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Tax Law Attorneys in Texas

6 min read

  • 3 firms listed
  • 4 questions answered

Texas has no personal income tax, but businesses and individuals still face federal income and employment taxes, the Texas franchise tax, sales and use tax, and local property tax. A tax law attorney focuses on getting the structure and compliance right before problems arise: choosing entities, planning transactions, handling payroll and worker classification, managing state tax exposure, and advising when an issue may carry criminal risk.

When a dispute is already underway, such as an audit, an appeal, a Tax Court case, or IRS collection, the work shifts to tax controversy, covered in the guide to tax controversy attorneys in Texas. Many tax attorneys do both. Entity choice is covered in the guide to business formation attorneys in Texas.

What Tax Law Attorneys Handle

IRS Disputes and Audit Defense

Planning and documentation are the best audit defense. Tax attorneys help businesses keep the records and support that positions on credits, research expenditures, international transactions, and compensation require. Federal tax law changed in 2025 under Public Law 119-21, so positions taken on recent returns should be reviewed against the rules in effect for each year. When an examination starts, counsel can handle it or bring in controversy counsel.

Collection Defense and Debt Resolution

For businesses and individuals that already owe, tax attorneys evaluate options such as installment agreements, offers in compromise, currently not collectible status, penalty relief, and innocent spouse relief, and can request collection holds while an alternative is pursued. Before the IRS levies, it generally must give at least 30 days’ notice of the intent to levy and of the right to a Collection Due Process hearing, with exceptions such as jeopardy levies and levies on state tax refunds, where the hearing comes after the levy (26 U.S.C. § 6330(f)).

Business and Employment Tax Matters

Payroll taxes carry personal risk, because owners and officers responsible for withheld taxes can be assessed the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty. Attorneys advise on worker classification, payroll compliance, and entity and transaction structure. Most entities that do business in Texas are subject to the franchise tax; for report years 2026 and 2027, an entity with total revenue at or below $2,650,000 owes no tax but must still file a Public Information Report or Ownership Information Report, according to the Comptroller.

State and Local Tax Matters

Businesses selling taxable goods and services in Texas collect and remit sales and use tax, and Comptroller audits can cover several years with penalty and interest. Attorneys advise on taxability, exemptions, and nexus for out-of-state sellers. Local property tax disputes start with a protest to the appraisal review board, generally filed by May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal notice is delivered, whichever is later (Tax Code § 41.44).

How to Choose a Tax Law Attorney

Dual training. Attorneys who are also CPAs, or who hold an LL.M. in taxation, often combine accounting mechanics with legal analysis.

Tax Court admission. If a dispute is possible, ask whether the attorney is admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court.

Planning and controversy balance. Ask whether the attorney mainly plans transactions or handles disputes, and how the firm covers the other side.

Fee transparency. Ask for flat fees for defined work and an hourly estimate for open-ended matters before engagement.

Texas Tax Law Attorneys

Mixon Tax Law, PLLC

Location: Houston, Texas

Website: https://mixontaxlaw.com

Phone: (713) 814-4737

Phillip Mixon holds both CPA and law licenses, a rare dual qualification that enables integrated analysis of accounting issues alongside legal resolution strategies. His Big Four accounting background informs sophisticated tax planning while his litigation authority extends through federal Tax Court proceedings. The boutique firm focuses on IRS representation, audit defense, international tax compliance, and business tax controversies.

Practice Focus: IRS collection matters, federal tax audits and appeals, business and employment tax disputes, international tax compliance including FBAR and FATCA reporting

The Law Offices of Nemeth & Flores

Location: Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

Website: https://www.myirsteam.com

Phone: (972) 426-2553

This Dallas-based firm focuses on IRS tax resolution for individuals and businesses throughout North Texas. The attorneys handle tax debt resolution, audit responses, and collection matters. The firm emphasizes local, personalized service rather than the national chain model common in tax resolution.

Practice Focus: IRS notices and correspondence, audit representation, collection defense, wage garnishment and levy release, offers in compromise, installment agreements

Ansari Law Firm

Location: Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston (multiple Texas offices)

Website: https://ansaritax.com

Phone: (214) 503-2566

This multi-state business and tax law firm maintains offices throughout Texas to serve clients facing sales tax audits, franchise tax disputes, and IRS controversies. The firm has built particular expertise in Texas Comptroller matters, helping businesses navigate state-level tax obligations. Client reviews consistently highlight responsive communication and favorable audit outcomes.

Practice Focus: Texas sales tax audits and appeals, franchise tax disputes, IRS representation, business tax planning, multi-state tax compliance

Costs and Fees

Planning and compliance work, such as entity and transaction structuring or a franchise or sales tax review, is often priced as a flat fee for a defined scope or billed hourly. Collection resolution work is frequently quoted as a flat fee per stage. Complex or multi-year matters are usually hourly. Ask for a written engagement letter that sets out scope and fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I hire a tax attorney instead of using my CPA?

CPAs and enrolled agents can represent taxpayers before the IRS, including in audits, collection, and appeals (31 C.F.R. § 10.3). Consider a tax attorney when a notice signals a significant dispute, when there may be criminal exposure, when you need Tax Court or other litigation, or when you need privilege that extends beyond noncriminal tax matters. The federal tax practitioner privilege for CPAs and enrolled agents applies only to tax advice in noncriminal matters before the IRS and in noncriminal federal tax proceedings (26 U.S.C. § 7525).

Can a tax attorney really reduce what I owe the IRS?

Sometimes. Options include offers in compromise, penalty relief, challenging an assessment, and checking whether the assessment or collection period has run. An offer in compromise can be based on doubt as to collectibility, doubt as to liability, or effective tax administration, and each has different requirements. Results depend on the facts and documentation.

What happens if I ignore IRS notices?

The IRS can assess tax based on its own calculations and move toward collection, with penalties and interest growing. Before the first levy for a tax period, however, it generally must send a notice of intent to levy that gives you 30 days to request a Collection Due Process hearing (26 U.S.C. § 6330); for a few levy types, such as jeopardy levies, the hearing is offered after the levy instead. Missing deadlines narrows your options, but some remedies, such as an equivalent hearing requested within one year after the CDP notice or a refund suit after payment, may remain. Respond to notices promptly.

Does Texas have a state income tax?

No personal income tax. The Texas Constitution prohibits the Legislature from imposing a tax on the net incomes of individuals, including an individual’s share of partnership income (Article VIII, Section 24-a, added in 2019). Most businesses are subject to the franchise tax, which is based on margin, though many smaller businesses owe no franchise tax because their revenue is at or below the no-tax-due threshold.

Sources

Disclaimer: This directory is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, endorsement, or recommendation of any attorney or law firm. Information about attorneys and law firms was compiled from publicly available sources and may not be current or accurate. We make no representations or warranties about the qualifications, experience, or quality of any attorney listed. Always verify attorney credentials with the State Bar of Texas, confirm current contact information, and conduct your own due diligence before hiring legal counsel. No attorney-client relationship is created by use of this directory.