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Five Star Tax Resolution logoFive Star Tax Resolution

Five Star Tax Resolution, founded in 2013, operates from Costa Mesa, California, providing tax resolution services to individuals and businesses facing IRS difficulties. The company maintains an online presence at fivestartaxresolution.com and has accumulated 247 customer reviews across multiple platforms.

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Trust score
6.38 /10
205+
verified reviews analyzed

Editorial Highlights

Customer feedback for Five Star Tax Resolution reveals a mixed but generally positive sentiment across 247 reviews. The company excels in professionalism and support, with 96.4% positive feedback from 83 mentions, as customers note staff "made me feel safe, supported" and "know exactly how to talk to the IRS agents." However, trust and reliability emerge as significant concerns, with only 32.3% positive sentiment from 31 mentions, including complaints about broken promises and failed follow-ups. Service quality receives 80.7% positive feedback, with customers reporting successful resolutions like "Not only did they solve 30 something year problem," though some experienced failures where "IRS showed up at my house, they claimed they no longer represented me."

Strengths

1

Exceptional professionalism and customer support with 96.4% positive sentiment across 83 customer mentions, demonstrating consistent staff expertise and helpfulness.

2

Strong process efficiency with 81.6% positive feedback on timeliness, including cases where customers experienced "levy released and funds back in my account within a week."

3

Solid service quality performance at 80.7% positive sentiment, with documented success in resolving complex tax issues and establishing payment plans with the IRS.

Show all strengths
4

Clear communication practices achieving 60% positive sentiment, with customers praising "fast and clear responses" and transparency about expectations.

Weaknesses

1

Trust and reliability concerns with only 32.3% positive sentiment from 31 mentions, including complaints about case workers failing to call and broken promises.

2

Cost and value perception issues, with just 21.4% positive sentiment from 14 mentions, including complaints about high fees of "6000 dollars and did nothing" in some cases.

3

Inconsistent communication follow-up, despite overall positive ratings, with specific complaints about "multiple weeks without responses" and failed follow-ups.

Positive

Complaint

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1. Professionalism & Support

97% Positive

I needed my hand held from the start, and John Wadsworth did just that.

very impressed and pleased with the customer service

2. Communication & Transparency

58% Positive

communication was constant...but after I paid, responsiveness dropped nearly to zero

responsiveness dropped nearly to zero

3. Service Quality

79% Positive

funds were unfrozen

will take your money up front and in our case did nothing on our behalf for six months

4. Process & Timeliness

80% Positive

provided education to help me through the process

After nearly 3 weeks, I had not seen evidence that key steps...were completed

5. Trust & Reliability

29% Positive

despite being told they would be

confirm that nothing was actioned

6. Cost & Value

19% Positive

experience was extremely frustrating. And expensive

took thousands of dollars from me & has been no help

7. Financial Arrangements

54% Positive

sent a cancellation email requesting a refund

I am out my money

FAQs

Quick answers based on verified editorial data

Is Five Star Tax Resolution legitimate?
Yes, Five Star Tax Resolution is a legitimate tax resolution company founded in 2013. The company maintains a 4.77 BBB rating from 56 reviews and a 4.5 Google rating from 191 reviews, totaling 247 customer reviews across platforms. Their 11+ years in business and substantial review volume indicate an established operation in the tax resolution industry.
What do customers say about Five Star Tax Resolution?
Customer feedback is mixed but generally positive across 247 reviews. The company receives exceptional praise for professionalism (96.4% positive) with customers noting staff "made me feel safe, supported" and "know exactly how to talk to the IRS agents." However, trust and reliability concerns emerge with only 32.3% positive sentiment, including complaints about case workers not calling and broken promises.
What are the complaints about Five Star Tax Resolution?
Based on customer reviews, the main complaints center on trust and reliability issues (67.7% negative sentiment), with customers reporting case workers who "never called" and unfulfilled promises. Cost concerns also appear, with some customers feeling overcharged, including one complaint about being "charged 6000 dollars and did nothing." Communication delays, including "multiple weeks without responses," are also noted.
How does Five Star Tax Resolution compare to other tax relief companies?
Five Star Tax Resolution's 4.77 BBB rating and 4.5 Google rating place it above average in the tax resolution industry. The company's 96.4% positive sentiment for professionalism significantly exceeds industry norms, though its 32.3% positive rating for trust and reliability falls below typical expectations for established firms.
How much does Five Star Tax Resolution charge?
Customer feedback on pricing is mixed, with only 21.4% positive sentiment from 14 cost-related mentions. While some customers appreciate the "firm, fixed price within 24 hours" and note "pricing is really good," others report high fees including complaints about $6,000 charges. The company does offer a money-back guarantee according to customer reports.
How long does Five Star Tax Resolution take to resolve cases?
Timeline performance receives 81.6% positive feedback, with many customers reporting quick resolutions including "levy released and funds back in my account within a week." However, some experience delays, with complaints about cases "taking half a year to file and do my tax resolution." Results appear to vary significantly by case complexity.
Does Five Star Tax Resolution have good communication?
Communication receives 60% positive sentiment from 65 mentions. Customers praise "fast and clear responses to my inquiries" and staff who "answered all questions in a timely manner." However, negative experiences include "3 times with failed follow ups" and "multiple weeks without responses," indicating inconsistent communication practices.
What payment plans does Five Star Tax Resolution offer?
Based on customer feedback, Five Star Tax Resolution helps establish payment arrangements with the IRS, including cases where customers received "manageable 72-month payment plan" options. Some customers report being able to "pay a fraction of what we thought we owed." The company appears to focus on negotiating affordable payment structures with tax authorities.

Platform Breakdown

BBB
BBB

62 reviews

4.73
BBB
Trustpilot

No reviews

N/A
BBB
Google

197 reviews

4.50