certified tax attorney who is also a CPA
Mitchell Tax Law
Houston, Texas
Texans wanting an ex-IRS insider
Founder is a former IRS attorney and Appeals Officer
Ayar Law
Grand Rapids and Farmington Hills, Michigan
Michigan individuals and businesses
Tax attorneys plus a former IRS agent EA
Dimov Tax
Multiple U.S. offices
Taxpayers who prefer a CPA and EA firm
CPAs and EAs handle IRS correspondence under Form 2848
Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez P.C. is a tax-focused law firm based in Beverly Hills that says it has served clients nationwide for more than 60 years. Its tax collection practice negotiates installment agreements and offers in compromise with the IRS and state agencies, pursues Collection Due Process appeals before the IRS Office of Appeals and the U.S. Tax Court, obtains lien releases and subordinations, defends wrongful levy cases and advises on whether bankruptcy can resolve tax debts.
The bench is deep. Steven Toscher is certified as a tax specialist by the State Bar of California and was a trial attorney with the Justice Department’s Tax Division after working as an IRS Revenue Agent. Robert Horwitz was a trial attorney with the DOJ Tax Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles and has chaired the State Bar of California’s Taxation Section. The firm also handles audits, civil litigation and criminal tax investigations, which matters when a collection case is not purely about money.
Best for: Taxpayers with large balances or complicated facts who want experienced tax litigators.
2. Brager Tax Law Group — Former IRS Chief Counsel Attorneys Handling Collection And Litigation
Brager Tax Law Group works on IRS and California tax disputes from offices in Beverly Hills, Woodland Hills, Newport Beach, Washington, D.C. and Miami. On the collection side it lists offers in compromise, installment agreements, and releases of levies and liens, along with payroll tax problems, innocent spouse defenses and California sales and use tax matters before the CDTFA and Office of Tax Appeals.
Several of its attorneys spent years on the other side of the table. Managing Director Cheryl R. Frank was a senior tax attorney in the IRS Office of Chief Counsel’s Tax Litigation Division. Dennis N. Brager and Guy Glaser were senior trial attorneys with IRS Chief Counsel, and Linette B. Young also has a long IRS background. Meredith J. Vincent is both an attorney and an enrolled agent. Because the firm also litigates in Tax Court, district court and bankruptcy court, clients do not need to switch firms if negotiation fails.
Best for: California and multistate clients who want collection work backed by litigation experience.
3. Freeman Law — Dedicated IRS Collections Defense Practice In Texas
Freeman Law is a Texas-based law firm with offices in Dallas, Frisco, Austin, Washington, D.C. and Mexico City. Its IRS collections defense practice covers federal tax lien relief (discharge, subordination, withdrawal and certificates of non-attachment), levy defense, installment agreements and offers in compromise, Collection Due Process hearings before the IRS Independent Office of Appeals, Trust Fund Recovery Penalty disputes and wrongful seizure litigation.
The firm says it has handled more than 100 cases against the IRS in Tax Court. Managing Member Jason B. Freeman leads a team of named attorneys that includes Cory D. Halliburton and Matthew L. Roberts, and the firm lists John Svitak, CPA, on staff. Freeman Law also describes its litigation group as including former IRS trial attorneys and dual-credentialed CPA attorneys. The Trust Fund Recovery Penalty work is a useful specialty for business owners whose companies fell behind on payroll taxes.
Best for: Business owners and individuals facing liens, levies or payroll tax penalties.
4. Kostelanetz — Tax Controversy Firm With Former DOJ And IRS Officials
Kostelanetz is a tax controversy law firm that says it has been practicing for about 80 years, with offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Hackensack, New Jersey. Its practice areas include civil tax controversies and litigation, criminal tax investigations, international tax controversies and voluntary disclosures. The firm says it regularly obtains penalty abatements, accepted offers in compromise and innocent spouse relief.
Many of its attorneys are former senior officials at the Department of Justice, the IRS, the SEC and prosecutors’ offices, and the firm’s team includes former IRS Criminal Investigation leadership. Named partners include Bryan C. Skarlatos, recognized for tax controversy litigation, and Sharon L. McCarthy. Kostelanetz is not a volume collection shop. It is the kind of firm to call when unpaid taxes overlap with unreported income, offshore accounts or a risk of criminal referral.
