IRSplus Review

IRSplus, operated by Sunrise Business Solutions, is headquartered at 980 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL. The firm positions itself as a specialty financial and accounting service provider, focusing on tax credits and incentives. According to their website, IRSplus employs a team of over 100 professionals, including lawyers, accountants, analysts, and government order specialists, all dedicated to improving client performance and achieving financial goals.

The company’s core offerings include:

• Employee Retention Credit (ERC): A refundable tax credit under the CARES Act to support businesses that retained employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Self-Employed Tax Credit (SETC): A credit for self-employed individuals affected by the pandemic, covering sick and family leave.
• Other Incentives: R&D Tax Credits, Energy Investment Tax Credits, Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), Cost Segregation, and Section 179D deductions.

IRSplus emphasizes a no-upfront-fee model, charging a percentage of the client’s refund (typically 15–30%) based on the chosen service package. They also claim a quick turnaround time of under seven days for calculations and filings, backed by professional liability insurance and a 100% money-back guarantee.

Services and Expertise

Employee Retention Credit (ERC)

The ERC is a cornerstone of IRSplus’s offerings. Designed to incentivize businesses to keep employees on payroll during economic hardship, the ERC can provide significant refunds. IRSplus claims expertise in navigating the complex eligibility requirements and documentation processes, ensuring filings are accurate and compliant. Their website highlights billions in tax credits claimed for clients, positioning them as a leader in this space.

Self-Employed Tax Credit (SETC)

The SETC, tied to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), allows self-employed individuals to claim credits for lost income due to COVID-19-related disruptions. IRSplus markets its SETC services as a streamlined solution, with a dedicated portal (setc.irsplus.com) for applications. The firm’s ability to process these claims quickly is a key selling point, particularly for freelancers and small business owners.

Additional Tax Incentives

Beyond ERC and SETC, IRSplus offers a broad spectrum of tax incentive services, including:

• R&D Tax Credits: For businesses investing in research and development.
• Energy Investment Tax Credits: For energy-efficient projects.
• WOTC: For hiring individuals from targeted groups.
• Cost Segregation and Section 179D: For property-related tax savings.

This comprehensive approach appeals to businesses seeking to maximize deductions across multiple areas. The firm’s team of specialists is said to provide tailored advisory services to identify all eligible incentives.

Affiliate and Referral Programs

IRSplus also operates a robust affiliate program through PartnerStack, allowing individuals and marketing teams to earn commissions by referring clients. The program uses cookies to track referrals for 90 days, with payments processed monthly via PayPal or Stripe. This initiative reflects IRSplus’s aggressive marketing strategy to expand its client base.

Performance and Client Experience

Strengths

1. Professional Team and Expertise: IRSplus’s team of over 100 professionals, including legal and accounting experts, lends credibility to their services. Their professional liability insurance from Berkshire Hathaway and money-back guarantee further enhance client confidence.
2. Fast Turnaround: The claim of calculating and filing claims in under seven days is a significant advantage in the tax industry, where delays are common. This efficiency is particularly appealing for clients needing quick access to refunds.
3. No Upfront Fees: The contingency-based fee structure (15–30% of the refund) eliminates upfront costs, making IRSplus accessible to businesses and individuals with limited cash flow.
4. High Client Satisfaction (Claimed): IRSplus markets itself as the nation’s #1 rated ERC and SETC firm, suggesting strong client approval. However, independent verification of this claim is limited.

Weaknesses

1. Limited Independent Reviews: Despite IRSplus’s claims of high client satisfaction, there is a scarcity of independent customer reviews. For instance, ProvenExpert.com lists IRSplus but notes no reviews have been submitted. Similarly, Trustpilot has only nine reviews for IRSplus (under ercguaranteed.com), with mixed feedback. One reviewer reported unresponsiveness, stating they left messages for eight months without a reply.
2. Website Transparency: The IRSplus website (irsplus.com) provides detailed information on services but lacks transparent customer testimonials or case studies. This omission raises questions about the firm’s ability to substantiate its claims of billions in claimed credits.
3. Technical Issues: ScamAdviser notes that irs-plus.com has experienced technical issues, such as being unscanned for over 30 days or unavailable during analysis. While these issues do not confirm illegitimacy, they may affect user experience.
4. Low Tranco Ranking: ScamAdviser highlights that irs-plus.com has a low Tranco ranking, indicating limited web traffic or visibility. This could suggest a relatively new or less-established online presence, which may concern cautious clients.

