Anthem Tax Services vs Fortress Tax Relief
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top tax relief services picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
Anthem Tax Services
Ranked #2 of 15 in this directory
Veteran-founded tax relief firm with licensed enrolled agents and attorneys
Fortress Tax Relief
Ranked #5 of 15 in this directory
Tax attorney-led firm focused exclusively on IRS problem resolution
Our pick: Anthem Tax Services. Our editors rank Anthem Tax Services higher overall in Tax Relief Services — but Fortress Tax Relief can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| Anthem Tax Services | Fortress Tax Relief | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Full Service | Tax Attorneys |
| Editorial rank | #2 of 15 | #5 of 15 |
Strengths
Anthem Tax Services
- ✓Veteran-founded company with strong commitment to client service
- ✓Licensed enrolled agents and attorneys in all 50 states
- ✓Handles both IRS and state tax debt resolution
- ✓Free initial consultation with no obligation
- ✓Transparent pricing with no hidden fees after the investigation phase
Fortress Tax Relief
- ✓Led by licensed tax attorneys — ideal for cases with legal complexity
- ✓Focused exclusively on IRS problem resolution, not general tax prep
- ✓Handles Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status for qualifying clients
- ✓Attorney-client privilege protects communications from IRS disclosure
- ✓Strong track record with Offers in Compromise negotiations
Watch out for
Anthem Tax Services
- !Minimum tax debt requirement of approximately $10,000
- !Investigation phase fee is required upfront before resolution begins
- !Timeline for resolution can vary significantly by case complexity
- !Limited online self-service tools compared to some competitors
Fortress Tax Relief
- !Attorney-led services tend to be more expensive than EA-only firms
- !May be more than needed for simple installment agreement cases
- !Limited availability for state-only tax issues in some jurisdictions
- !Smaller firm size means potentially longer wait times during peak season
Best use cases
Anthem Tax Services
- →Taxpayer facing IRS wage garnishment who needs immediate relief
- →Small business owner with unfiled payroll tax returns and mounting penalties
- →Individual who received a bank levy notice and needs urgent IRS negotiation
Fortress Tax Relief
- →Taxpayer with potential criminal tax exposure needing attorney-client privilege protection
- →Individual who has been denied an Offer in Compromise and wants to appeal with legal representation
- →Business owner facing IRS Trust Fund Recovery Penalty assessment
About each tool
Anthem Tax Services
Anthem Tax Services is a veteran-founded tax relief company that helps individuals and businesses resolve IRS and state tax debts. The firm offers a full range of resolution services including Offers in Compromise, installment agreements, penalty abatement, wage garnishment release, bank levy release, and tax lien assistance. Anthem employs enrolled agents and tax attorneys licensed to practice in all 50 states and offers a free initial consultation.
Fortress Tax Relief
Fortress Tax Relief is a tax attorney-led firm that focuses exclusively on IRS tax problem resolution rather than general tax preparation. The firm handles Offers in Compromise, installment agreements, Currently Not Collectible status, penalty abatements, lien and levy releases, and audit representation. Their attorney-first approach means clients receive legal counsel from the outset, which is particularly valuable for complex cases involving potential criminal tax exposure.
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