Tax lawyers deal with the complexities of taxes, including the income and estate taxes paid by individuals and business entities. This is a field that demands attention to detail and a commitment to ongoing education. It also requires a genuine passion for learning and critical thinking skills, which are traits that highly successful tax lawyers tend to possess.
How to Be a Tax Lawyer
If you want to become a tax lawyer, you must first obtain a bachelor’s degree and then pursue law school. This is a multi-year process that typically involves earning a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and passing the bar exam in the state where you plan to practice. You must also complete a year of practical legal experience and meet the continuing education requirements to maintain your license in that state.
The average timeline to earn a JD is about seven years, but this can vary depending on the type of law school you attend and the bar exam you pass after you graduate. You can also pursue an optional Master of Laws in Taxation degree after completing your JD.
You can work as a tax lawyer in private practice, as a staff member at a large corporation, or as an employee at the IRS. Whether you choose to practice in private or public law, you can be assured of a steady stream of clients looking for legal advice and representation in a variety of situations.
How to Become a Tax Attorney
The first step in becoming a tax attorney is to acquire a bachelor’s degree and then a certified public accountant (CPA) license, which enables you to work as an accountant before moving on to law school. Most states require 150 credit hours of coursework to take the CPA exam and then a few years to earn a certificate in taxation.
Next, you must apply to a law school and gain admission. Most law schools only accept a certain number of new students each year, and your application will be reviewed based on your LSAT score, which is the most important part of the law school admissions process. Recommended this site worker compensation lawyers .
In addition, you must pass the bar exam in your chosen state before practicing as a tax attorney. The length of the bar exam can vary by state, but it generally consists of multiple-choice and essay questions that assess your knowledge of the law. The process can take several days to complete, and you must pass the exam in order to be licensed to practice law in that state.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in tax law, it is best to begin by selecting the right school for your interests and career goals. To get started, you can use our free SmartPlan(tm) tool to identify colleges that offer the best fit for your educational and professional goals.
A career in tax law is a challenging and rewarding one that can provide you with both stability and flexibility. It is less emotionally intense than some other legal practice areas, and you will find yourself working with a wide range of people from all walks of life, as everyone is subject to the same laws. Moreover, the tax system is relatively stable, and as a result, it often remains in high demand throughout all economic cycles.