Legitimacy and Trustworthiness

Positive Indicators

• ScamAdviser Ratings: Both irs-plus.com and setc.irsplus.com are rated as legitimate and safe by ScamAdviser, based on factors like SSL certificate usage, hosting country, and absence of phishing or malware flags. The algorithm assigns a relatively high trust score, though manual verification is recommended.
• Physical Presence: IRSplus’s Chicago office and contact details (phone: 424-438-7382, email: support@irsplus.com) provide a tangible point of contact, unlike many scam operations that rely on anonymity.
• Professional Affiliations: The firm’s partnership with PartnerStack for affiliate programs and its claimed insurance from Berkshire Hathaway suggest a structured business model.

Potential Red Flags

• Young Website: ScamAdviser notes that irs-plus.com is relatively new, which can be a risk factor in the online space. Newer websites may lack the track record needed to build trust.
• IRS Scam Concerns: The IRS has issued warnings about tax scams, particularly during filing season, including fraudulent claims for credits like the ERC and SETC. While there is no evidence linking IRSplus to scams, the industry’s vulnerability to fraud necessitates caution. Clients should verify that IRSplus’s filings comply with IRS guidelines to avoid penalties.
• Mixed Customer Feedback: The limited reviews on Trustpilot include negative experiences, such as unresponsiveness, which could indicate customer service challenges. This contrasts with IRSplus’s claims of high satisfaction.

Recommendations for Due Diligence

To assess IRSplus’s legitimacy, clients should:

1. Request References: Ask for case studies or anonymized examples of successful claims.
2. Verify Compliance: Ensure filings align with IRS guidelines, especially for ERC and SETC, to avoid audits or penalties.
3. Check Credentials: Confirm the qualifications of IRSplus’s team, such as CPA certifications or legal accreditations.
4. Monitor Communication: Test responsiveness by contacting support before committing to services.

Comparison to Competitors

IRSplus operates in a competitive market alongside firms like Tax Credit Advisors, ERC Specialists, and national accounting firms like Deloitte or PwC. Compared to these competitors, IRSplus stands out for its no-upfront-fee model and focus on ERC and SETC. However, larger firms may offer more robust client support and a longer track record, while smaller competitors may lack IRSplus’s claimed scale (100+ professionals). The limited reviews for IRSplus make it harder to compare client satisfaction directly, but their quick turnaround time is a differentiator.

Pricing and Value

IRSplus’s fee structure (15–30% of the refund) is competitive within the industry, where contingency fees are standard for tax credit services. The absence of upfront costs is a significant advantage, particularly for small businesses or self-employed individuals. However, clients should clarify the exact percentage and any additional costs (e.g., administrative fees) before signing agreements. The value proposition hinges on IRSplus’s ability to maximize credits efficiently, but the lack of transparent success metrics makes it harder to evaluate cost-effectiveness fully.

Customer Support and Accessibility

IRSplus offers multiple contact channels, including phone (424-438-7382), email (support@irsplus.com), and a client login portal. Their affiliate program also includes a dedicated dashboard for tracking referrals, indicating a user-friendly interface for partners. However, the Trustpilot review citing unresponsiveness raises concerns about customer service reliability. Potential clients should test communication channels and inquire about support availability, especially during peak tax seasons.

Industry Context and Risks

The tax credit industry is fraught with risks due to the complexity of IRS regulations and the prevalence of scams. The IRS’s “Dirty Dozen” list highlights fraudulent schemes involving fake ERC and SETC claims, often promoted by firms promising inflated refunds. While IRSplus appears legitimate based on available data, clients must remain vigilant. The firm’s emphasis on compliance and professional insurance is reassuring, but independent verification of their processes is essential.

Conclusion

IRSplus presents a compelling option for businesses and self-employed individuals seeking to maximize tax credits and incentives. Their no-upfront-fee model, quick turnaround, and comprehensive service offerings are significant strengths, particularly for ERC and SETC claims. The firm’s team of over 100 professionals and professional liability insurance add credibility, while their Chicago office and contact details provide a tangible presence.

However, the lack of independent reviews, limited transparency on client outcomes, and reported customer service issues are notable drawbacks. The relatively new website and low Tranco ranking may also give pause to cautious clients. While ScamAdviser rates IRSplus as legitimate, the broader industry’s susceptibility to scams underscores the need for due diligence.

For those considering IRSplus, the firm is likely a viable choice for tax credit services, provided clients verify compliance, clarify fees, and test responsiveness. Requesting references and reviewing IRS guidelines for ERC and SETC can further mitigate risks. Ultimately, IRSplus’s value depends on its ability to deliver on its promises of speed, accuracy, and client satisfaction in a complex and high-stakes field.