The Texas IOLTA Trust Account Registration is the official notice every Texas attorney sends to the Texas Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF) and the State Bar of Texas when opening an interest-bearing client trust account under Rule 1.14 of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. The registration tells the Foundation which bank holds your IOLTA account, who the responsible attorney is, and confirms the account uses the Foundation’s tax identification number so interest flows to legal aid.
Failing to register an IOLTA account, or registering it with the wrong tax ID, is one of the most common reasons attorneys land in front of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel. Texas has more than 100,000 active attorneys, and IOLTA-funded grants pour over $20 million each year into civil legal aid for low-income Texans, which is why the Supreme Court of Texas treats this paperwork as mandatory and not optional.
Here is what this guide covers:
- 📝 How to fill in every field of the IOLTA Notice to Financial Institution form line by line
- 🏦 Which Texas banks qualify as Eligible Institutions and Prime Partners
- ⏰ Deadlines, the 10-day rule, and what happens if you miss them
- 👩⚖️ Three real walkthroughs covering solo, lateral, and multi-account filers
- ⚠️ The mistakes that trigger overdraft reports and grievance complaints
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The IOLTA Trust Account Registration is the short-form notice that links your client trust account to the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, the nonprofit that administers the IOLTA program for the Supreme Court of Texas. The current form is the IOLTA Notice to Financial Institution, and the downloadable PDF lives on the Foundation’s website. Every Texas attorney who holds money belonging to a client or a third person must file this notice the first time they open or change a trust account.
The duty comes from Rule 1.14 of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, which requires lawyers to keep client funds separate from personal or operating funds. IOLTA stands for Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts, and it applies to client money that is nominal in amount or held for a short period, where the cost of setting up an individual interest-bearing account would exceed the interest earned for the client. Larger or longer-held client funds go into a separate, client-specific interest-bearing trust account, not the IOLTA pool.
You must file the registration if you are a private practice attorney, including solo practitioners, partners in a firm, of-counsel attorneys who hold client funds, and out-of-state attorneys newly admitted to Texas who plan to receive retainers, settlement checks, or filing fees on behalf of clients. Government attorneys, in-house counsel, and attorneys who never touch client funds do not need to file, but the Foundation recommends a written exemption letter to avoid future questions during a State Bar of Texas trust account audit.
The registration is free, has no annual renewal, and stays on file as long as the account exists. If you change banks, change your firm name, or close the account, you must send a new notice within 10 days to keep your record current.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Trust account registration looks short on paper, but a missing piece of information can stall the bank from opening the account or cause the Foundation to reject the notice. Gather everything below before you sit down with your banker or open the TAJF online enrollment page.
- Your State Bar of Texas Bar Card Number. This is the eight-digit number printed on your bar card and on your My Bar Page profile, and the Foundation uses it to confirm you are in good standing.
- Your full legal name as it appears on your bar license. Nicknames or married names that do not match the State Bar roster will trigger a manual review.
- Your firm’s exact legal name and address. Sole proprietors use their own name; PLLCs and PCs use the entity name on file with the Texas Secretary of State.
- The TAJF Tax Identification Number. The IOLTA account uses the Foundation’s federal EIN, not yours, because the Foundation receives the interest.
- The bank’s full legal name, branch address, and routing number. The Foundation cross-checks this against its list of approved Eligible Institutions and Prime Partners.
- A completed IRS Form W-9 for the Foundation. The bank attaches this to its 1099-INT records so interest is reported to TAJF, not to you.
- Your firm’s employer identification number (EIN) if you have one. Solo practitioners without an EIN may use their Social Security number on internal bank paperwork, but never on the IOLTA Notice itself.
- A voided check or temporary check from the new account. This confirms the account title reads “[Attorney/Firm Name] IOLTA Trust Account” before you submit the notice.
- Email and phone for the responsible attorney. The Foundation uses these to send overdraft notifications and annual compliance letters.
- Your bank’s IOLTA contact person. Most Texas banks designate a single trust account officer, and naming that person speeds up signature card processing.
If any item is missing, the bank may open the account under your personal EIN by mistake, and that single error can convert a properly titled trust account into a taxable personal account in the eyes of the IRS.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official IOLTA Notice to Financial Institution form lives on the Texas Access to Justice Foundation website as a fillable PDF. You can download it directly from the TAJF attorney resources page, and the same page hosts the Notice of Closure form for when an account is shut down.
