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5 Best Tax Lawyers in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Lorian Hartfield
By Lorian Hartfield, Real Estate and Financial Expert · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

Chicago's tax lawyers split into two distinct groups: firms that fight the IRS over back taxes and audits, and firms that appeal Cook County property tax assessments, and mixing them up wastes a consultation. The Tax Defenders leads on volume with 217 reviews at 4.8 stars, handling IRS and Illinois tax debt, while three of the names on this page are actually property tax appeal specialists.

Short answer: For IRS and back tax issues, The Tax Defenders holds 4.8 stars from 217 reviews. For Cook County property tax appeals, Property Tax Solutions and Flanagan Bilton are the specialists, with Flanagan Bilton holding 4.8 stars and over 50 years focused specifically on reducing property assessments.
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Chicago's tax lawyers, compared

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 The Tax Defenders 4.8 ★ 217 IRS back taxes and audits View ›
2 Property Tax Solutions 4.7 ★ 170 Residential property tax appeals View ›
3 Brian J. Thompson, CPA and Attorney 4.6 ★ 30 IRS Fresh Start Program, real estate closings View ›
4 Flanagan Bilton 4.8 ★ 22 Commercial property tax appeals nationwide View ›
5 Sarnoff Property Tax 4.6 ★ 22 Property tax appeals for landlords and families View ›
5 Best Tax Lawyers in Chicago (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

The Tax Defenders logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

The Tax Defenders

4.8217 Google reviews

The Tax Defenders is a veteran-owned Chicago tax attorney firm with offices in the Loop, Oak Park, and Naperville, handling back tax negotiation, IRS collections, audits, and unfiled returns for both individuals and businesses since 2002. The firm reports over 19,000 clients helped and a BBB A+ rating. Reviewers describe named attorneys resolving complex IRS debt situations, including offers in compromise, with one review coming from a fellow attorney referring an elderly client's case.

What people praise

  • Deep, specific experience negotiating IRS offers in compromise
  • Multiple office locations across the Chicago area
  • Long track record with over 19,000 clients cited
  • Praised by other professionals, including a referring attorney

Worth knowing

  • A modest share of lower ratings among an otherwise strong review base
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume217 · 97th
Confidencehigh
Recency2 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown94% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed firm on this page and the clearest choice for genuine IRS debt or audit issues.

Website+1312-345-5440 Directions

125 S Wacker Dr Suite 303, Chicago, IL 60606

Property Tax Solutions logo
#2🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Property Tax Solutions

4.7170 Google reviews

Property Tax Solutions is a Cook County property tax advisory firm led by an attorney and CPA, helping homeowners appeal property tax assessment increases. This firm handles property tax appeals rather than IRS or income tax matters. Reviewers describe positive interactions at community events and small business expos, with staff members praised for approachability and helping clients understand the appeal process.

What people praise

  • Large, active review base for a property tax specialist
  • Approachable staff who explain the appeal process clearly
  • Automated system that carries appeals to the next available window
  • Free savings estimate available upfront

Worth knowing

  • Handles property tax appeals only, not IRS or income tax matters
  • A notable share of lower ratings within an otherwise strong pattern
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume170 · 91th
Confidencemoderate
Recency8 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown87% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Worth calling specifically for a Cook County property tax reassessment, not for IRS or income tax problems.

Website+1312-448-9992 Directions

180 W Washington St Ste 400, Chicago, IL 60602

Brian J. Thompson, CPA and Attorney logo
#3🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Brian J. Thompson, CPA and Attorney

4.630 Google reviews

Brian J. Thompson, CPA and Attorney is a solo Chicago tax lawyer and CPA offering IRS Fresh Start Program guidance, tax debt relief, unfiled return preparation, and some real estate closing support. Reviewers describe direct, personal service from Brian himself, resolving over a decade of unfiled returns for one client and helping others negotiate manageable IRS payment plans.

What people praise

  • Combines CPA and attorney credentials in one practitioner
  • Direct, personal service from a named attorney
  • Specific experience with IRS Fresh Start negotiations
  • Fair, reasonable pricing reviewers repeatedly cite

Worth knowing

  • Solo practice, so capacity may be more limited than larger firms
  • Smallest review base among the IRS-focused names on this page
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume30 · 84th
Confidenceearly
Recencyabout a year ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown87% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A strong personal option for IRS Fresh Start negotiations, especially if you want a single point of contact who is both a CPA and attorney.

