When readers ask me about tax relief companies, I look for the same basics every time: who is actually doing the work? What services do they offer? How much do they charge? What are their reviews and ratings? Five Star Tax Resolution is a firm in the “tax problem solving” space, and my goal here is to explain how to evaluate them, what to expect from the process, and the questions I would ask before signing anything…
What Five Star Tax Resolution does
Like other popular tax resolution firms (such as Tax Relief Advocates who you probably hear continuously on radio ads), the core menu typically includes:
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Free or low-cost initial consultation to understand your IRS or state issue
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Compliance cleanup, such as filing or amending missing returns
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Protection and relief steps, like wage garnishment and bank levy releases
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Payment solutions, such as installment agreements
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Financial hardship options, such as Currently Not Collectible status
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Offers in Compromise when you qualify
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Penalty abatement requests when facts support it
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Representation for audits and payroll tax problems
The real differentiator is not the list. It is the quality of the people doing the work and how they communicate with you from week to week.
Five Star Tax Resolution VS Your Other Options
Let’s compare some of the most popular options when it comes to dealing with high tax debt:
| Feature | Five Star Tax Resolution Pro Service |
DIY with IRS Lowest Cost |
Local CPA / EA Hands-On |
Big National Firm High Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who handles your case | Named EA/CPA/attorney as lead; dedicated case manager | You handle calls, forms, deadlines | Licensed practitioner; often the person you meet runs the file | Varies; large teams, work may be distributed |
| Typical services | Transcripts, filings, levy/garnishment relief, Installment Agreement, CNC, OIC, penalty abatement, audit defense | Online payment plans, amended/late filings, hardship requests, phone appeals | Same as left, plus ongoing bookkeeping/tax prep if needed | Full menu; strong at processing volume quickly |
| Estimated fees | Flat fee by phase; often mid-range for the industry | $0 fee to IRS for basic plans; your time is the cost | Hourly or fixed; varies by market and complexity | Wide range; can be higher for sales-driven models |
| Best for | Balances with active collections, missing returns, need for structured representation | Smaller balances, straightforward plans, comfortable self-advocates | Personalized attention, local meetings, combined tax prep + resolution | Multi-year, multi-state, high-volume processing needs |
| Pros | Dedicated licensed rep; transparent plan; balanced pricing; secure document portal | Cheapest; fastest for simple cases; full control | Direct access to practitioner; can pair with ongoing planning/tax filing | Extended hours; deep process staff; national footprint |
| Cons | Not the cheapest; outcome depends on your financials and compliance | Steeper learning curve; time on hold; easier to miss deadlines | Availability/pricing vary; some cases exceed a solo practice’s bandwidth | Communication can feel impersonal; sales pressure at some firms |
| Speed to action | Quick transcript pull and protection steps once onboarded | Depends on your time and IRS phone queues | Generally prompt, especially for local emergencies | Intake is fast; negotiations can be assembly-line style |
| Communication | Scheduled updates via portal/phone/email; single point of contact | You manage all IRS communication | Direct line to practitioner; in-person possible | Ticket-based; multiple contacts over the life of the case |
| Transparency | Written plan and flat fee by scope; clear what’s included | Full control, but you must learn the rules and forms | Usually straightforward; ask for engagement letter and deliverables | Varies by brand; ask about cancellations and refund terms |
| Bottom line | Balanced choice for guided, professional resolution without losing visibility into your case | Best if the balance is small and you’re comfortable managing forms and deadlines | Great for personalized attention and ongoing tax planning if the case fits their capacity | Useful for complex, high-volume needs; evaluate communication quality before committing |
Does a Tax Lawyer or Attorney Help?
If you are planning to work with Five Star Tax Resolution, ask exactly who will represent you in front of the IRS. A solid tax lawyer or attorney firm will center the case around licensed professionals such as:
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Enrolled Agents (EAs) who deal with the IRS every day
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CPAs with tax controversy experience
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Tax attorneys when legal complexity or litigation risk is present
I prefer firms that name the lead practitioner on my file and give me direct contact details. If you only interact with sales staff and cannot meet the EA, CPA, or attorney assigned to you, that is a yellow flag.
