How to Become a Tax Lawyer
A tax lawyer helps individuals and corporations with state and federal taxes. Tax lawyers also draft legal opinions on cases they're handling for clients. But to launch a career as a tax lawyer, you must complete a bachelor's program, take the LSAT, choose an accredited law school and successfully pass your state's bar exam. Here's how to become a tax lawyer.
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Instructions
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The first step in becoming a tax lawyer is choosing a bachelor's degree program. Take courses in government, public speaking and a variety of law courses. Completing this type of coursework will look good on your law school applications.
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Schedule a date for your LSAT test. Law schools that are American Bar Association accredited require an LSAT score with your application. Take your LSAT about a year before graduating from your bachelor's degree program. This will allow you to have your LSAT score ready to include with law school applications.
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Select law schools that have tax law programs. Many law schools provide programs specific to the area of tax law. Locate a program in your area by checking out the special report US News published (see Resources).
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Schedule a date to take your state bar test. Once you've completed your law school program, take a few months to study for your bar exam. Then, register for a testing date with your state's bar association. If you're unsure of your bar's contact information, check out a directory (see Resources).
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Apply for positions once you've passed your bar test. You may find a few positions on job boards like Monster and Hotjobs, but the majority of positions will be found by contacting tax legal firms in your community (see Resources).
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Tips & Warnings
Don't forget to refresh your resume. After you complete your education and pass your state bar exam, update your resume to include these qualifications. Make sure to include special awards and honors you've received. Check out tax lawyer resume samples at Best Sample (see Resources).
Negotiate your salary. Salary.com reports that tax lawyer professionals earn $64,000 to $116,000 each year. Understanding the salary range will assist in negotiating the best compensation offer.
