How To Become A Tax Attorney

Working as a tax attorney is rewarding. The job market is usually bright, you have the opportunity to help others and you can make great money. With that said, you're probably wondering how to become a tax attorney? If you are, then read this article because it will outline the steps you need to take.

1. Get A Bachelor's Degree

The first thing you'll want to do is go to school and earn a bachelor's degree. As for what your major should be, consider taking business or accounting. Most tax attorneys have a background in these two areas. Obtaining a bachelor's degree is important because you typically need one if you want to attend law school.

As for where to earn a bachelor's degree, this is up to you. You should research universities and compare their accounting and/or business courses. Then you can attend the one you believe will provide you with the best education.

2. Go To Law School

After you receive a bachelor's degree, you can apply for law school but be prepared to take the LSAT. When your LSAT scores come in, you can start to fill out applications and submit them to schools. There are many things to consider when choosing a law school, and this includes the quality of education the school is known for providing, as well as the number of students who attend it, the location of the school and tuition. Also, make sure you go to a school that is certified by the ABA, short for the American Bar Association.

3. Land An Internship

One thing you'll want to do is land an internship, preferably while you are attending law school. An internship can help you get the first-hand experience. What you want to do is research law firms that handle tax related cases and then find out if any of them have internships available, especially during the summertime, but many firms do have semester internships available.

If you need assistance with finding law firms that are looking for interns, then contact the American Bar Association or view their website. There may be listings available. Another good idea is to take part in student activities because this gives you the chance to network and gain a little bit of experience. Landing an internship isn't always required, but it is a good idea.

4. Take The Bar Exam

After you graduate from law school with your Juris Doctor, the next step you have to do is schedule an appointment to take the state bar examination. You'll be required to take this exam in person. The requirements you need to meet vary from one state to another state. However, all states require you to take the state bar examination before you are legally allowed to practice law.

As for what is on the exam, this really depends on what state you reside in. Generally speaking, the exam will contain questions about topics you have already studied. Nonetheless, it's a good idea to continue studying once you graduate law school, that way you are well-prepared to take and pass the exam.

5. Find Employment

Once you have passed the bar exam, you can start practicing law. This means you can start looking for work, and there are a number of ways to do this. You can contact the law school you attended to see if they can refer you to tax law firms that are hiring or you can search for jobs via your own methods. There is no shortage of job hunting websites you can use.

It's worth mentioning that once you have worked at a tax law firm for a few years, you can consider launching your own law firm. This will require a lot of work and research because you'll need to find office space to rent and you'll want to have startup cash, and then you have to attract clients. However, if once you are up and running and you start getting clients, the income potential can be substantial. Although, you can still earn great money if you choose to work at a firm as a tax attorney, so don't feel any pressure to start a law firm unless you are confident you are ready and familier with all responsibilities and duties of a tax attorney.