Frequently Asked Questions About DAWSON


DAWSON: The Basics


What is DAWSON?

The U.S. Tax Court’s case management system, DAWSON (Docket Access Within a Secure Online Network), is an electronic filing and case management system designed to make it easier for parties and the Court to start a Tax Court case, file and process documents, and manage cases.


Will additional features be added to DAWSON?

  • Additional features and system enhancements to DAWSON will be rolled out on an ongoing basis.
  • The version of DAWSON launched on December 28, 2020, prioritized functionality necessary for parties to manage their cases and for the Court to operate efficiently.
  • Check the Court’s website for up-to-date information, including release notes.


How much does it cost to use DAWSON?

  • DAWSON is free to all users.
  • Parties have free access to their cases with no limit on their ability to download files from their cases.
  • Non-parties have free access to docket records, orders, and opinions in unsealed cases.


How do I access DAWSON?

DAWSON can be accessed from a computer, smartphone, or tablet by going to the Court’s website or to https://dawson.ustaxcourt.gov/.


How do I check to see if DAWSON is working properly?

For information regarding system status, please visit https://status.ustaxcourt.gov/.


Do I need special software to access DAWSON?

No. DAWSON is web-based, so all you need is access to the internet and a current internet browser.


Is DAWSON compatible with all internet browsers?

DAWSON is compatible with most up-to-date browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari. It is not compatible with outdated browsers such as Internet Explorer.


Technical Questions?

For assistance with DAWSON, view the FAQs and other materials here. To contact the Webmaster for technical issues or problems with the website, send an email to webmaster@ustaxcourt.gov. No documents can be filed with the Court at this email address.

Other Questions?

For all non-technical questions, contact the Office of the Clerk of the Court at (202) 521-0700.


United States Tax Court

400 Second Street, NW, Washington, DC 20217 | (202) 521-0700

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