BIZREFUND guide
Texas small claims court: limit and fee
A refund request that a company refuses can end in small claims court. This page gives the Texas facts a letter writer needs before deciding anything: the limit, the court, the fee, the rule on asking first, and where to complain. Each fact names its official source and the date it was checked.
The limit
In Texas, the general small claims limit is USD 20,000. One cap for every claimant, not counting statutory interest and court costs but including attorney fees.
Which court
Small claims cases in Texas are heard in the Justice court. The county justice of the peace courts. The court's own page, linked below, explains where to file and what the forms are called.
Filing fee range
The filing fee is USD 54. USD 21 under Local Government Code 133.151 plus a local consolidated fee of USD 33 under 135.103; service of the papers costs extra.
Before you file
Official guidance for this state recommends that you ask the other side for the money in writing before you file. The Texas State Law Library's guide says it is always recommended to try to resolve the problem with the other party first, since an agreed solution beats a lawsuit.
Your state's consumer law
The main consumer protection law in Texas is the Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code ยง 17.41 et seq.). A letter can name it; what it covers in your case is a question for the statute itself or a lawyer.
Where to complain
The Texas attorney general takes consumer complaints through its own page, linked below. A complaint there is a report that the office keeps and can act on; it is not a claim for your money.
E-filing
Online filing depends on the county. The court's page says which counties offer it.
Worked example
Example: a USD 850 refund that a store in Texas refused is under the USD 20,000 limit, so it is the size of claim the Justice court hears. The filing fee for it would be USD 54. The letter from the refund desk is the written request that comes first, and the timeline log is the record you bring.
Sources
- Small claims limit
- Filing fee
- The court
- Asking first
- Consumer law
- Texas attorney general: consumer complaint
- Online filing
Checked on 2026-10-11 against the sources above. Limits and fees change; confirm on the court's own page before you file.
Not legal advice and not a law firm. This page says what the court and the rule are, not whether you should file.
Common questions
What if my claim is over the limit?
Then small claims is not the court for the whole amount. People sometimes claim only up to the limit and give up the rest, or use a different court. Which is right for you is not something this page can say.
Do I have to send a letter before I file?
In Texas, a request first is recommended, by the official pages read for this guide. A dated letter with the evidence attached is the record either way.
Is this page legal advice?
No. It lists what the court and the rule are, with the official source for each fact and the date it was checked. It does not judge your case or tell you to file.