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A tax attorney does some paper work

How to Become a Tax Attorney

Being a tax attorney is a high profile and demanding profession. Tax attorneys make a lot of money, but they also put in long hours and must deal with complicated issues. If you’re interested in tax management and a career dealing with the law, you should consider becoming a tax attorney. Follow these steps to be on your way toward a tax law career.

Step 1: Get a Bachelor’s Degree

It’s impossible to be a lawyer without first obtaining a bachelor’s degree. Going to college is your pathway toward getting into law school. While law schools don’t require you to have specific coursework or a specific major for admission to grad school, there are some majors and pre-law programs that are designed for students hoping to go to law school. Generally speaking, social science majors like politics or political science, economics, sociology, psychology, etc. are great for general law school preparation. If you already know you want to be a tax attorney, though, you should consider getting your undergraduate degree in business, economics, or finance.

Steps 2 and 3: Take the LSAT and Apply to Law School

All tax attorneys must go to law school, and the path toward law school is a bachelor’s degree, the LSAT, and admissions applications. The LSAT is a standardized test, similar to the SAT or ACT, which tests you on reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical-reasoning skills. The LSAT is a half-day test that is only offered four times per year at various locations.

Step 4: Go to Law School

Many universities have law schools that offer graduate degrees such as the Juris Doctor or a Master of Laws. If you are following the traditional career track, you should work toward getting your Juris Doctor. There are not specialized law degrees for different kinds of lawyers, so your education track is similar to that of any other law specialty.

Step 5: Take Classes Pertaining to Tax Law

As you advance through your law program, you’ll have more room in your schedule to take law elective classes. This is your chance to get the necessary educational experience needed to become a tax attorney. Take as many elective courses that will be useful to a profession as a tax attorney as possible.

Step 6: Get and Complete Internships

Internship experiences are crucial for starting your career once you graduate from law school. Try to obtain internships with firms or companies that are practicing tax law. Not only will this give you relevant and necessary experiences, it will also increase your chances of getting a job after graduation.

Step 7: Pass the Bar Exam for Your State

Once you graduate from law school, you embark on a rigorous journey that is studying for the bar. The bar exam licenses you to practice in your state. Each state has different exams with different requirements. The bar is a rigorous exam, and many law graduates have to take the bar multiple times before passing.

Step 8: Get a Job

Some firms and companies offer employment pending passing the bar, and others offer employment prior to passing the bar. It depends on the kind of law that is practiced. Typically, to get a job as a tax attorney, you’ll have to pass the bar first. Use your connections made during law school and through internships to help you find employment opportunities.  

Last Updated: April 15, 2015