Texas · Tax debt relief scams
Tax debt relief scams in Texas
If a non-lawyer took your money in Texas — under the guise of tax debt relief scams — Texas law is on your side. Here's how the claim works.
Reviewed July 2026 by the FakeLawyerReport editorial team
Why this is illegal in Texas
'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.
Texas's UPL statute: Tex. Gov't Code § 81.101; Tex. Penal Code § 38.123
Texas defines the practice of law broadly and makes falsely holding yourself out as a lawyer a criminal offense. The Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee (UPLC), appointed by the Texas Supreme Court, investigates and can sue for injunctions and restitution.
Penalties in Texas
Class A misdemeanor (up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine); state jail felony on a repeat offense.
What you can recover
- A full refund of every dollar you paid.
- Statutory or civil damages under Texas's consumer-protection laws.
- Attorneys' fees in most cases — often no out-of-pocket cost.
- Referral to a licensed Texas attorney to try to fix the underlying case.
How to report tax debt relief scams in Texas
- File with State Bar of Texas — the state bar's UPL committee.
- File a consumer complaint with the Texas Attorney General.
- Submit your case on this site for a free confidential review with a licensed Texas attorney who handles UPL recovery.
Related resources
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