About Us

Tamar is a Certified Public Accountant, holds a BA in Accounting from the University of Oregon, and is a member of the AICPA.  She has expertise in the areas of accounting, individual, and business tax law.

Prior to owning Total Tax, Inc, Tamar held tax and auditing positions at Lithia Motors in Medford, Oregon, and tax firms in Eugene and Bend, Oregon.In 2011, Tamar co-founded a second firm focused on tax relief services and operated both firms until 2017 when she sold her interest to consolidate her teams under Total Tax, Inc.Regardless of where she has been, her influence has created the highest levels of client satisfaction.

Her years of working in the tax industry have taught her the importance of building lasting relationships with clients based on best-in-class customer service.  Tamar leads Total Tax, Inc by example and expects that each client be treated like family.

Interests

In her free time, Tamar enjoys supporting her beloved Oregon Ducks, attending her kids activities and rafting the wild and scenic Rouge River in southern Oregon.

Paul received his BA from The University of California at Berkeley and spent nearly ten years as a consultant and tax professional before founding Total Tax Return in 1991. He is an Enrolled Agent and has over 30 years of tax accounting and consulting experience in the areas of individual and business tax, and representing clients facing audits and collections before the IRS.

Paul is currently semi-retired and primarily performing project work for Total Tax, Inc on a contract basis, but his extensive knowledge and experience continue to be a valuable resource for our staff and clients.

Interests

The other half of Paul’s time is spent challenging his climbing skills at many of the west’s natural rock climbing attractions and backpacking the mountains and coasts of the Northwest and California with his wife.

Steve is a leader on our Tax Resolution Services Team and is based in our Houston, Texas office. He has a B.S. in Business from the University of Texas, is an IRS Enrolled Agent and has more than a decade of experience in accounting and tax. Steve has represented thousands of clients with IRS tax problems so he is quick to identify the issues facing our clients and anticipate the IRS’s next move.

Steve spends most of his personal time with his family. He also enjoys running when the normally hot Houston weather will allow and swimming the rest of the time.

Mark has a degree from the University of South Carolina, holds his Enrolled Agent license and brings more than 2 decades of experience helping distressed taxpayers resolve IRS and state tax problems. He has seen it all and is quick to identify the most expedient path to protecting his clients and put the required actions in place to resolve the issues for good. Mark is a great fit for Total Tax because he tells it like it is and focusses on real solutions for his clients. He is a top performer and has expanded the expertise on an already senior level staff.

Like all Total Tax Case Managers, Mark can focus on state and IRS collections exclusively because he is supported by a full staff of Tax Accountants, Bookkeepers and professional administrative staff that specialize in other key tasks required to efficiently resolve back tax issues. The benefits include confidentiality, convenience and the confidence that each key step of the case has been handled by an expert.

Outside of work, Mark enjoys time with his family and friends.

Rachael earned her pre-law degree from Gonzaga University. She brings several years of tax resolution experience to Total Tax, Inc and has earned her Enrolled Agent’s license.

Rachael is a member of the Resolution Services team and specializes in negotiating installment agreements, Non-Collectable status, Offer in Compromise settlements and the release of wage and bank levies. She has a no-nonsense approach which works well in her negotiations with the IRS. Her clients appreciate her clarity and aren’t left to wonder about next steps.

Rachael contributes to an already seasoned team of licensed tax professionals. Experienced and junior representatives alike can draw on peers to confirm tax law positions and related negotiation strategies to assure they achieve the best solution.

Rachael enjoys her time at the gym and reading. She also likes to travel and spend time with friends checking out the area restaurants and pubs for the latest menu items.

Scott’s background in banking, collections and tax equips him with an ideal set of skills and experience for leading his clients through a tough tax problem. Scott has his Enrolled Agent license and years of tax resolution experience, contributing to his expertise in the tax laws, collections procedures and administrative processes of the IRS. He knows the next move the IRS is going to make and can keep his client safe from disruptive collection actions while he and the team work to position for the best possible outcome.

