Tax attorneys research tax law, draft legal documents, and resolve tax disputes for their clients. They specialize in areas such as corporate tax law, estate planning, and international tax law.

When it comes to accounting careers, tax attorney is one of the highest-paying jobs in the field. However, becoming a tax attorney takes longer than most other accounting positions because you need a law degree in addition to a background in accounting and taxation.

Our guide covers how to become a tax attorney, including the education, experience, and licensure requirements for this role.

Steps to a Tax Attorney Career

Want to become a tax attorney? This career requires multiple degrees and specialized training. Here are the steps you must take to become a tax attorney:

Required Education for a Tax Attorney

Generally, tax attorneys need a strong background in accounting and a law degree. Before specializing in tax law, you must first earn a bachelor's degree. Common majors aspiring tax attorneys pursue include accounting or related taxation degrees. Some of these professionals also earn a master's in accounting or taxation.

Once you develop accounting and taxation knowledge, you must complete your legal education. In most states, tax attorneys need a JD from a law school with accreditation from the American Bar Association (ABA). During your three-year law degree, you study contract law, civil procedure, and criminal law.

You also take advanced tax law courses like income tax, tax policy, and white-collar crime. Some tax lawyers also pursue a specialized master of laws (LLM) degree in taxation after earning a law degree.

Required Credentials for Tax Attorneys

Because tax attorneys are practicing lawyers, they need a state-issued license. Most states require attorneys to complete an ABA-accredited law degree before they can earn a lawyer license.

Every state stipulates that attorneys must pass a bar exam. Many jurisdictions use the Uniform Bar Exam from the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Typically, you start studying for the bar exam in law school and take your exam shortly after graduation.

Once you pass the bar exam, you can apply for your lawyer license. Depending on state regulations, you may need to complete continuing legal education to maintain licensure.

Optional Certifications and Degrees

In addition to your degrees, you can pursue professional certifications and licenses to specialize your expertise in tax law subfields. One common option is CPA licensure, which demonstrates advanced knowledge of public accounting.

To become a CPA, you need at least 150 college-level credits and passing scores on the four-part Uniform CPA Examination. Some states also maintain experience requirements. The stipulations for education and experience vary by jurisdiction, so determine your eligibility by reviewing information from the board of accountancy in the state where you plan to work.

Once you become a CPA, you must renew your credential regularly by satisfying your state's continuing education requirements.

Tax attorneys interested in academic roles may also need a higher degree, such as a doctorate in accounting. Gaining experience as a tax attorney can also help you decide whether certifications or additional education would help you achieve your professional goals.

Required Experience for a Tax Attorney

Tax attorneys need experience to manage complex tax issues like complying with corporate tax regulations or contesting audits. You can start gaining experience by pursuing accounting internships or practicums while you're a student. Law schools may offer summer internships so learners can gain hands-on experience in their specialty area.

After completing law school, many attorneys hold associate positions at law firms. In these roles, they gain experience working with clients and building defenses. Some tax attorneys become partners or launch their own practices.

Should I Become a Tax Attorney?

The road to becoming a tax attorney can be daunting. In most states, this career requires a minimum of seven years of full-time education, including a law degree. Attending law school may be difficult — you need strong LSAT scores and a solid academic record to get in, and upon admission, you must complete three years of challenging coursework.

However, lawyers typically earn higher salaries than accountants. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported lawyers earned a median pay of $145,760 in 2023. In contrast, accountants and auditors earned a median salary of $79,880 that same year.

Becoming an attorney isn't the only path to working in taxation. If you're interested in related careers that don't require a law degree, consider jobs in tax compliance, public accounting, or tax auditing. Like tax attorneys, tax accountants specialize in taxation, but they don't need a law license.

Searching for Tax Lawyer Jobs

Tax lawyers work in a specialized field. How can you find tax attorney jobs? Start networking while earning your law or tax degree, and use the resources from your school's career center. Joining professional associations, attending job fairs, and connecting with mentors can also help you find a tax lawyer role.

Resources for tax lawyer jobs include:

• American Bar Association: The ABA offers a career center for lawyers, including a job board where you can upload your resume. More than 5,000 employers use the service.
• USAJOBS: USAJOBS can help you find tax attorney jobs with the federal government, including in the Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service.
• BCG Attorney Search: BCG helps you find attorney jobs, with options to sort openings by practice area, required work experience, and location. In addition to tax attorney roles, you can sort by tax specialties, including international tax and tax dispute resolution.
• Law Crossing: Law Crossing lets users sort tax attorney job openings by firm type, in-office or remote work, and required experience.

Upward Mobility

With experience as a tax attorney, you can move into higher-paying roles with greater responsibilities. Career advancement can mean taking on managerial responsibilities, moving into academia, or pursuing partnership at a law firm.

Questions on How to Become a Tax Lawyer