The State Bar of Texas does not host its own separate IOLTA registration form. Instead, the Bar relies on the Foundation’s notice and on the annual trust account certification question on your dues statement, which asks each attorney to confirm whether they hold client funds and where. You answer that question through your My Bar Page portal each year when you pay your bar dues.
Banks that participate in the program also keep a stack of pre-printed notice forms at their commercial banking desks. If you are walking into a TAJF Eligible Institution like Frost Bank, Texas Capital Bank, or Texas Security Bank, ask the trust account officer for the IOLTA Enrollment Packet, which combines the notice, the W-9, and the bank’s signature card.
If your bank does not currently hold IOLTA accounts, the bank itself must first register with the Foundation by emailing the TAJF Financial Institution program at the address listed on the Trust Accounts page. Until the bank gets a Foundation-issued bank code, no IOLTA account can be opened there, and any trust account opened in the meantime will technically be a non-IOLTA interest-bearing account. The current form revision is dated 2024, and the Foundation prints the revision date in the lower-left corner so you can confirm you have the latest version.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the IOLTA Notice to Financial Institution Line by Line
The notice is a single page divided into an Attorney/Firm section, a Financial Institution section, and a Signatures block. Each field is short, but each one matters because the Foundation uses them to build the master IOLTA database that feeds State Bar audits.
Field 1: Date of Notice
The first field is the date you sign the notice. Write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format using slashes, not dashes. For example, Maria Lopez writes 04/12/2026 on the day she signs the form at her bank’s commercial desk.
If you are mailing the form, use the date you actually sign, not the date you expect the bank to process it. The Foundation tracks the 10-day rule under Rule 1.14 from the date you sign, not from the date the bank stamps the document.
A common mistake here is writing the date the account was opened rather than the date of the notice itself; the consequence is a mismatch with the bank’s records that can delay your IOLTA bank code by several weeks. A frequent misconception is that the date can be left blank for the bank to fill in, but blank dates cause the Foundation to return the form unprocessed.
Field 2: Attorney or Law Firm Name
This field is the legal name attached to the trust account. Use your full name as it appears on your State Bar card, or if the account is in the firm’s name, use the exact entity name registered with the Texas Secretary of State. Do not abbreviate PLLC or PC.
For example, Carlos Reyes, attorney solo, writes “Carlos M. Reyes, Attorney at Law” because that is the d/b/a on his bank signature card. If he had formed a PLLC, he would instead write “Reyes Law PLLC.”
The most common mistake is using a marketing name like “Reyes Legal” that does not match the bank’s records, and the consequence is a rejected notice plus a request from the Foundation for proof of name matching. The misconception people hold is that the name on the form must match the lawyer’s bar card; in fact, it must match the account title at the bank, which may legitimately be the firm rather than the individual attorney.
Field 3: Mailing Address of Attorney or Firm
Enter the street address the firm uses for State Bar correspondence, including suite number, city, state, and ZIP. Do not write a P.O. Box alone; the Foundation needs a physical address for service of any compliance letters.
For example, Janet Carter writes “1200 Main Street, Suite 402, Dallas, TX 75202” because that is the address on her State Bar profile. If she also wants mail at a P.O. Box, she lists the street address first and adds the P.O. Box on the second address line.
A common mistake is using a home address that does not match the State Bar roster, which causes the Foundation to flag the file for residency verification. The misconception is that the address can be the bank branch’s address; it cannot, because the Foundation must reach the responsible attorney directly.
Field 4: Texas Bar Card Number
Write your eight-digit Bar Card Number without dashes or spaces. New attorneys often confuse the Bar Card Number with the SBOT Member ID; on most modern bar cards the two are identical, but if your card lists a separate license number, use the Bar Card Number.
For example, Aisha Patel, licensed in 2023, enters “24139876” exactly as printed on her card. She does not add leading zeros if the number is already eight digits.
The most common mistake is typing the Texas attorney number from a CLE certificate, which is a different internal identifier; the consequence is the Foundation cannot verify your good-standing status. The misconception is that bar number changes when you change firms; it does not, because the bar number is permanently tied to you, not your employer.
Field 5: Telephone Number and Email of Responsible Attorney
Enter a direct line and a monitored email for the attorney who controls the account. The Foundation uses this contact for overdraft notification reports, which Texas banks are required to send under the Trust Account Overdraft Notification Rule.
