Tax Law: JD + LLM or MAcc? Forum

[tpowell1996]

So, I am currently an undergrad accounting/professional writing student at a small university in SC. I plan to go into Tax Law one day, but I'm not sure which path is the best way to get there. I am interested in Duke, UNC, and UGA as far as law goes. If I chose to go MAcc, it would probably be from Coastal Carolina University simply because I currently work in the corporate office of a healthcare company and could stay local, gain experience, and get an education all while saving money. I have considered...

1. Get MAcc with focus in Taxation then JD
2. Get JD then hope to get in a top 10 LLM program

Anyone have any recommendations? Ideas? Criticisms?

[dabigchina]

,,,

[Londonbear]

I agree with the above poster about MAcc. If tax law is what you want, don't waste time and money adding unnecessary things.

I think some people just get a Tax LLM for the Big4. Agree w/poster that for Tax LLM, go to the top 3 programs: NYU, GULC, and Florida.

If you want to do tax law in Biglaw, you do not need LLM with the JD. That attaches at least another semester, if not year to JD. People usually do a JD + LLM if they strike out during 2L OCI for Biglaw, thus the LLM allows them to go through OCI as a 2L again instead of the limited, nonexistent 3L OCI.

[asdfdfdfadfas]

The MAcc is of limited usefulness, especially if you already have a CPA license. Why don't you save yourself a lot of money and just try to get into a T14 law school.

Also, most people say there is no such thing as a "top 10" LLM in tax. It's basically just NYU and GULC and even then you would only really go for it if you can't land a tax job out of law school.

ETA: get some work experience working in tax. It will be 1000x more helpful than a random MAcc or LLM.

This, most people get a MACC to get the 150 credit hours you need to take the CPA.