Fort Worth · TX · Vetted Directory

Top Tax & IRS Lawyers in Fort Worth

The IRS is auditing you, has filed a lien, is threatening to levy your bank account or wages, or you have years of unfiled returns, and you want a Fort Worth tax lawyer to deal with it. Because Texas has no state income tax, almost every tax problem here is federal, which means the IRS, the U.S. Tax Court, and federal deadlines. Below are vetted Fort Worth firms that handle audits, back taxes, liens, levies, and settlements, most offering a free or low-cost first consultation.

No state tax
Texas has no state income tax
U.S. Tax Court
Where you dispute the IRS
$250-$500
Typical hourly rate
10 years
IRS collection time limit

Updated June 4, 2026

When you need a Fort Worth tax & irs lawyer

A tax lawyer steps between you and the IRS. They handle audits, fight or negotiate tax debt, stop or release liens and levies, file back returns, and represent you in U.S. Tax Court if a dispute cannot be settled. Unlike a CPA, a tax attorney can litigate and protect your communications with attorney-client privilege, which matters when penalties or criminal exposure are on the table.

A Fort Worth tax lawyer responds to IRS notices, requests audit reconsideration or appeals, negotiates installment agreements and offers in compromise, and files Tax Court petitions when needed. Because Texas has no state income tax, your lawyer focuses on federal IRS matters and, for businesses, the Texas franchise tax.

Talk to a Fort Worth lawyer who handles this if any of the following fits your situation.

  • The IRS is auditing you or your business.
  • You owe back taxes you cannot pay all at once.
  • The IRS filed a tax lien or threatened to levy your accounts or wages.
  • You have several years of unfiled tax returns.
  • You received a notice of deficiency and have a deadline to respond.
  • You want to settle tax debt through an offer in compromise.
  • You are facing trust-fund or payroll-tax penalties as a business owner.
  • You are worried an audit could turn into a criminal investigation.
  • You disagree with an IRS decision and may need to go to Tax Court.

How a Fort Worth IRS matter actually moves

Step 1 is reviewing the IRS notices and pulling your account transcripts to see exactly what the IRS thinks you owe and why. Step 2: stop the bleeding, requesting a hold on collection, releasing a wrongful levy, or setting up a short-term plan. Step 3: fix the underlying problem, filing back returns, challenging an audit, or building an offer in compromise or installment agreement. Step 4: if the dispute cannot be resolved with the IRS, file a petition in the U.S. Tax Court within the deadline on your notice. Step 5: resolution, a payment plan, a settlement, or a litigated outcome.

What this typically costs in Fort Worth

$250-$500
Typical hourly rate
$2,500-$6,000
Offer in compromise / settlement work
Per matter
Audit representation
Free / paid
Initial consult varies

Fort Worth tax lawyers commonly bill $250 to $500 an hour. Defined projects are often flat-fee or quoted per matter: an offer in compromise or structured settlement frequently runs $2,500 to $6,000, while audit representation and Tax Court work depend on complexity. Be cautious with national tax-relief companies that promise to settle pennies on the dollar; a local attorney will give you a straight assessment first. Ask for a clear fee estimate before you commit.

What is specific about tax problems in Texas

  • No state income tax. Texas has no state income tax, so nearly all individual tax disputes here are federal IRS matters rather than state ones.
  • Businesses face the franchise tax. Texas businesses may owe the state franchise (margin) tax administered by the Texas Comptroller, a separate issue from federal income tax.
  • Disputes go to the U.S. Tax Court. If you cannot resolve a deficiency with the IRS, you petition the U.S. Tax Court, which holds sessions in Texas, generally within 90 days of a notice of deficiency.
  • Refund suits go to federal court. Some tax cases proceed as refund suits in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, which sits in Fort Worth, or the Court of Federal Claims.
  • The IRS has a 10-year collection window. The IRS generally has ten years to collect an assessed tax, a deadline that affects strategy on installment agreements and offers in compromise.