For example, Marcus Chen writes “(214) 555-0190” and “marcus@chenlawtx.com” and confirms the email forwards to his phone for same-day alerts. Group inboxes are allowed but discouraged for solo practitioners.
The common mistake is using a paralegal’s email; if an overdraft notice arrives and the paralegal is on vacation, the attorney may not respond within the three-day cure window, and the Foundation forwards the matter to the Chief Disciplinary Counsel. The misconception is that overdraft notices are private; they are not, because Rule 1.14 makes them automatically reportable.
Field 6: Financial Institution Name
Enter the legal name of the bank, not the marketing name or the holding company. For example, the legal name “Frost Bank” is correct, while “Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.” is the holding company and would be wrong.
For example, Diane Walker writes “Texas Security Bank” because that is the chartered institution holding the account, even though her local branch sign reads “TSB Uptown.” If the bank recently merged, use the post-merger legal name.
The common mistake is listing the holding company, which causes the Foundation’s eligibility check to fail because holding companies are not chartered depository institutions. The misconception is that any FDIC-insured bank qualifies; only banks on the TAJF Eligible Institution list qualify, which is a subset of FDIC-insured banks.
Field 7: Branch Address
Write the physical address of the branch where the account is opened, including street, city, state, and ZIP. The branch address must be inside Texas unless the client has consented in writing to an out-of-state location.
For example, Carlos Reyes lists “500 W. 5th Street, Austin, TX 78701” because that is the downtown Austin branch where he met his banker. He does not list the corporate headquarters in San Antonio.
The common mistake is listing the corporate headquarters; the consequence is delayed mail because Foundation correspondence routes to the wrong office. The misconception is that branch address does not matter once the account is open; it does, because the Foundation cross-checks branch routing numbers against its bank code list.
Field 8: Account Title
The account must be titled in the form “[Attorney or Firm Name] IOLTA Trust Account” or “[Attorney or Firm Name] Trust Account – IOLTA.” The words “IOLTA” and “Trust” must both appear on the account title and on every check.
For example, Aisha Patel’s account title reads “Patel Family Law PLLC IOLTA Trust Account.” That phrase appears on her checks, deposit slips, and monthly statements, so any auditor sees instantly that the account is a trust account.
The most common mistake is omitting the word “Trust” from the title, which lets creditors potentially reach the funds because the account looks like a regular business account. The misconception is that “Escrow” can be used in place of “Trust”; under Rule 1.14, escrow is acceptable, but TAJF prefers trust because it matches the IOLTA program’s statutory name.
Field 9: Account Number
Write the full account number assigned by the bank, with no dashes or spaces. Double-check it against the voided check rather than relying on the banker’s spoken number.
For example, Marcus Chen writes “1004597823” exactly as it appears on his check stock. He does not add the routing number in this field.
The common mistake is transposing two digits, which results in the Foundation tracking interest from the wrong account; the consequence is a year-end discrepancy that can take months to fix. The misconception is that the account number is confidential and cannot be shared on the form; it must be shared, because the Foundation’s bank-code system relies on it.
Field 10: Tax Identification Number (TAJF EIN)
This is the single most important box on the entire form. Enter the Texas Access to Justice Foundation’s federal EIN, not your own. The Foundation publishes its EIN inside the How to Open an IOLTA Account guide and on the W-9 it sends with the enrollment packet.
For example, Diane Walker copies the TAJF EIN directly from the W-9 the Foundation provided rather than guessing or pulling a number from her firm records. She then attaches the W-9 to the bank’s signature card.
The common mistake is using the firm’s EIN or the attorney’s SSN in this field, which causes the bank to issue a 1099-INT to the attorney and creates a phantom tax liability. The misconception is that using the lawyer’s EIN is a “neutral” choice; it is not, because the IOLTA program is structured so that the Foundation, not the lawyer, is the tax-recognized owner of the interest.
Field 11: Bank Officer Name and Signature
The bank’s authorized officer signs to confirm the account is open, interest-bearing, and remitting interest to TAJF net of allowable service charges. The officer prints their name, title, phone, and signs in ink.
For example, Texas Security Bank’s vice president Lila Ramirez signs as “Lila Ramirez, VP, Commercial Banking” and adds her direct line. Electronic signatures are accepted if the bank’s policy allows them.
The common mistake is letting a teller sign instead of a designated trust account officer; the Foundation will reject signatures from staff without authority over deposit accounts. The misconception is that the bank’s signature is a formality; in reality, it is the bank’s binding promise to comply with TAJF eligibility rules on rate comparability and remittance.