Now, on their website, it shows Victor A. Latham as the Senior Tax Attorney. Ask if you are going to receive his services if you work with them.
Victor Latham, Senior Tax Attorney.
The process you should expect
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Discovery and transcripts
The firm should pull your IRS transcripts with a signed authorization, confirm balances and deadlines, and give you a written game plan. -
Compliance first
The IRS will not negotiate until all required returns are filed. Expect a push to get current on filings and withholding or estimated payments. -
Financial analysis
A proper analysis uses IRS Collection Financial Standards to model what you can afford. This drives your eligibility for an installment plan, hardship status, or an Offer in Compromise. -
Resolution submission
The firm files the chosen path, responds to IRS notices, and handles back-and-forth until you have a written agreement or determination. -
Follow-through
Good firms set reminders for future filings and estimated payments so you do not default your agreement.
Pricing and how to think about it
Most tax resolution work is quoted as a flat fee based on complexity. Typical industry ranges for individual cases are often $2,000 to $6,000+, with payroll tax and multi-year or audit cases costing more. Many firms phase the work:
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Investigation phase to pull transcripts and map options
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Resolution phase to prepare and negotiate your case
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Compliance or monitoring phase if needed
What I ask for:
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A written engagement letter with scope, deliverables, timelines, and total cost
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Clarity on refund policies and what happens if you disengage
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A list of what is not included so there are no surprises
Be wary of anyone who guarantees an Offer in Compromise or quotes a fee before pulling transcripts and doing a real financial analysis.
Strengths I look for with a firm like this
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Clear point of contact and updates on a set cadence
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Licensed staff who will be the ones speaking to the IRS
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Education first mindset with realistic expectations
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Document portal and secure ways to share sensitive files
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Written plan that matches IRS standards rather than sales talking points
Potential drawbacks to weigh
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Upfront cost can feel high if the balance is small or the fix is simple
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Outcome uncertainty because the IRS decision depends on your true financials and compliance history
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Time to resolution can stretch for months, especially for offers or complex payroll cases
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Communication gaps if the firm is sales-heavy and practitioner-light
Who might be a good fit
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You owe a meaningful balance and are facing active collections
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You have missing returns and need both filing and negotiation help
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Your situation involves payroll tax or a prior defaulted agreement
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You want a licensed professional to speak to the IRS for you
Who might not need a firm
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You owe a small balance and can set up a standard online payment plan yourself
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You are fully compliant and simply need a short-term extension or more time to pay
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You are comfortable using the IRS’s self-service tools and calling the agency directly
Questions I would ask Five Star Tax Resolution
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Who will be my licensed representative and how do I reach them directly
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Can I see a written scope of work and a total flat fee by phase
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What are realistic outcomes for my case using IRS standards
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How often will you update me and through which channel
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What happens if the IRS rejects the first proposal
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What is your refund or cancellation policy
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How will you help me stay compliant so I do not default the agreement
Documents to gather before you talk
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All IRS and state notices
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Last two years of filed returns and any unfiled years list
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Recent pay stubs, bank statements, and a monthly expense breakdown
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Proof of extraordinary expenses that might matter for financial standards
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Any existing installment agreements or prior IRS correspondence
Bottom line
Five Star Tax Resolution offers the standard suite of tax relief services, which isn’t the same as debt settlement companies who focus on credit card debt. The value you get will depend on the caliber of the licensed professional who handles your file and the firm’s willingness to set realistic expectations. If you decide to interview them, go in with transcripts, a clear picture of your finances, and the questions above. A good firm will welcome that level of preparation, give you a sober assessment, and put everything in writing.
I always recommend speaking with more than one provider and comparing fees, scope, and who will actually represent you. If your balance and case are straightforward, consider whether you can resolve it directly with the IRS. If your situation is complex or urgent, a strong practitioner can be worth the cost by protecting your rights, preventing costly mistakes, and saving you time.
