Massachusetts · Tax debt relief scams
Tax debt relief scams in Massachusetts
If a non-lawyer took your money in Massachusetts — under the guise of tax debt relief scams — Massachusetts law is on your side. Here's how the claim works.
Reviewed July 2026 by the FakeLawyerReport editorial team
Why this is illegal in Massachusetts
'Tax attorney' pitches from unlicensed firms — Offer in Compromise, IRS negotiation, wage-garnishment fixes — are one of the most common UPL scams. Refunds are recoverable.
Massachusetts's UPL statute: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 221, §§ 41, 46, 46A
Massachusetts prohibits anyone not admitted by the Supreme Judicial Court from practicing law, holding themselves out as an attorney, or preparing legal documents for others.
Penalties in Massachusetts
Fine up to $500 and/or up to 6 months in jail per violation; the SJC and BBO can also seek civil injunctions and restitution.
What you can recover
- A full refund of every dollar you paid.
- Statutory or civil damages under Massachusetts's consumer-protection laws.
- Attorneys' fees in most cases — often no out-of-pocket cost.
- Referral to a licensed Massachusetts attorney to try to fix the underlying case.
How to report tax debt relief scams in Massachusetts
- File with Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers — the state bar's UPL committee.
- File a consumer complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General.
- Submit your case on this site for a free confidential review with a licensed Massachusetts attorney who handles UPL recovery.
Related resources
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