Field 12: Attorney Signature
The responsible attorney signs and dates last. The signature must be in ink if you are mailing the paper form, or applied through a recognized e-sign platform if filing electronically.
For example, Carlos Reyes signs “Carlos M. Reyes” and dates “04/12/2026” directly under the bank officer’s signature. He keeps a scanned copy for his firm’s compliance file.
The common mistake is letting an associate or paralegal sign on the attorney’s behalf; only the attorney whose name appears in Field 2 may sign, and a substitute signature voids the notice. The misconception is that the signature can be added later after the bank submits the form; if the attorney’s signature is missing, the Foundation cannot link the account to a real lawyer and will return the form.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Solo Attorney Opening Her First IOLTA at Frost Bank
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Date of Notice | 04/12/2026 |
| Attorney or Firm Name | Maria E. Lopez, Attorney at Law |
| Mailing Address | 815 Brazos Street, Suite 500, Austin, TX 78701 |
| Texas Bar Card Number | 24145678 |
| Phone and Email | (512) 555-0144 / maria@lopezlegaltx.com |
| Financial Institution | Frost Bank |
| Branch Address | 401 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 |
| Account Title | Maria E. Lopez, Attorney at Law IOLTA Trust Account |
| Account Number | 2200543189 |
| Tax ID Number | TAJF EIN as listed on the TAJF W-9 |
| Bank Officer | J. Patel, VP Commercial Banking |
| Attorney Signature | Maria E. Lopez, 04/12/2026 |
Scenario 2: Reyes Law PLLC Adding a Second IOLTA After Opening a Family Law Division
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Date of Notice | 05/03/2026 |
| Attorney or Firm Name | Reyes Law PLLC |
| Mailing Address | 1200 Main Street, Suite 402, Dallas, TX 75202 |
| Texas Bar Card Number | 24112233 |
| Phone and Email | (214) 555-0190 / carlos@reyeslaw.com |
| Financial Institution | Texas Capital Bank |
| Branch Address | 2000 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, TX 75201 |
| Account Title | Reyes Law PLLC Family Law IOLTA Trust Account |
| Account Number | 3098712455 |
| Tax ID Number | TAJF EIN per TAJF instructions |
| Bank Officer | D. Nguyen, SVP Trust Services |
| Attorney Signature | Carlos M. Reyes, 05/03/2026 |
Scenario 3: Aisha Patel, Out-of-State Attorney Newly Admitted in Texas Converting Her Trust Account
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Date of Notice | 06/15/2026 |
| Attorney or Firm Name | Patel Family Law PLLC |
| Mailing Address | 7700 San Felipe Street, Suite 250, Houston, TX 77063 |
| Texas Bar Card Number | 24139876 |
| Phone and Email | (713) 555-0177 / aisha@patelfamilylaw.com |
| Financial Institution | Texas Security Bank |
| Branch Address | 3838 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, TX 75219 |
| Account Title | Patel Family Law PLLC IOLTA Trust Account |
| Account Number | 4419023871 |
| Tax ID Number | TAJF EIN from the enrollment packet |
| Bank Officer | L. Ramirez, VP Commercial Banking |
| Attorney Signature | Aisha R. Patel, 06/15/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
The Foundation accepts the IOLTA Notice through three channels, and the bank usually drives the submission, but every attorney should keep their own copy in case the bank’s mailing goes astray. Use the channel that fits your bank’s workflow and your firm’s compliance habits.
By Mail. Send the signed original to Texas Access to Justice Foundation, P.O. Box 12886, Austin, Texas 78711-2886. There is no filing fee. Use first-class mail with tracking, and expect processing in two to three weeks based on the TAJF enrollment workflow. Keep the certified-mail receipt as your proof of filing.
By Fax. Fax the signed notice to 512.469.0112, the Foundation’s dedicated IOLTA fax line listed on the How to Open an IOLTA page. Faxed forms typically post within 5 to 7 business days. Keep the fax confirmation page as proof.
By Email or Bank Submission. Many Eligible Institutions submit the notice on behalf of the lawyer through a secure email or portal upload. There is still no fee. Processing usually takes 3 to 5 business days. Ask the bank for a confirmation email, and forward it into your firm’s compliance folder.
