An IRS notice is one of the few pieces of mail that can raise your heart rate before you open it. The good news is that almost every tax problem has a defined path to resolution — and a tax attorney's job is to find the one that fits your facts and deal with the IRS so you do not have to. In Plano, tax lawyers handle audits, back taxes, liens and levies, penalty disputes, and litigation.
Updated May 18, 202612 min readEditorially independent
The firms below each appear across at least two independent sources — Justia, Avvo, Super Lawyers, the State Bar of Texas, Martindale-Hubbell, or Expertise.com — and serve Plano-area individuals and businesses. Several attorneys hold meaningful credentials such as U.S. Tax Court admission, board certification, or a CPA license alongside the law degree.
The questions that matter are experience with your specific problem, candor about likely outcomes, and clear fees. A lawyer who resolves IRS matters every week knows which option the IRS will accept. Read each profile, then call two or three and compare.
How we picked these 9: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Justia, Avvo, Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, Best Lawyers, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable tax and IRS practice serving Plano. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
The Bronson Law Firm, P.C.
Plano, TXBoutique
Practice focus: IRS and Texas Comptroller tax controversy, tax debt settlement, audits, liens and levies
Led by William F. Bronson III, who has more than 40 years of legal experience and is a former Dallas County judge. He is board certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is admitted before the U.S. Tax Court and the federal district and bankruptcy courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas.
Practice focus: IRS disputes, appeals negotiation, tax litigation in U.S. Tax Court and federal courts
Partners James C. Mosser (licensed in Texas since 1994) and Nicholas D. Mosser represent small business owners, individuals, and corporations against the IRS, including challenging incorrect assessments. The firm drafts IRS correspondence, represents clients before appeals officers, and litigates tax matters in federal court.
Founded by attorney Carey Dowdy, who handles tax matters for individuals and businesses including IRS and state liens, bank levies, refund offsets, audits, and installment-agreement disputes. The firm serves Collin County, including Plano, Frisco, McKinney, and Allen.
Practice focus: Tax planning and IRS representation, post-audit appeals, estate planning
Partner Stephen L. Walker has over 40 years of experience, earned his J.D. from the University of Texas, and is also a CPA. He is admitted before the U.S. Tax Court and the federal district courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas, and holds an AV Preeminent rating with Martindale-Hubbell.
Founding attorney Andrew Margolies graduated with honors from the University of Maryland School of Law, concentrating in taxation and commercial law. He is admitted before the Texas state courts, the IRS, the U.S. Tax Court, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, focusing on audit defense and compliance for individuals and small businesses.
Practice focus: IRS problem resolution, back taxes, audits, liens, levies, settlements
Founded by Nick Nemeth, a licensed attorney since 1998, with managing partner Jamie Flores, the firm focuses solely on resolving IRS tax problems for individuals and businesses. The team carries decades of combined experience and explicitly serves Plano from its DFW offices.
Practice focus: Tax and estate planning, income and business tax-saving strategies, succession planning
A national estate, tax, and business planning practice staffed by both attorneys and CPAs. Founding partner Jamie Hargrove is both an attorney and a CPA, has been selected to Super Lawyers, and has appeared in multiple editions of Best Lawyers for Trusts and Estates, focusing on sophisticated planning for high-net-worth families.
Practice focus: IRS tax controversy and tax debt, repayment plans, settlements, estate planning
Founded in 2019 by attorney Robin Forsythe to assist individuals facing IRS controversies. The firm advises clients on tax obligations, settling balances, and preparing repayment plans, working with a network of CPAs and tax partners, and serves Plano and neighboring Collin County communities.
Practice focus: Tax litigation and disputes, income and property tax at federal, state and local levels, credits and incentives
A multi-state tax law firm with offices in several states and Washington, D.C. The firm resolves income and property tax disputes at the federal, state, and local level, along with tax credits and incentives. Partner Robert Carver has more than three decades of experience in real-property tax practice.
A one-time filing question may only need a CPA. An audit, an appeal, IRS collections, or Tax Court litigation needs a tax attorney — ideally one admitted to the U.S. Tax Court who resolves these matters regularly.
