Rank #88

US Tax Shield logoUS Tax Shield

US Tax Shield, founded in 2000, is a tax relief company based in Burbank, California that helps clients resolve IRS debt issues. The company operates from 3400 W Olive Ave #390, Burbank, CA 91505 and maintains an online presence at ustaxshield.com.

Trust score
6.66 /10
53+
verified reviews analyzed

Editorial Highlights

Based on 23 total reviews across multiple platforms, US Tax Shield shows mixed customer sentiment with significant concerns about service delivery. The company holds a 1.0 BBB rating from 3 reviews and a 3.2 Google Maps rating from 20 reviews. Customer feedback reveals divided experiences, with one satisfied client noting "she was able to settle on my behalf" and "my personal tax debt is all taken care of," while dissatisfied customers report issues like "did not negotiate one penny off my IRS debt" and describe the service as "one big fat scam." The review data shows particular strengths in professionalism (78.6% positive) but significant weaknesses in cost perception (9.1% positive) and process timeliness (27.3% positive).

Strengths

1

Professionalism stands out as the company's strongest area, with 78.6% positive sentiment across 14 mentions, with customers praising how "staff is energetic, communicative and efficient" and noting "they were cool and calm."

2

Service quality shows reasonable performance at 63% positive across 27 mentions, with successful cases where representatives "negotiated an offer with the IRS" and helped clients get their "personal tax debt all taken care of."

3

Communication shows balanced results at 50% positive across 16 mentions, with some clients reporting they "GOT UPDATED PHONE CALLS ON MY CASE REGULARLY" and staff "communicated very well and in a timely fashion."

Weaknesses

1

Cost and value perception is the company's biggest challenge, with only 9.1% positive sentiment across 11 mentions, with customers complaining "I paid these clowns over $2500" and citing cases where clients paid "$5,000 up front, 1 1/2 years later, USTS got me on a $700/month payment plan."

2

Process and timeliness concerns affect 27.3% positive sentiment across 11 mentions, with complaints about "slowness in handling the case" and instances where the company "only made one call."

3

Trust and reliability issues show only 33.3% positive sentiment across 15 mentions, with some customers calling it "one big fat scam" and reporting "zero follow up on the promise."

Positive

Complaint

Click on comment to see details

1. Service Quality

63% Positive

they did almost nothing

tax debt started at $35k when I first hied them. It is now reaching $100k

2. Communication & Transparency

50% Positive

still get no responses

3. Trust & Reliability

33% Positive

4. Professionalism & Support

79% Positive

Follow up is terrific, always someone helping me

staff were with me they work with me step-by-step

5. Cost & Value

9% Positive

Paid them 4500

6. Process & Timeliness

27% Positive

7. Financial Arrangements

25% Positive

When asked to refund my money they disapear and no longer communicate

Customer review highlights

Representative verified feedback from customers

Positive · Service Quality

About five years ago I had a six figures back tax problem with the IRS I couldn't deal with them, understand or settle with them and I tried. I reached out to US Tax Shield and they were able to negotiate a settlement with the IRS resulting in a monthly payment plan. Consequently, it's all paid off, also removed the lien against me. US Tax Shield has prepared my tax returns for the last five years. Not only did they take care of my tax problem to my satisfaction but they also do my taxes every year and I'm very satisfied of how they prepare it. Follow up is terrific, always someone helping me. Follow what they say and if you follow everything will work out.

Positive · Professionalism & Support

About five years ago I had a six figures back tax problem with the IRS I couldn't deal with them, understand or settle with them and I tried. I reached out to US Tax Shield and they were able to negotiate a settlement with the IRS resulting in a monthly payment plan. Consequently, it's all paid off, also removed the lien against me. US Tax Shield has prepared my tax returns for the last five years. Not only did they take care of my tax problem to my satisfaction but they also do my taxes every year and I'm very satisfied of how they prepare it. Follow up is terrific, always someone helping me. Follow what they say and if you follow everything will work out.

Positive · Professionalism & Support

I would like to say thank you to this staff at u s tax shield Rick Tanner,Cel Melcardo Edward Lopez AdrianTelime Maria Elena just to name a few. ..Last year us tax shield help me file 10 years of tax return. During this year my son had became ill and was hospitalized he went in for an outpatient procedure the next day he was in ICU. I say this to you because I want you to know my mindset ,I have to tell you how compassionate and understanding the staff were with me they work with me. First they contacted the IRS and then getting an extension for me they work with me step-by-step from the worksheet. And I tell you some days for me were harder than others but they were so patient with me ! it made me feel special not pressured I could call them at any time and someone would always return my call. we did it step-by-step until all were completed they even worked with me and set up a payment plan. My point is this during a difficult time they're still good professional compassionate people they will take care of your situation why you take care of you. . And even today I had a question about one of our tax years and someone called me back and went over with. Trust and Believe I wouldn't say these things are that they weren't true thanks again everyone for all your sincerely. MS D. NY NY