State Bar Annual Dues Statement. Even after the Foundation processes the notice, you must confirm the account on your annual State Bar dues statement through My Bar Page. The dues statement asks whether you hold client funds and where, and your answer must match the IOLTA Notice on file. Failure to update the dues statement is a separate, independent violation of Rule 1.14.
What Happens After You File
Once the Foundation receives the notice, it logs the account into the master IOLTA database, assigns the account a unique TAJF tracking ID, and sends the bank a confirmation that interest remittance can begin. The bank starts paying interest, net of allowable service charges, directly to the Foundation each month, which is why you never see the interest hit your books.
You will receive a welcome letter from TAJF confirming enrollment, usually within 30 days. The letter lists the responsible attorney, the firm name, the bank, and the account number on file. Review the letter immediately; if anything is wrong, send a corrected notice within 10 days to avoid mismatched records during a future State Bar trust account audit.
After enrollment, the Foundation monitors the account for compliance. If the account ever overdraws, the bank is required by Rule 1.14 to send the Foundation an Overdraft Notification Report within five business days. The Foundation forwards repeated or unexplained overdrafts to the Chief Disciplinary Counsel for investigation, which can lead to a private reprimand, public reprimand, or suspension depending on the severity.
Each year, the Foundation cross-references its IOLTA database with the State Bar dues roster. If your dues statement says you do not hold client funds but the database shows an active IOLTA, you will receive a written request to reconcile, and an unanswered request becomes a referral to the Chief Disciplinary Counsel. Keeping your registration accurate, year after year, is the simplest way to stay out of the disciplinary system.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Trust account discipline cases overwhelmingly start with paperwork errors, not with intentional misconduct. Watch for the mistakes below; each one can convert a clean account into a grievance file.
- Using your own EIN or SSN in the Tax ID field. This causes the bank to issue a 1099-INT to you, creating phantom income.
- Skipping the word “Trust” in the account title. Without it, the account looks like a business account to creditors.
- Listing the bank holding company instead of the chartered bank. The Foundation cannot verify eligibility of holding companies.
- Using a P.O. Box without a street address. The Foundation needs a physical address for service of compliance letters.
- Letting a non-attorney sign Field 12. The notice is void if anyone other than the responsible attorney signs.
- Filing more than 10 days after opening the account. Rule 1.14’s prompt notice standard treats anything beyond 10 days as late.
- Forgetting to attach the TAJF W-9 to the bank’s signature card. Without it, the bank cannot route interest correctly.
- Choosing a bank that is not on the Eligible Institution list. Non-eligible banks cannot remit interest to TAJF.
- Writing your bar number with leading zeros it does not have. Mismatched bar numbers fail the State Bar good-standing check.
- Mixing IOLTA funds with operating funds. Even a single misplaced deposit triggers commingling, a per se Rule 1.14 violation.
- Not updating the notice when you change banks. The old account stays linked to your record, and the new one looks unregistered.
- Forgetting to confirm the account on your annual dues statement. A mismatch flags your file for audit.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do use the TAJF EIN in Field 10. It is the only reason the IOLTA pool stays tax-exempt for you.
- Do reconcile the account monthly. The State Bar trust account guidance treats monthly reconciliation as the minimum standard.
- Do keep five years of records. Rule 1.14 requires preservation for five years past the end of the representation.
- Do file a fresh notice within 10 days when anything changes. Bank, name, or signer changes all trigger a new filing.
- Do confirm your bank is on the Eligible Institution list before opening the account. The list updates often, so check the TAJF page directly.
- Do save your filing proof. Certified mail receipts, fax confirmations, and bank emails are your defense if the Foundation later says it never received the notice.
Don’ts
- Don’t deposit retainers labeled “non-refundable” into the IOLTA. True non-refundable retainers belong in your operating account.
- Don’t pay personal or firm bills from the IOLTA. Even one wrongful payment can trigger suspension.
- Don’t use “convenience” features like overdraft protection or sweep accounts. They convert IOLTA funds into other instruments and break Rule 1.14.
- Don’t rely on your bank to file the notice without confirmation. Banks are reliable but not infallible; verify with TAJF.
- Don’t share the IOLTA debit card. Most TAJF Eligible Institutions disable debit features by default; if yours does not, request the disable in writing.
- Don’t ignore the annual State Bar dues question about trust accounts. A misanswer is a separate disciplinary violation.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most attorneys file the IOLTA Notice themselves with help from their banker, but firms with multiple offices or complex fee arrangements sometimes hire a compliance consultant. Both paths are legitimate; the right choice depends on your comfort level and risk tolerance.