Best for: Taxpayers whose collection problem could have criminal or international dimensions.
The Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, P.C. is headquartered in Irvine, California, with a long list of satellite offices across California and in states including Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Florida and New York. Its tax relief and resolution practice covers offers in compromise, tax liens, levies and garnishments, innocent spouse relief, penalty abatement and tax-motivated bankruptcy, alongside audits, appeals, criminal tax defense and voluntary disclosure.
David W. Klasing holds a law degree, a master’s in taxation and a CPA license, and the firm names other credentialed staff including Marc Schwartz, J.D., CPA, Suzanne Daley, CPA, and Brandon Heinrich, CPA. Having attorneys and CPAs under one roof means the same firm can reconstruct unfiled returns, analyze financial statements for a collection alternative and keep the work under attorney supervision. The firm’s large satellite network is useful for clients who want an in-person meeting.
Best for: Clients with unfiled returns or messy records who want legal and accounting work combined.
6. Moskowitz LLP — Tax Law Firm With Attorneys, CPAs And Enrolled Agents
Moskowitz LLP describes itself as a full-service tax law firm composed of tax attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents, with offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City and clients nationwide. Founder Steve Moskowitz has practiced as a tax attorney in San Francisco for more than 30 years. Services include tax resolution and collection matters, audit representation, tax litigation and criminal tax representation.
The site names its credentialed team, including Managing Attorney Paul Vargas, CPAs Mark McMaster, Chris Lyons and Sarah Vestal, and several enrolled agents. That mix lets the firm prepare missing returns, negotiate with collections and then keep a client compliant with ongoing tax preparation and bookkeeping. For people whose collection problem started with years of unfiled or poorly prepared returns, that continuity can prevent the same issue from coming back.
Best for: Individuals and small businesses who want resolution and future compliance handled by one firm.
7. Kahn Tax Law — Board Certified Tax Attorney And CPA Serving California
The Law Offices of Jeffrey B. Kahn, P.C. focuses on tax controversy and resolution for individuals and small business owners, with seven offices across Northern and Southern California. Collection services include offers in compromise, installment agreements, currently not collectible status, innocent spouse claims, revenue officer matters, liens, levies and wage garnishments. The firm also handles disputes with California agencies such as the FTB, EDD and CDTFA.
Jeffrey B. Kahn is board certified in tax law by both the California and Florida bars, holds an LL.M. in taxation and is a licensed Florida CPA, with more than 28 years of experience according to the firm. Kahn Tax Law is upfront about cost: it sells paid 60-minute planning sessions whose fee is credited if you hire the firm. That is a more transparent starting point than a “free” call that ends in a high-pressure sales pitch.
Best for: California taxpayers dealing with both the IRS and state tax agencies.
8. Mitchell Tax Law — Led By A Former IRS Attorney And Appeals Officer
Mitchell Tax Law LLC is a Texas tax law firm with its principal office in Houston, an office in Dallas and meeting space in Austin, San Antonio and Denver. Its tax collections practice covers liens, levies, installment agreements, offers in compromise and Collection Due Process hearings, and the firm also works on audits and Tax Court cases.
Founder Kreig Mitchell spent years inside the IRS, first as an attorney and then as an Appeals Officer, and holds an LL.M. in taxation and U.S. Tax Court admission. Appeals experience is particularly relevant in collection cases, because Collection Due Process hearings and offer appeals are decided by the IRS Independent Office of Appeals. As with any firm, ask for a written fee estimate before you engage.
Best for: Texas taxpayers who want an attorney with direct IRS Appeals experience.
9. Ayar Law — Michigan Tax Law Firm With A Former IRS Agent On Staff
Ayar Law is a Michigan tax law firm that says “Tax Law Is All We Do” and has been serving Michigan since 2012, with offices in Grand Rapids and Farmington Hills and clients nationwide. Its services for unpaid balances include partial-pay installment agreements and offers in compromise, along with unfiled returns, audit representation and appeals, Tax Court litigation, innocent spouse relief and Michigan Department of Treasury disputes.
