They also represent their clients during investigations and court proceedings. This career path is a good fit for detailoriented critical thinkers with a genuine interest in tax law.
To become a tax lawyer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in a field related to law and then a JD law degree from a top-ranked college. You must then pass a state bar examination, which usually takes two to three days to complete. Many tax lawyers further their expertise as specialists with additional academic routes.
Work for a firm, corporation or government agency
A career in tax law offers plenty of variety as you can work for any size company or a large law firm, or even start your own practice. You can work with a wide range of clients, from startups to multinational corporations.
Becoming a tax lawyer requires you to be detail-oriented and thorough in your work.
This will help you ensure that your clients get the best results possible in their cases.
Strong research skills are important for a tax attorney because of the complexity and speed at which new laws are passed. This is particularly true in litigation, where it’s essential to understand how various statutes and rules relate to each other.
Writing skills are a necessity for a tax attorney because it’s vital to be able to explain complex legal conclusions and opinions in a concise manner. This includes writing memos, letters and emails to colleagues or clients.
Collaborative skills are also crucial for a tax lawyer because they need to work with other attorneys or non-legal professionals on complex legal issues. This is especially useful when negotiating settlements with the IRS or preparing plea bargains for clients in trial. Recommended this site truck accident lawyers .
Being a tax lawyer means knowing all the ins and outs of federal and state tax laws and how they apply to individual businesses. This can include figuring out if you qualify for certain deductions or credits.
You can also use your knowledge of taxes to help other individuals or families. This can include providing guidance to people with tax debt problems or helping business owners figure out how to save money on their taxes.
Becoming a tax lawyer is an intensive career that involves extensive training and credentialing, but it can be well worth the effort. If you enjoy working with a variety of people and are willing to go the extra mile for your clients, this may be the ideal job for you.
While the education and licensing process to be a tax lawyer can take up to eight years, there are options that can shorten your time to licensure and make the job search easier. For example, a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) in Taxation from top-20 Washington University School of Law can be completed in as little as 12 months, with no GRE or LSAT required. It’s a flexible program that allows you to choose classes from morning or evening schedules.