I'm so sorry you're going through this - it sounds incredibly frustrating and unfortunately all too common with these large tax relief companies. The pattern you're describing with Optima is exactly what consumer protection agencies have been warning about for years. A few things that might help: First, document everything - save all emails, contracts, and records of payments you made to them. If they promised specific results or timelines, make note of those too. This documentation will be crucial if you do pursue legal action. Second, you might want to contact your state's attorney general office and file a complaint. While individual complaints don't always result in immediate action, they do build a case file that can lead to investigations if enough people report similar experiences. For your actual tax problem, as others have mentioned, you likely have options available directly through the IRS that don't require expensive intermediaries. The IRS website has a lot of helpful information about payment plans, offers in compromise, and other relief programs. As for organizing legal action, you might want to reach out to consumer protection attorneys in your area who handle class action suits. Many will provide free consultations to evaluate whether you have a viable case. The fact that you and others are reporting such similar experiences suggests there might be grounds for action. Hang in there - you're not alone in this, and there are legitimate paths forward to resolve both your tax issues and potentially recover what you paid to Optima.

I'm really sorry to hear about your experience with Optima Tax Relief - unfortunately, you're definitely not alone. I've been working in tax resolution for several years now and I see the aftermath of these kinds of situations regularly. What you're describing is textbook behavior from many of the large, heavily-advertised tax relief companies. They make big promises upfront, collect substantial fees, and then do minimal work while stringing clients along with requests for more documentation or additional payments. The reality is that most tax resolution work involves fairly standard IRS procedures that don't require the "expert negotiation" these companies claim to provide. Payment plans, offers in compromise, and other relief options have specific IRS criteria that determine eligibility - it's not really about negotiation skills. For your immediate situation, I'd recommend contacting the IRS directly to understand what options are actually available to you. You can often accomplish more in a single phone call with an IRS agent than these companies do in months. The IRS website also has good information about legitimate relief programs. Regarding potential legal action, definitely document everything and consider filing complaints with your state attorney general and the FTC. Even if individual complaints don't immediately resolve your situation, they help build cases that can lead to broader investigations and enforcement actions. You're absolutely right that these companies need to be stopped - they target people who are already in vulnerable financial situations and make their problems worse. Thank you for sharing your story and warning others.

Quick tip for OP: The IRS has a tax withholding estimator on their website that's been updated for 2025. It takes about 15 minutes to fill out but gives pretty accurate W4 instructions. Just google "IRS tax withholding estimator" and have your recent pay stubs ready. Way less stressful than guessing about that 2c box and finding out you were wrong next April!

This is such a common confusion! I went through the exact same thing when my spouse and I both got new jobs last year. Here's what I learned after talking to our HR department and doing some research: The Step 2c checkbox is basically the IRS acknowledging that the standard "married" withholding rate doesn't work well when both spouses have jobs. It's designed to prevent exactly the underwithholding situation you experienced in 2020. Here's the key thing: if you both have similar incomes, you should BOTH check the 2c box. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but that's what the IRS instructions actually say. The "only check if married filing jointly and both have jobs" applies to your situation as a couple - meaning this option exists specifically for dual-income married couples. When both of you check it, your employers will withhold at the higher single rate, which compensates for the fact that combining two "married" withholding amounts usually falls short of what you'll actually owe. We did this and went from owing $2,100 to getting a small refund of about $300. Much better than that heart attack feeling in April!

Has anyone considered the alternative minimum tax (AMT) implications when selling RSUs? I got absolutely destroyed last year because I didn't factor this in when executing my strategy.

One thing I learned the hard way is to also consider your overall income timing when deciding which RSU lots to sell. If you're expecting a bonus or other large income event later this year, it might make sense to realize those capital losses now to offset the higher tax bracket you'll be in. Conversely, if you're between jobs or expecting lower income next year, you might want to hold off on selling the loss lots until you're in a lower bracket where the deduction is more valuable. The $3,000 annual limit on deducting capital losses against ordinary income means timing can really matter for maximizing the tax benefit.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who made this transition a couple years ago! The advice about setting aside 25-30% is solid, but don't forget about state taxes if you're in a state that has them - that percentage might need to be higher depending on where you live. One thing that really helped me in the beginning was using the IRS withholding calculator (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator) after my first few freelance gigs. You can input both your W2 income and estimated freelance income, and it'll tell you if you need to adjust your W4 withholding at your main job or make quarterly payments. Also, since you mentioned TurboTax - they have a pretty good quarterly tax calculator tool that can help you figure out those estimated payments once you get a few paychecks under your belt. The key is not to stress too much about getting it perfect the first year - you're learning a new system and the IRS understands that. Just make sure you're setting aside something from each freelance payment and you'll be in much better shape than most people starting out! Good luck with the film work - it's such a fun industry to freelance in!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the importance of getting an EIN (Employer Identification Number) for your freelance work, even if you're a sole proprietor. While you can use your SSN, having an EIN makes you look more professional when clients ask for tax documents, and it adds a layer of privacy protection. You can apply for an EIN online directly through the IRS website for free - it literally takes about 10 minutes and you get it immediately. Some clients prefer working with freelancers who have EINs, and it makes the whole W-9 process smoother. Also, since you're in film production, consider joining relevant professional organizations like your local film commission or industry groups. The membership fees are tax-deductible business expenses, and they often provide valuable networking opportunities that can lead to more work. Plus, some offer resources or workshops on freelance business practices that could help with the tax and business side of things you're navigating. The learning curve feels steep at first, but once you get through your first year of managing both income sources, it becomes much more routine. You've got this!

Great question! I went through this same decision last year when my taxes got more complicated with rental income. Here's what I learned from interviewing several professionals: The biggest practical difference is that EAs eat, sleep, and breathe taxes year-round, while many CPAs have broader practices. When I called CPAs in July with a tax question, half of them said "call back in January." The EAs I contacted were ready to help immediately. For your situation with a new side business, either credential works, but I'd suggest asking specific questions like: "How many Schedule C returns do you prepare?" and "What business deductions should I be tracking?" The answers will tell you way more about their expertise than their letters after their name. One thing to consider - if your side business grows, you might eventually need business accounting services, financial planning, or help with business structure decisions. CPAs can grow with you into those areas, while EAs stay focused on the tax side. Cost-wise, I found EAs were generally 15-20% less expensive in my area for basic tax prep, but the range varies a lot based on experience and location.

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned much - consider looking at reviews and asking about their technology setup. Some older practitioners (both CPAs and EAs) still work mostly with paper and may not be as efficient or responsive. I switched to a younger EA last year who uses secure client portals, electronic signatures, and responds to questions via email within hours rather than days. The credential mattered way less than having someone who made the whole process smooth and modern. For your side business situation, also ask upfront about their process for quarterly estimated tax payments. Since you'll likely owe taxes on that business income, you want someone who will proactively help you set up payments to avoid penalties, not just handle it once a year at filing time. The best professional is one who thinks ahead about your situation rather than just filling out forms!