Founder Venar Ayar holds a J.D. and an LL.M. in taxation, and the firm names senior tax attorneys including Agustin Arbulu, J.D., LL.M., and Hayden Leithauser. Robert Kavaliauskas is an enrolled agent and former IRS agent. A regional firm with a Michigan focus can be a practical choice for residents whose federal debt sits alongside state income, sales or use tax issues, since the same team handles both.
Best for: Michigan individuals and businesses with federal and state tax debts.
Dimov Tax is a CPA firm with offices in San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, San Diego, Portland and Philadelphia, serving clients in all 50 states. Under a Form 2848 power of attorney, the firm says it becomes the primary contact with the IRS and manages installment agreements, offers in compromise, penalty abatement requests and currently not collectible applications. It also handles payroll tax resolution and the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty.
President George Dimov is a CPA, and the team includes Stan Shraybman, EA, Anvar Akhtamov, CPA, EA, and Xintian Wang, CPA. The firm says its enrolled agents review the options before recommending a path. Not every tax debt needs a lawyer: if there is no fraud concern and you mainly need returns filed and a payment plan negotiated, a CPA and EA firm can be a more cost-effective fit, and it can keep your returns current afterward.
Best for: Taxpayers with straightforward collection cases who want CPA and EA representation.
How To Choose A Tax Resolution Firm
Who Will Actually Work On My Case?
Ask for the name and credential of the person who will represent you. Only attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. If a salesperson cannot tell you who your representative is, keep looking.
Do I Need A Tax Resolution Attorney Or A CPA?
A tax resolution attorney makes sense if there is any chance of fraud penalties or criminal exposure, if you may need to litigate, or if attorney-client privilege matters. For routine balances, payment plans and unfiled returns, a CPA or EA firm is often enough. Business owners with property may also want to coordinate with their tax strategy advisors so a settlement does not disrupt future planning.
How Are Fees Charged?
Get a written engagement letter that explains the scope and fee structure: flat fee, hourly or phased. Be cautious of large nonrefundable upfront fees charged before anyone has reviewed your IRS transcripts.
Will They Review My Transcripts First?
A legitimate firm pulls your IRS account transcripts and your financial information before recommending an option. Any firm that tells you what you will pay before that review is guessing, or worse.
What Are The Red Flags To Avoid?
Walk away from any company that guarantees a settlement amount, claims a special relationship with the IRS, uses letters that look like government notices, pressures you to sign the same day, or cannot name its credentialed staff. Also check for FTC or state attorney general actions and your state bar or board of accountancy records before you sign. The IRS has repeatedly warned taxpayers about “offer in compromise mills” that overpromise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do Tax Resolution Companies Do?
They represent you with the IRS or a state agency to resolve unpaid tax debt. That can mean filing missing returns, requesting penalty relief, negotiating an installment agreement or offer in compromise, or stopping a levy through a Collection Due Process hearing.
Can I Resolve Tax Debt Without Hiring A Firm?
Often, yes. Many taxpayers set up payment plans directly on IRS.gov, and the IRS offers a free Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier tool. Low Income Taxpayer Clinics and the Taxpayer Advocate Service also help eligible taxpayers at no cost.
Is Tax Debt Relief Guaranteed?
No. The IRS decides whether to accept an offer or grant relief based on your income, expenses, assets and compliance history. Any firm that guarantees tax debt relief is a warning sign.
How Long Does Tax Resolution Take?
A simple installment agreement can be set up quickly, while an offer in compromise or appeal can take many months. Your representative should give you a realistic timeline after reviewing your file.
Conclusion
The best tax resolution companies do not sell miracles. They put a named attorney, CPA or enrolled agent on your case, review your records, and use the IRS’s standard collection options well. For complex or high-risk matters, Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez, Brager Tax Law Group, Freeman Law and Kostelanetz bring deep litigation benches. Klasing, Moskowitz LLP and Kahn Tax Law combine legal and accounting skills, while Mitchell Tax Law, Ayar Law and Dimov Tax suit regional or more routine cases. If your tax issues involve digital assets, see our sibling list of crypto tax accountants and CPA firms, and confirm any strategy with your own CPA or attorney.
This article is general information, not tax or legal advice.