Ask who actually handles your matter day to day, how the firm communicates, and how it charges. A short, honest first conversation tells you more than any ranking, and the firms above are a starting point for that conversation — not a substitute for it.
What to look for in a tax attorney
The firms above are a starting point, not a verdict. The right lawyer for you depends on your facts, your budget, and how you want to be treated. Use these five signals to compare them.
Relevant, recent experience. “We handle everything” is a weakness, not a strength. You want a lawyer who works matters like yours in Plano week in and week out, not one who takes them occasionally between unrelated cases. Repeated, current experience with situations like yours is the single best predictor of a good outcome.
Straight talk about your situation. A good lawyer tells you what is strong and what is weak at the first meeting, not just what you want to hear. If everything sounds easy and the result sounds guaranteed, be skeptical — real matters carry real risk, and an honest lawyer names it up front.
Communication you can live with. Most complaints about lawyers are not about losing — they are about silence. Ask who returns your calls, how fast, and whether you will reach the actual attorney or only a screener. Set that expectation before you sign, because it rarely improves later.
Fees in writing, in plain English. You should leave the first meeting knowing exactly what you will pay, what it covers, and what could cost extra. A clear written fee agreement is a sign of a well-run practice; a vague “don't worry about it” is a sign to keep looking.
Local knowledge. A lawyer who works in Plano regularly knows the local courts, agencies, and counterparts, how matters tend to resolve, and which outcomes are realistic. That practical knowledge is hard to fake and easy to verify — just ask.
What a tax matter looks like in Plano
Most Plano tax matters start with a notice — an audit, a balance due, or a lien or levy — and the timeline runs on IRS deadlines, which makes responding promptly important. Common resolutions include installment agreements (a monthly payment plan), an offer in compromise (settling for less than the full balance when you qualify), penalty abatement, and currently-not-collectible status. A lawyer figures out which you qualify for and handles the filing and negotiation.
When a matter becomes adversarial — a disputed audit, an appeal, or litigation — it moves to IRS Appeals or the U.S. Tax Court, whose nearest trial sessions for Plano residents are held in Dallas. That is where attorney representation and, where relevant, attorney-client privilege matter most.
What does a tax attorney in Plano cost?
Fees are usually hourly or flat depending on the matter. Hourly rates in the Plano market commonly run from roughly $200 to $500 an hour. Defined projects — an offer in compromise, audit representation, a penalty-abatement request — are often quoted as flat fees, with total cost driven by how complex and contested the matter is.
A CPA is usually the right professional for preparing returns; a tax attorney is warranted when a matter is adversarial or legal — a significant audit, an appeal, litigation, allegations of fraud, or a large unresolved balance. Be wary of national firms that quote a low price and then add fees. Ask for the scope and the fee in writing.
Red flags to watch for
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees how your tax matter will end before reviewing your file, walk away.
The disappearing senior lawyer. You meet a name partner at intake, then never speak to them again while a junior runs the file unsupervised. Ask in writing who your day-to-day lawyer will be.
No verifiable track record. “We have handled thousands of cases” is marketing. Real evidence is named results, peer recognition such as Super Lawyers or Best Lawyers, and a clean record with the state bar.
Pressure to sign immediately. A reputable firm gives you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a sign of a volume mill, not a careful practice.
Vague fee terms. “Don't worry about the cost” is a red flag. Every legitimate firm puts the fee, what it covers, and what triggers extra charges in writing.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most firms on this list offer a free or low-cost first consultation. Use it, take notes, and compare at least two firms before you sign.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and an email, not just a firm brand.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the answer in writing before you sign anything.
What costs am I responsible for, and when? Out-of-pocket expenses surprise people. Ask up front.
What is the realistic range of outcomes here? A good lawyer gives you a range. A weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? Ask for an honest estimate with the assumptions stated.
Who else might work on this — associates, paralegals, outside experts? Know who is actually on your team.
How and how often will I hear from you? Set the communication expectation now, not later.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who will not discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What happens if I want to change lawyers later? Make sure you understand how your file and any fee are handled.