Fort Worth firms that handle tax & IRS matters

Updated June 4, 2026. Verified across Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, FindLaw, and firm records. We do not accept payment for placement. Where a firm's aggregate client rating is not yet compiled, we say so rather than invent one.

1

Brown, PC

Tax controversy & litigationFort WorthBoutique tax firm

A Fort Worth boutique focused on tax controversy, led by Lawrence Brown, a former Department of Justice Tax Division trial attorney, handling civil and high-stakes IRS matters. A strong fit for serious audits, disputes, and cases with criminal exposure.

Free ConsultationTax ControversyIRS LitigationCriminal Tax
2

Law Offices of Christy Lee, P.C.

IRS tax issuesFort WorthSince 2009

A firm that has helped Fort Worth individuals and business owners with IRS problems since 2009, from straightforward mistakes to criminal proceedings. A fit for taxpayers who want experienced help across the range of IRS issues.

Free ConsultationIRS AuditsTax DebtResolution
3

David Coffin PLLC

Tax debt & IRS collectionsFort WorthCollections focus

A Fort Worth firm helping residents settle tax debt and respond to IRS collection suits, including installment agreements, audits, collections, and appeals. A fit for taxpayers focused on resolving back taxes and stopping collection.

Free ConsultationTax DebtInstallment PlansAppeals
4

Law Offices of Nemeth & Flores

Tax relief & IRS issuesFort WorthTax-resolution practice

A firm offering a range of tax services, including IRS audits, tax-debt relief, unfiled returns, and levy and lien help. A fit for taxpayers who want one firm to handle audits, back taxes, and collection problems together.

Free ConsultationIRS AuditsLevies & LiensUnfiled Returns
5

Dismuke & Waters, P.C.

Tax lawFort WorthExperienced practitioner

A Fort Worth firm where attorney William L. Dismuke handles Texas and federal tax matters for individuals and businesses. A fit for clients who want an experienced local attorney for audits and tax disputes.

Free ConsultationTax DisputesIRS AuditsBusiness Tax

Talk to a Fort Worth tax & irs lawyer — free.

Tell us briefly what you need. We route a confidential request to a best-fit Fort Worth firm in this directory. No obligation, and most offer a free first consultation.

Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship. Do not send confidential documents until you have signed an engagement letter.

Tax & IRS in Fort Worth — FAQ

Do I need a tax lawyer or a CPA for an IRS problem?
A CPA is great for preparing returns, but a tax lawyer can litigate, negotiate settlements, and protect your communications with attorney-client privilege. When you face an audit dispute, large penalties, or any criminal exposure, a tax attorney is the safer choice.
How much does a Fort Worth tax lawyer cost?
Commonly $250 to $500 an hour. Defined work is often flat-fee or quoted per matter, with an offer in compromise or settlement frequently running $2,500 to $6,000. Audit representation and Tax Court work depend on complexity. Ask for a clear estimate up front.
Can I really settle my IRS debt for less than I owe?
Sometimes, through an offer in compromise, but only if you genuinely cannot pay the full amount and you meet the IRS criteria. Be wary of national companies promising pennies-on-the-dollar settlements; a local attorney will tell you honestly whether you qualify.
The IRS sent a notice of deficiency. What is my deadline?
You generally have 90 days from the date on a notice of deficiency to file a petition in the U.S. Tax Court. Missing that deadline usually means losing the chance to dispute the tax before paying it, so act quickly.
Does Texas have a state income tax I need to worry about?
No. Texas has no state income tax, so individual tax problems here are almost always federal IRS matters. Businesses, however, may owe the Texas franchise (margin) tax administered by the state Comptroller.
How long can the IRS collect a tax debt?
Generally ten years from the date the tax was assessed, known as the collection statute. That window shapes strategy on payment plans and offers, which is one reason a lawyer pulls your account transcripts before deciding what to do.

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