IRS notice in Fort Worth? Don't ignore it — but don't panic either.
Federal tax matters in Fort Worth route through the IRS Dallas Office, the U.S. Tax Court (which holds Fort Worth/Dallas sessions four times a year), and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Texas has no state income tax, but the Texas Comptroller's franchise tax and sales tax audits create state-level work too. These 10 firms handle individual and business tax controversy from audit through Tax Court trial.
These 10 firms handle tax and IRS matters for Fort Worth businesses, individuals, and entrepreneurs. The list mixes large established firms, mid-market players, and specialized boutiques so you can match the firm to your case size.
How we picked these 10: We cross-referenced published peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers and Partners), bar association recognition, Avvo and Justia profiles, and verifiable firm websites. Firms appearing consistently across at least two independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: Tax planning, estate tax, tax controversy
Fort Worth tax and estate planning boutique. Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers recognized. Strong on individual tax planning, estate tax, and IRS controversy for high-net-worth clients.
Practice focus: Tax law, estate planning, business tax
Tarrant County tax and estate boutique. Super Lawyers recognized. Handles individual, business, and trust tax matters with the IRS and Comptroller.
Practice focus: Tax controversy, business tax, sales tax
Fort Worth firm with a deep tax controversy bench. Super Lawyers recognized. Active in IRS and Texas Comptroller audits and appeals.
Practice focus: Tax controversy, IRS audits, Tax Court
William L. Dismuke is experienced in handling Texas tax cases. Fort Worth boutique focused on tax controversy and Tax Court litigation.
Practice focus: Federal tax litigation, IRS criminal investigations, cryptocurrency tax
30+ years federal tax litigation experience. Admitted to practice in all 50 states. Counsels clients facing IRS criminal investigations, audits, and crypto tax problems.
Practice focus: Tax planning, controversy, business tax
Chris Newsom has practiced tax planning and controversy since 1995 and has been Board Certified in Tax Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2005. Part of Cantey Hanger's tax group.
Practice focus: Federal tax, transactional tax, executive compensation
Fort Worth's largest home-grown firm with a dedicated tax practice. Active in transactional tax structuring and federal tax controversy.
Practice focus: IRS audits, appeals, collections, criminal tax
Fort Worth tax controversy boutique founded 2009. Represents individuals and business owners facing IRS audits, appeals, collections, and criminal tax matters.
Practice focus: Tax planning, business tax, estate tax
Long-established Fort Worth firm with a tax group covering individual, business, and estate tax matters.
Practice focus: Tax planning, federal tax controversy, business tax
Fort Worth mid-market firm. Handles individual and business tax planning and IRS controversy for closely-held businesses.
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with vetted tax attorneys in Fort Worth. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →IRS correspondence audit: 3-6 months. Office or field audit: 9-18 months. Offer in Compromise: 6-12 months for acceptance/rejection. U.S. Tax Court petition to trial: 12-24 months. Installment agreement: 30-60 days. Innocent spouse: 6-12 months. Texas Comptroller audit: 6-12 months plus 60-90 days for the appeal.
Simple installment agreement: $750-$1,500 flat. Offer in Compromise: $3,500-$6,500 flat. IRS audit representation: $250-$500/hour, typical total $5,000-$25,000. Tax Court petition through trial: $25,000-$150,000. Penalty abatement: $1,500-$3,500 flat. CDP hearings: $2,500-$5,000. Texas sales tax audit: $5,000-$30,000.
No Texas state income tax. Texas residents pay only federal income tax — but Texas businesses pay franchise tax to the Comptroller and sales/use tax on most transactions. State tax controversy is usually about these two.
Texas Comptroller audits are aggressive. Sales tax audits in Tarrant County are common for restaurants, contractors, and online sellers. Penalties are high and the appeals process is short. Local firms know the auditors.
U.S. Tax Court sessions in Dallas/Fort Worth. The Tax Court sits in Dallas roughly four times a year. Petitioning Tax Court keeps the IRS from collecting until your case is heard — and most cases settle before trial.
IRS Dallas office. Fort Worth taxpayers usually deal with the IRS Dallas Field Office for audits, the Cincinnati Service Center for correspondence, and the Memphis or Andover centers for collections.
Most firms on this list offer a free initial consultation or a low-cost intake. Use it. Before you sign, run the same set of questions past two or three of them. The answers tell you almost everything.
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific dollar amount, approval, or dismissal, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. The case is handled by an unsupervised junior or a paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill.
Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate Fort Worth attorney will give you a written engagement letter that spells out the fee structure, what's covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you change firms.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to peer rankings, bar association recognition, or published case results. "Thousands of satisfied clients" is marketing. Specifics are evidence.
Tell us a little about your situation. We'll send your information to vetted Fort Worth firms that handle tax matters and can call you back, usually the same business day.
Do not ignore it. You have 30 days to respond. A CP2000 is a 'matching notice' — the IRS thinks income on a 1099 or W-2 doesn't match what you reported. A Fort Worth tax attorney can usually resolve it for under $1,500 if you act in time.
An OIC settles your tax debt for less than owed if you can show inability to pay the full amount. About 33% of OICs are accepted. The IRS reviews assets, income, and reasonable expenses. Real settlements exist — they are not the TV-commercial 'pennies on the dollar' fantasy.
Tax preparation and most audit defense: CPA or enrolled agent is fine. For criminal investigations, Tax Court, complex appeals, or any matter where the IRS questions intent: tax attorney. Attorney-client privilege protects you in ways CPA conversations do not.
Texas businesses pay franchise tax on revenue over $2.47 million (2026 threshold). Most small businesses owe $0 but must still file a No Tax Due Report. Failure to file two years running = entity forfeiture. A Fort Worth tax attorney can clean up dormant entities.
Levy on a primary residence requires special procedures and is rare. The IRS can lien (cloud title) and force sale of investment property more easily. Texas's strong homestead protection adds an extra layer, but it doesn't trump federal tax liens. Get counsel immediately if you've received Letter 1058.
If you've been audited or received an IRS Letter 6173, 6174, 6174-A, or CP2000 about crypto — yes. If you're filing prospectively — usually a CPA with crypto experience is enough. The IRS has cleaned up the basis-reporting questions in 2024-2025 but enforcement is heavy.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years, and what were the outcomes? The answer tells you everything. — The LawFirmSquare team