What it is
A request to recover allowable litigation costs after judgment, such as filing fees, transcript costs, printing, copying, witness fees, or other taxable items. Costs are different from attorney fees and usually narrower.
Post-trial
Motion to Tax Costs
Asks to recover taxable litigation costs after judgment, separate from attorney fees.
When it's used
Filed by the prevailing party after judgment or dismissal when the rules, statute, or judgment allows costs. The request often begins with a bill of costs submitted to the clerk.
What the other side does
The opponent objects that items are not taxable, unnecessary, unsupported, excessive, or should be denied because of mixed success or equitable factors.
Common outcomes
The clerk or court taxes some costs, reduces the request, denies disputed items, or sends objections to the judge for review.
Not legal advice. Motion practice varies by court,
judge, and case type. Local rules and standing orders frequently
modify the federal defaults shown here. If you're facing a motion
or considering filing one, talk to a lawyer about strategy and
timing for your specific case.