The average person spends 13 hours and $290 preparing and filing their taxes. And that’s assuming he or she makes zero mistakes. One wrong number or misunderstood rule can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Just ask the nearly one in three Americans who were blindsided with bigger-than-expected tax bills after filing in 2024.
And with sweeping new tax law changes and a government shutdown that wreaked havoc on the IRS, this filing season may be one of the trickiest to navigate in recent memory.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that passed in July 2025 instilled more than 25 major changes to the tax code. We’re talking about new deductions for seniors, tips, and overtime; a quadrupled SALT cap; higher standard deductions; and the elimination of the EV tax credit, to name a few.
Here’s the problem: More changes usually mean more surprises when you sit down to file. And surprises from the IRS are rarely the good kind.
Like we said earlier, around 33% of taxpayers said they owed more than expected in 2024. But there’s been a 45% increase over the past four years. With all these newest rules in play, numbers could climb even higher for 2025 returns.
Let’s break down why hiring professionals with the right technology and credentials could save you serious money and stress.
When DIY Tax Filing Makes Sense (And When It Doesn’t)
For tax filing, it makes perfect sense to use online tools like TurboTax if you’re a W-2 employee with no kids, no investments, no side income, and you’re taking the standard deduction.
Here’s when a pro makes better sense:
- Own a business or work as a freelancer
- Earn tips or significant overtime (there are new deductions for both)
- Are 65 or older (new $6,000 senior deduction with phase-outs)
- Live in a high-tax state and want to maximize the new $40,000 SALT cap
- Bought an EV in 2025 (the credit disappeared Sept. 30)
- Have rental properties or investments
- Got divorced, got married, had a baby, or experienced any major life change
- Already owe back taxes to the IRS
- Received an IRS notice or letter you don’t understand
Turn to the Pros For Resolving Tax Debt
Now, regardless of who files your taxes, if you wind up with a huge, unexpected tax bill, a pro has a better chance of resolving that balance with the IRS on your behalf.
Besides, resolving a tax liability yourself could mean hours on the phone and months, or even years of communication with the IRS and hundreds of dollars in accrued penalties and interest fees.
And, granted, taxpayers struggling to pay off a tax liability may qualify for one or more of these IRS programs: Offer in Compromise, Currently Non-Collectible status, or Installment agreements. However, many don’t know how to best utilize these programs to secure the highest level of relief.
Finally, you must prove financial hardship to be accepted into many of these programs. Unfortunately, there is no “one-size-fits-all” financial hardship determiner. Instead, the IRS calculates whether you qualify by utilizing your zip code and measuring your monthly allowable expenses against your assets, income and other circumstances.
Tax … and Stress Relief
Professional tax relief is not a magical solution to your tax issue. A legitimate tax relief company will never guarantee a specific result or quote an amount by which they will reduce your tax liability.
What tax relief professionals can provide is the peace of mind that your tax liability is being resolved as effectively and efficiently as possible. Tax relief companies often employ a team of tax attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents who specialize in resolving tax liabilities every day.
These companies can remove that burden with qualified professionals at the forefront of your fight. The relationships that tax professionals develop over the years with various IRS agents and revenue officers often help them to quickly come to a resolution for clients.
Here’s where TaxRise comes in.
This tax relief company based in Orange County, Calif. doesn’t just prepare returns; they specialize in resolving IRS debt. That means if you file your 2025 taxes and discover you owe $10,000 you can’t pay, they don’t abandon you. TaxRise helps you negotiate with the IRS using programs mentioned earlier.
“TaxRise is innovating because we see client pain points left unanswered in this unchanged industry. Our company is launching new tools and processes to ease the complicated IRS tax system while being a resourceful hub of information for taxpayers,” explains CEO Essam Abdullah.
Modern times call for innovative thinking, a mentality TaxRise has embraced moving forward into 2026. The company is setting its sights toward the future and tackling the whys, whats, and hows: Why change now? What are taxpayers’ pain points? How do they better serve their clients?
Here are some of TaxRise’s key benefits:
Transparent Client Portal: You’re not left in the dark wondering what’s happening with your case. TaxRise’s secure online portal lets you see exactly where you stand at every step, upload documents, and communicate with the team in real time.
Two-Phase Process: TaxRise’s system breaks resolution into two clear phases: investigation (where they analyze your situation) and resolution (where they negotiate with the IRS on your behalf).
Credentials That Matter: TaxRise employs enrolled agents, CPAs, and tax attorneys. Founded in 2017 by Abdullah, who has over 15 years in the tax relief industry, the company has helped thousands of clients nationwide and holds an A+ BBB rating.
Affordable and Accessible: Unlike some firms that charge thousands upfront, TaxRise offers free consultations and transparent pricing. They understand that if you’re already in IRS debt, you can’t afford to pay a huge amount for relief.
The Bottom Line
As an industry veteran, Abdullah admits that he’s seen every kind of tax mess you can imagine. And here’s what he knows for sure … “When the tax code gets this complicated, when the IRS is this overwhelmed, and when the stakes are this high, trying to save a few hundred bucks by doing it yourself can end up costing you thousands.”
TaxRise’s approach of combining cutting-edge technology with experienced, licensed tax professionals represents the future of tax resolution.
As Abdullah puts it, “Our entire approach is built around making tax resolution support accessible, transparent, and helpful.”
Disclaimer: Information and company references (including BBB ratings) are current as of the publication date. This article is for general informational purposes only and reflects the author’s opinions. It is not tax, legal, or financial advice, and no results are guaranteed. Readers should consult a qualified professional regarding their individual situation.
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