Washington · Tax debt relief scams
Tax debt relief scams in Washington
If a non-lawyer took your money in Washington — under the guise of tax debt relief scams — Washington law is on your side. Here's how the claim works.
Reviewed July 2026 by the FakeLawyerReport editorial team
Why this is illegal in Washington
'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.
Washington's UPL statute: RCW 2.48.180; APR 12
Practicing law in Washington without a WSBA license is a crime, and the Washington Supreme Court's Practice of Law Board investigates UPL complaints and can refer for prosecution.
Penalties in Washington
First violation: gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days and $5,000). Subsequent or aggravated violations: Class C felony (up to 5 years).
What you can recover
- A full refund of every dollar you paid.
- Statutory or civil damages under Washington's consumer-protection laws.
- Attorneys' fees in most cases — often no out-of-pocket cost.
- Referral to a licensed Washington attorney to try to fix the underlying case.
How to report tax debt relief scams in Washington
- File with Washington State Bar Association — the state bar's UPL committee.
- File a consumer complaint with the Washington Attorney General.
- Submit your case on this site for a free confidential review with a licensed Washington attorney who handles UPL recovery.
Related resources
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