Positive · Process & Timeliness

I would like to say thank you to this staff at u s tax shield Rick Tanner,Cel Melcardo Edward Lopez AdrianTelime Maria Elena just to name a few. ..Last year us tax shield help me file 10 years of tax return. During this year my son had became ill and was hospitalized he went in for an outpatient procedure the next day he was in ICU. I say this to you because I want you to know my mindset ,I have to tell you how compassionate and understanding the staff were with me they work with me. First they contacted the IRS and then getting an extension for me they work with me step-by-step from the worksheet. And I tell you some days for me were harder than others but they were so patient with me ! it made me feel special not pressured I could call them at any time and someone would always return my call. we did it step-by-step until all were completed they even worked with me and set up a payment plan. My point is this during a difficult time they're still good professional compassionate people they will take care of your situation why you take care of you. . And even today I had a question about one of our tax years and someone called me back and went over with. Trust and Believe I wouldn't say these things are that they weren't true thanks again everyone for all your sincerely. MS D. NY NY

Positive · Process & Timeliness

The service was absolutely excellent! They made the process very customer friendly and guided me well from start to finish. I couldn’t be happier!

FAQs

Quick answers based on verified editorial data

Is US Tax Shield legitimate?
US Tax Shield is a legitimate tax relief company that has been in business since 2000. However, their credibility is questionable based on performance metrics - they hold a 1.0 BBB rating from 3 reviews, a 3.2 Google Maps rating from 20 reviews, and have 2 unresolved BBB complaints. While legally operating, their track record raises significant concerns about service quality and customer satisfaction.
What do customers say about US Tax Shield?
Customer feedback is heavily divided, with 23 total reviews showing mixed results. Positive experiences include clients who report "she was able to settle on my behalf" and "my personal tax debt is all taken care of." However, negative feedback is concerning, with customers stating the company "did not negotiate one penny off my IRS debt" and calling it "one big fat scam." The company shows strength in professionalism (78.6% positive) but major weaknesses in cost value (9.1% positive).
What are the complaints about US Tax Shield?
US Tax Shield has 2 BBB complaints with 0 resolved, which is concerning for customer service. Complaints include promises about tax debt "falling off" by 2023-2024 that didn't materialize, and customers paying substantial fees ($6,000 in one case) without receiving adequate service or refunds. Common issues reported include poor communication, failure to deliver promised results, and difficulty obtaining refunds when services don't meet expectations.
How does US Tax Shield compare to other tax relief companies?
US Tax Shield performs below industry standards with a 1.0 BBB rating, which is significantly lower than reputable tax relief companies that typically maintain A+ to B ratings. Their 0% complaint resolution rate and mixed customer sentiment (particularly the 9.1% positive rating for cost/value) suggest they lag behind established competitors in service delivery and customer satisfaction.
What do customers say about US Tax Shield's pricing and value?
Cost and value is US Tax Shield's weakest area, with only 9.1% positive sentiment across 11 mentions. Customers report paying substantial upfront fees - with one noting "I paid these clowns over $2500" and another describing paying "$5,000 up front, 1 1/2 years later, USTS got me on a $700/month payment plan." However, some clients did receive partial refunds, with the company "refunding $1700 because they felt they didn't provide enough of a savings."
How long does US Tax Shield take to resolve tax issues?
Process and timeliness is a significant concern, with only 27.3% positive sentiment across 11 mentions. Customers report "slowness in handling the case" and instances where the company "only made one call." Some cases appear to drag on for extended periods, with one complaint mentioning a case spanning from 2019 to present without resolution.
Is US Tax Shield's communication reliable?
Communication shows mixed results with 50% positive sentiment across 16 mentions. While some customers report they "GOT UPDATED PHONE CALLS ON MY CASE REGULARLY" and staff "communicated very well and in a timely fashion," others experienced problems where "we could never get in touch with him and he never answered our emails" and the company "failed to stay in contact with me."
Does US Tax Shield offer payment plans or refunds?
US Tax Shield does offer some financial flexibility, with 25% positive sentiment across 8 mentions in financial arrangements. Some customers report the company "refunding $1700 because they felt they didn't provide enough of a savings" and that "they did refund some money back to us." However, other customers report difficulty obtaining refunds, with complaints about "repeated emailed requests for a fee refund" going unanswered.

Platform Breakdown

BBB
BBB

2 reviews

1.00
BBB
Trustpilot

No reviews

N/A
BBB
Google

20 reviews

3.20