What’s specific about Plano and Texas
No state income tax. Texas has no personal income tax, so individual disputes here center on federal IRS matters. Businesses still face the Texas franchise (margin) tax and sales and use tax, administered by the state Comptroller.
Tax Court sits in Dallas. The nearest U.S. Tax Court trial sessions for Plano residents are held in downtown Dallas, so a local attorney can represent you without out-of-state travel.
Deadlines drive everything. IRS notices carry response windows, and missing one can forfeit valuable rights, such as the chance to challenge an assessment before paying. A lawyer's first job is often simply protecting your deadlines.
Your first steps this week
If you are dealing with a tax matter in Plano right now, a few moves protect you while you take the time to choose the right lawyer.
Write down the timeline. Put the dates, names, and what was said on paper while it is fresh. Details that feel obvious today are easy to lose in a month, and a clear timeline makes your first consultation far more productive.
Save everything. Keep the documents, emails, contracts, and records connected to your situation in one place. The strength of a matter often comes down to what you can show, not just what you can say.
Do not sign or agree to anything under pressure. Whether it is the other side, an agency, or a fast-talking salesperson, you are allowed to say you want to speak with your own lawyer first. A reputable Plano firm respects that; anyone who does not is telling you something.
Book two consultations. Most firms above offer a free or low-cost first meeting. Talk to at least two before you commit, and choose the tax attorney who explains your options clearly and answers your questions without rushing you.
Talk to a Plano tax and IRS lawyer — free, no obligation
Tell us what is going on. We'll match you with vetted Plano firms from the list above. Most respond within one business day.
Frequently asked questions
When should I hire a tax attorney instead of a CPA?
Use a CPA for preparing returns and routine accounting. Hire a tax attorney when a matter is adversarial or legal — a significant audit, an appeal, litigation, suspected fraud, or a large unresolved balance — or when you need attorney-client privilege.
What can a tax attorney do about my IRS debt?
Depending on your finances, options include an installment agreement, an offer in compromise to settle for less than owed, penalty abatement, and currently-not-collectible status. A lawyer determines what you qualify for and negotiates it.
How much does a tax attorney cost in Plano?
Hourly rates in Plano commonly run $200 to $500 an hour, while defined projects like an offer in compromise or audit defense are often flat fees. Total cost depends on the complexity of the matter.
What is an offer in compromise?
It is an IRS program that lets qualifying taxpayers settle a tax debt for less than the full amount, based on ability to pay. Not everyone qualifies, and the application is detailed, which is where an experienced attorney helps.
The IRS is auditing me — what should I do?
Do not ignore the notice, and be careful what you volunteer. An attorney can represent you, respond to the IRS, and keep the audit focused, which often limits the exposure compared with handling it alone.
Can the IRS take my wages or bank account?
Yes — through a levy or garnishment — but usually only after notices you can respond to. A lawyer can often stop or release a levy by arranging a resolution, which is why responding to early notices matters.
Does Texas have a state income tax problem to worry about?
No personal state income tax exists in Texas, so individual disputes are federal. Businesses, however, deal with the Texas franchise tax and sales and use tax through the state Comptroller, and an attorney can handle those too.
What is the difference between a lien and a levy?
A lien is a legal claim against your property securing a tax debt; a levy is the actual seizure of property or funds. A lien damages credit and clouds title; a levy takes money. Both can often be addressed by resolving the underlying debt.
How long do I have to respond to an IRS notice?
Each notice has its own deadline, and some — like a notice of deficiency — carry strict windows to preserve your right to challenge before paying. Read the date on the notice and act promptly; a lawyer can confirm what applies.
How do I choose between the firms on this list?
Match the firm to your problem and confirm credentials like U.S. Tax Court admission. Ask how many matters like yours they have resolved, and get the scope and fee in writing. Call two or three Plano-area firms and compare.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the profiles, check the credentials, and call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one how many matters like yours they have handled in Plano in the last three years. The answer tells you most of what you need to know. — The LawFirmSquare team
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