The Truth About Tax Relief Companies vs. Local CPAs in California

If you’ve been searching for tax relief help in California, you’ve probably seen a few bold promises:

“Settle your tax debt for pennies on the dollar!”

 “We stop IRS collections immediately!”
“Get relief with one simple phone call!”

These ads usually come from national tax relief companies — not licensed CPAs.



And while some of them mean well, many operate like sales call centers, not real tax firms. They may not even be licensed to practice in California. If your tax problems involve the IRS, Franchise Tax Board (FTB), CDTFA, or EDD, here's what you need to know.

What Is a Tax Relief Company?

A tax relief company is often a marketing business, not a law firm or CPA firm. These companies:

• Advertise aggressively on Google, radio, and YouTube
  
  
• Employ sales reps, not CPAs or Enrolled Agents
  
  
• Often charge $3,000–$10,000 upfront, regardless of your outcome
  
  
• Handle only IRS issues — not state-level tax enforcement
  
  

In fact, we see many of these firms refer California tax cases to outside providers, or worse — ignore them entirely.



If your issue involves the FTB or CDTFA, you’re almost always better off with a local CPA who understands California enforcement. Here’s why the FTB and CDTFA often act faster than the IRS.

Why Local CPAs Deliver Better Results

As a licensed CPA in California, I’m required to:

• Maintain continuing education
  
  
• Be registered with the California Board of Accountancy
  
  
• Follow strict ethical standards
  
  
• Personally supervise every client engagement
  
  

At Boulanger CPA, we represent taxpayers before the IRS and California tax agencies — including FTB levy and bank garnishment cases, CDTFA sales tax audits, and EDD payroll tax assessments.



We know how the California system actually works — and we don’t hide behind sales scripts or call centers.

Common Red Flags With National Firms

We’ve helped clean up dozens of messes left behind by national tax relief companies. Here are the most common problems:

• They submit an IRS Offer in Compromise when the case is clearly not eligible
  
  
• They ignore FTB, CDTFA, or EDD debt completely
  
  
• They use fake deadlines like “limited-time program enrollment”
  
  
• They take your money and disappear
  
  

If you’re evaluating your options, check out our detailed comparison of IRS vs FTB collection methods, or learn how we help Orange County taxpayers file successful Offers in Compromise.

Why National Firms Struggle With California Tax Agencies

California has unique rules for tax enforcement:

• The FTB can issue bank levies in as little as 10 days
  
  
• The CDTFA issues sales tax Notices of Determination that become final in 30 days
  
  
• The EDD can garnish wages or freeze accounts with minimal notice
  
  

Most national firms have no idea how fast the CDTFA or EDD move, and they certainly don’t represent clients before those agencies.



If you're already dealing with multiple collections, read our guide on how to stop a tax levy from multiple agencies in California.

When to Choose a Local CPA



Choose a California CPA — not a call center — when:

• You owe taxes to both the IRS and FTB
  
  
• You’re receiving CDTFA audit notices or sales tax assessments
  
  
• You’ve been garnished or levied by more than one agency
  
  
• You want someone to represent you personally and legally
  

What We Do at Boulanger CPA

We’ve helped California taxpayers:



• Resolve six-figure IRS and FTB tax debt through negotiated settlements
  
  
• Stop bank levies and wage garnishments in 48 hours or less
  
  
• Navigate CDTFA sales tax audits and EDD payroll enforcement
  
  
• Rebuild compliance for Offer in Compromise eligibility
  
  

If you're tired of dealing with out-of-state sales reps and want real guidance, schedule a consultation with Boulanger CPA.

📣 About the Author

Marc Boulanger, CPA is the founder of Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC, a boutique tax resolution firm based in Orange County, California and trusted by high-income individuals and business owners across Southern California.

He is the author of Defend What’s Yours: A California Taxpayer’s Guide to Beating the IRS and FTB at Their Own Game, available now on Amazon. The book offers a step-by-step plan for resolving IRS and FTB tax debt without losing your business, your home, or your peace of mind.

With over a decade of experience resolving high-stakes IRS and State tax matters, Marc brings strategic insight to complex cases involving wage garnishments, bank levies, unfiled returns, and six-figure tax debts. He is known for helping clients reduce or eliminate tax liabilities through expertly negotiated settlements and compliance plans.

Marc is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in California and Oklahoma and holds the designation of Certified Tax Representation Consultant. He is a member of the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS) — the national organization founded by the educators and practitioners who have trained thousands of CPAs, EAs, and tax attorneys in IRS representation strategy.

Every case is handled with discretion, proven methodology, and direct CPA-led representation — not call center scripts.

📍 Learn more at www.orangecounty.cpa or call (657) 218-5700.