Scott has worked for some of the most recognizable tax companies, but came to Total Tax, Inc because he saw the trend for tax relief firms and large tax preparation companies to move away from full-service practices. He found himself no longer working directly with his clients who were instead serviced by call center staff speaking from scripts while he was relegated to calling the IRS for people he had never met and knew nothing about their particular situation. Wanting to get back to a relationship with his clients, Total Tax was the logical choice for him. He had found a team committed to personalized – full-service tax resolution. Scott advises his clients not only for the immediate tax issue, but for the future, because he intends to be their tax advisor for life.

Scott and his wife have two children and enjoy their pets, trips and gatherings with extended family.

Linton is a Case Manager and member of the Total Tax, Inc Resolution Services Team. He steps between our clients and the IRS to protect them from disruptive collection tactics and resolve compliance and tax debt issues. Linton served in the United States Army and graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law with his LL.M in Taxation. His background includes both courtroom and IRS administrative experience.

Outside of work, Linton is a board member of his local Humane Society and volunteers his time to find homes for unwanted pets. He also is an avid traveler and has visited some of the most exotic locations in the world.

Angie came to Total Tax, Inc in 2011 with a background in tax preparation.  She is an Enrolled Agent and an expert in back tax returns.

As a Senior Tax Accountant, Angie works closely with clients and regularly receives kudos for her ability to keep it simple.  Returning clients request her at tax time to keep them out of trouble and out of the IRS cross-hairs.

Interests

Outside of work, Angie likes working on home improvement projects with her husband, traveling, and spending time with her kids.

Tim brings 20 years of management and consulting experience to Total Tax, Inc from the tax and insurance industries. He holds a BS in Economics and a MA in Business and Marketing from Washington State University, certifications from Eastern Washington University and formal certificates in management disciplines including LEAN and 5S.

Tim’s contributions to Total Tax include process, systems and procedure innovations that drive information security, efficient sequence of workflow and impressive accuracy. Tim works with our IT resources to implement process and systems solutions that eliminate errors, minimize waste, and maximize customer value. Tim is a firm believer in the principles of continuous improvement and is driven to find ways to further the client experience.

Interests

Tim enjoys fly-fishing the many area rivers, supporting the Washington State Cougars and Seattle Seahawks and getting out on the area lakes with his family for summer activities.

Nick’s role as a Senior Tax Consultant is to work with individuals who are needing information about resolving a tax issue. Nick takes distressed taxpayers through the process required to identify what caused their tax issue, the steps to protect them and resolve the underlying issues. Total Tax, Inc’s approach gives him the tools to identify what needs to be done and explain the process. Nick is a warrior – an Italian American born and raised in New York and an ex-United States Marine. His clients know they have found someone who will fight for them. He is a man of straight answers and realistic expectations, but also known for his compassionate ear. He has managed teams in the corporate world for years and is driven for only the best outcomes.

Nick and his wife have 3 children and enjoy outdoor activities and the occasional trip to Disneyland or weekend getaways to Montana.

Mike has spent most of his career in the financial services industry consulting individuals and business owners regarding investments, taxes, and retirement solutions. He has a strong finance acumen and is quick to identify a path that will get troubled taxpayers and business owners on the best path to resolving expensive and disruptive tax issues.

His role as a Senior Tax Consultant put’s him at the forefront of our process. Mike steps his clients through an assessment that uncovers the issues causing unwanted attention from federal and or state taxing authorities. The outcome provides answers to what can be done to resolve the issues and what the client can expect for an outcome.

Mike consults his clients with tax compliance and tax debt issues that it is important to act quickly to avoid disruptive IRS collections. Total Tax avoids the approach other tax relief companies use that involves an investigation period of days or weeks before the client gets a representative assigned that can act on their behalf. Instead, Mike can literally have a licensed representative reaching out to the IRS for one of his clients within 24 hours to put protections in place that prevent or remove aggressive IRS collection tactics.

Mike is serious about taking care of his clients, but he is also the office practical joker. Mike breaks the mold for those who claim tax professionals don’t have a sense of humor.

