Tax law is one of the most difficult areas of law to master. Each country has its own taxation system, which is often implemented at both the local and national levels and is comprised of numerous statutes, regulations, and exemptions. A tax lawyer must be good with numbers, skilled at applying complex rules to often even more complex situations, and knowledgeable about the legal ramifications of a wide range of actions. To become a tax lawyer, you’ll need to hone these skills while planning an educational path that includes law school and, most likely, graduate tax law work.
A law degree and a license to practice law are the most basic requirements for becoming a tax lawyer. Each country has its own approach to legal education and licensing, but most law students enter law school after completing a four-year undergraduate university degree. Law schools have a fairly standard curriculum consisting of core courses supplemented by electives. Students usually do not specialize in any area of law, but they do have the option of taking electives in areas of interest.
Most law schools offer a wide range of tax courses, including income tax, estate tax, and international tax. If you want to be a tax lawyer in the future, you should take as many tax classes as possible while in school. Attending a law school with a reputable tax faculty can also help you become a tax lawyer by increasing your marketability and career opportunities.
Many law firms expect or require their lawyers to receive post-law school tax education and training because of the complexities involved in the practice of tax law. This is usually accomplished through a master of laws, or LL.M., degree. The LL.M. is a one- to two-year program for lawyers that focuses solely on tax issues. A budding tax lawyer can truly specialize in certain aspects of tax law through the LL.M.
A tax lawyer can work in a variety of settings. Many tax lawyers work for private firms, advising clients on tax planning and management. This type of lawyer can be an estate tax lawyer or a financial management lawyer, and they usually have experience with wills and trusts as well as accounting. Many businesses also hire tax attorneys to help them with internal tax policy questions and to simplify payroll tax, corporate tax exemptions, and other business tax obligations.
Working for a government taxation authority is another way to become a tax lawyer. Lawyers have the most influence over the breadth, implementation, and drafting of any country’s tax codes because they are expressed as laws. For example, the Internal Revenue Service, the US taxation agency, employs thousands of tax lawyers in various capacities. An IRS tax lawyer may assist in the drafting of new tax regulations or in the writing of memos that explain how existing regulations interact with one another. She could also help the IRS prosecute businesses or individuals who have broken the law.
Research schools and programs before starting your career, talk to professionals in the field, and look for work in tax law while you’re still in school, if possible. Hands-on experience can help you decide what type of tax law you want to practice by supplementing your classroom learning. Experience and professional references are always attractive to potential employers.
The field of tax law is vast, and it is constantly evolving. There are numerous ways to practice tax law, and there is no one-size-fits-all path to becoming a tax lawyer. One thing is certain: anyone interested in becoming a tax lawyer can expect a world filled with work that is both plentiful and consistently challenging.