Website+1773-307-0181 Directions

203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601

Flanagan Bilton logo
#4🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Flanagan Bilton

4.822 Google reviews

Flanagan Bilton is a national property tax law firm based in Chicago's Loop, with over 50 years of experience reducing real estate property taxes for commercial and residential owners across the country. It's worth noting this firm specializes in property tax assessment appeals, not IRS or personal income tax matters. Reviewers include commercial real estate developers and mortgage brokers who rely on the firm for underwriting and multi-state assessment appeals.

What people praise

  • Deep specialization in property tax appeals specifically
  • National reach with local relationships with assessors
  • Trusted by commercial developers and mortgage brokers
  • Over 50 years of firm history

Worth knowing

  • Focused on property tax appeals, not IRS or personal income tax issues
  • Smaller, older review base than The Tax Defenders
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume22 · 69th
Confidenceearly
Recency2 years ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown95% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The specialist to call if your issue is a property tax assessment, not an IRS matter.

Website+1312-782-5000 Directions

1 N LaSalle St #2100, Chicago, IL 60602

Sarnoff Property Tax logo
#5🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Sarnoff Property Tax

4.622 Google reviews

Sarnoff Property Tax is a Chicago-based property tax law firm operating since 1986, focused on reducing real estate taxes for Illinois property owners, including families managing multiple buildings. This is another property tax appeal specialist rather than an IRS or income tax firm. Reviewers frequently mention a named attorney managing appeals for realtors' clients and long-term family property portfolios.

What people praise

  • Nearly 40 years of property tax appeal experience
  • Named attorney praised for reliability across long-term client relationships
  • Trusted by realtors for client referrals
  • Free consultations offered upfront

Worth knowing

  • Handles property tax appeals only, not IRS or income tax matters
  • Smallest review base on this page
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume22 · 69th
Confidenceearly
Recency4 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown91% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A trusted long-term option for property tax appeals, particularly for landlords managing multiple properties.

Website+1312-782-8310 Directions

100 N LaSalle St 10th Floor, Chicago, IL 60602

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How we score

Rating is the live Google average. Review volume measures how many clients actually left a review, ranked against others in the same search. Confidence weights the rating by that volume, since a rating from over 200 reviews carries more certainty than one from 20. Recency checks how recently people are still leaving reviews. No firm can pay to change any of these numbers.

How much do tax lawyers cost in Chicago? (2026)

IRS resolution firms often charge flat fees for specific services like an offer in compromise, while property tax appeal firms frequently work on a contingency basis tied to your actual tax savings. Ask each firm directly which model applies to your situation.

Serving all of Chicago

These firms are based across the Loop, from Wacker Drive and LaSalle Street to Washington Street, with several also serving Oak Park, Naperville, and the broader Chicagoland area. If you’re searching tax lawyers near me anywhere in Chicago, confirm whether you need IRS help or a property tax appeal before booking.

What to ask before you hire a tax lawyer

  • Does your firm handle IRS matters, property tax appeals, or both?
  • Is your fee flat, hourly, or based on a percentage of savings?
  • Have you handled cases similar to mine before?
  • What is the realistic timeline for resolving my situation?
  • Do you offer a free consultation or savings estimate upfront?
  • Who will be my main point of contact throughout the process?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these tax lawyers?

We pulled real Google Business Profile data for firms appearing under tax lawyers in Chicago and ranked them by rating, review volume, and recency of reviews.

How often is this list updated?

We refresh this page periodically using live Google data. It was last verified in August 2026.

What’s the difference between an IRS tax lawyer and a property tax appeal firm?

IRS tax lawyers handle federal tax debt, audits, and unfiled returns. Property tax appeal firms specifically challenge Cook County assessments to lower your property tax bill. Several firms on this list specialize in one or the other.

How often can I appeal my Cook County property tax assessment?

Cook County reassesses properties on a triennial cycle, and owners typically get more than one window to appeal, first with the township assessor and then with the Board of Review.

The bottom line

For IRS debt or audit issues, The Tax Defenders is the safest default given its review volume and specific IRS negotiation experience. For a Cook County property tax appeal, Flanagan Bilton’s decades of specialization stand out.

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