Jen is a QuickBooks expert and has years of experience working with small and large businesses to streamline their accounting processes and correct flaws in their financial record keeping and reporting.

Her position is vital for demonstrating the financial position of our business clients when negotiating with the federal and state taxing authorities. A key part of reaching a negotiated tax outcome is having a clear and supportable financial picture that will withstand any IRS challenge. Jen’s experience gives her peers confidence that they are armed with the information needed to win. Jen also works with our business clients on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis to assist with keeping their payroll and monthly financials timely and accurate. It doesn’t take long for business owners to realize the benefits of having quick and consistent access to up to date and accurate financial information about their business. An equally important benefit is the time savings that they can now employ on other priorities. Our clients often comment that Jen is a trusted and valued member of their team and her ability to connect with all levels of staff in their organization in a credible and personable manner results in a trusting and valued relationship.

Outside of work Jen is a busy mom – she enjoys family outings including camping, rafting, sports games and attending various activities her husband and kids are involved in.

Lorraine brings more than 20 years of financial services customer service experience from the banking and tax industries. Her team supports the licensed tax professionals and serves as a resource for our clients regarding questions and guidance as the administrative portion of their case progresses.

Lorraine’s background includes work in audit, loans and financial analysis. Her unique combination of technical and service expertise is a critical attribute in driving processes, systems and talent that support the highest levels of client engagement and satisfaction. This focus is one reason why Total Tax, Inc consistently maintains a reputation for service and responsiveness that stands out among tax relief companies.

In her free time, Lorraine is quite the accomplished Do-It-Yourselfer having completed numerous home improvement projects. She enjoys spending time with her son and attending his sporting events as well as occasional dinners out, game nights and happy hour with friends.

Bethany came to Total Tax, Inc after more than a decade with the California Franchise Tax Board as a senior member of their collections department. The knowledge she has from working for the “other team” is invaluable and has allowed her to anticipate probable actions by not only the state of California, but other taxing authorities given the similarity in practices.

Our approach at Total Tax, Inc is to always stay a step ahead of the IRS and having representatives like Bethany who have unique experience and perspectives is one way we continue to be successful for our clients.

Bethany and her husband have a son and enjoy time with family.

Denise’s role as a Case Coordinator combines technical, project management and customer service skills. She keeps an eye on all tasks required to keep the case moving forward and acts as the client’s main point of contact.

Denise’s background and education combine for that ideal mix. She has worked as the central contact for day-to-day operations of a resort, taught accounting at the college level and even has professional experience that involved providing counseling services. So, for Denise, determining the logical next step for one of her cases, staying organized and responding to her clients in a compassionate manner is what her professional life has prepared her for.

Denise enjoys camping and time with her children and grandchildren.

Dale has his MBA from Eastern Washington University and has prior professional experience in the financial services industry.

As a Case Coordinator, Dale manages the components of the case and makes sure that all areas of the team are working together to move the case forward and achieve the best and most timely outcome. That effort can involve oversight of tasks involving the Case Management, Tax Accounting, Administrative and Bookkeeping teams. In addition, Dale’s role is the primary contact for the client since he has visibility to all areas of a client’s case.

Dale has continued his studies outside of work and spends time with friends and family.

Karen has been working in the financial services industry for most of her professional career. She has been a loan officer and spent many years in banking as a bank manager. She understands the importance of attentive customer service and maintaining organized, efficient, and accurate operations. Her prior management experience helps her quickly assess priorities and identify staff and customers that need assistance.

On her own time Karen is all about her family. She enjoys spending time with her husband, kids, and grandkids. She is also an accomplished interior decorator and cook.

Alicia is a member of the Administrative Support Team, or “Glue” as we often refer to them. Alicia and her team make sure our clients hear a friendly voice when they call, get directed to the person they need to speak to, get their paperwork processed efficiently and hold together the processes, procedures and tasks that support the larger team. Alicia brings years of customer service experience and administrative management skills to her position with Total Tax.

Alicia spends her personal time focused on her family. She enjoys cooking and time with her husband and kids.