Pros of Filing on Your Own
- Cost. Filing is free, and you avoid consultant fees of $300 to $1,000 per account.
- Speed. A solo attorney with all documents in hand can finish the form in 15 minutes.
- Direct relationship with your banker. The trust account officer becomes your first call when questions arise.
- Better understanding of the rules. Doing it yourself forces you to read Rule 1.14 and the Lawyer’s Guide to Client Trust Accounts.
- Easier renewal and updates. If you filed it once, you know what to update when banks change.
Cons of Filing on Your Own
- Risk of overlooking the EIN field. This is the single most expensive error and an easy one to miss.
- No second pair of eyes on title and signatory fields. Errors slip through when you self-review.
- Time spent learning the Eligible Institution rules. Researching bank eligibility eats an afternoon for new attorneys.
- No system for ongoing monitoring. Solo attorneys who file once often forget to update the notice for years.
- No defense help if a grievance is filed. Compliance consultants often double as expert witnesses if a case opens.
Texas IOLTA Account vs. Non-IOLTA Trust Account
| Feature | IOLTA Trust Account |
|---|---|
| Type of client funds held | Nominal in amount or short-term, per TAJF rules |
| Tax ID on the account | Texas Access to Justice Foundation EIN |
| Where interest goes | TAJF, to fund civil legal aid |
| Required form | IOLTA Notice to Financial Institution |
| Bank eligibility | Must be on the TAJF Eligible Institution list |
| Disciplinary rule source | Rule 1.14, Tex. Disciplinary Rules |
| Annual fee | None |
| Recordkeeping | Five years past representation |
FAQs
Do I have to register if I never hold client money?
No. Attorneys who never receive client or third-party funds do not open an IOLTA. Confirm your status on your annual State Bar dues statement to avoid an audit flag.
Is there a fee to register?
No. The Texas Access to Justice Foundation charges nothing for IOLTA registration, and Texas banks on the Eligible Institution list cannot pass setup fees through to you.
Do I write my own EIN in the Tax ID box?
No. The Tax ID field must show the Texas Access to Justice Foundation’s EIN, not yours, because TAJF receives the interest and the related tax reporting.
Should I write my Bar Card Number with dashes?
No. Enter the eight-digit Bar Card Number with no dashes or spaces so the Foundation’s automated lookup can match you to the State Bar roster.
Can I list a P.O. Box as my mailing address?
No. The Foundation needs a physical street address, but you can add a P.O. Box on a second line for actual mail delivery.
Is my signature required even if the bank submits the form?
Yes. The attorney named in Field 2 must personally sign Field 12, and a missing signature voids the notice.
Does an out-of-state attorney newly licensed in Texas have to register?
Yes. Once you are admitted in Texas and hold client funds in connection with a Texas representation, Rule 1.14 applies and you must file the notice.
Can I use any FDIC-insured bank?
No. Only banks on the Foundation’s Eligible Institution list can hold a Texas IOLTA, even though all qualifying banks are FDIC-insured.
Do I need a new notice if I change banks?
Yes. Changing banks requires a new IOLTA Notice within 10 days, plus a Notice of Closure for the prior account.
Can my paralegal sign for me on the form?
No. Only the responsible attorney listed in Field 2 may sign; a paralegal’s signature invalidates the notice.
Is the IOLTA account interest taxable to me?
No. The interest is paid to the Foundation under its EIN, so the bank does not issue you a 1099-INT for the IOLTA balance.
Do I have to confirm the account every year?
Yes. Your annual State Bar dues statement asks whether you hold client funds and where, and your answer must match the active IOLTA Notice on file with TAJF.
What if I made a typo in the account number?
Yes, you must file a corrected notice within 10 days; otherwise the Foundation tracks interest to the wrong account and your file gets flagged.
Can I keep client funds in a personal savings account temporarily?
No. Even one day in a personal account is commingling under Rule 1.14 and can result in suspension.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Texas Statutory Durable Power of Attorney + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Bar IOTA Trust Account Registration (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan IOLTA Trust Account Registration + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Pennsylvania IOLTA Trust Account Registration (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Massachusetts IOLTA Trust Account Registration (Notice of Enrollment) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Georgia IOLTA Trust Account Registration (GA) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the State Bar of Arizona Annual Registration + FAQs