Tax LLM's --how helpful? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I know nothing about Tax LLM programs but I am curious as to how they increase one's employment prospects---particularly with government agencies and corporations. I am also wondering how skilled you need to be at math to do them, if they grade on a forced curve, and how difficult it is to be accepted into them. Thanks in advance.

[PeanutHead]

You need minimal math skills to do tax. I would maybe say that being comfortable with numbers will make life easier, but you do not really need any true math ability in tax. Someone else may correct this, but I think there are 2 tax LLMs worth getting (NYU and GULC). I know the one at GULC is graded on a fairly high curve.

I have often heard that the JD is the "house" and the LLM is nothing more than the furniture. In other words, an LLM is not going to overcome a poor JD (GPA or school). That being said, I don't think acceptance into the programs is challenging.

[nealric]

I know nothing about Tax LLM programs but I am curious as to how they increase one's employment prospects---particularly with government agencies and corporations. I am also wondering how skilled you need to be at math to do them, if they grade on a forced curve, and how difficult it is to be accepted into them. Thanks in advance.

I have a tax LLM.

Tax LLMs do not increase employment prospects much- but they can push a marginal candidate over the edge. Generally, I wouldn't recommend one unless your employer is paying or if you absolutely cannot find tax employment with your JD.

There is no math beyond basic arithmetic. Tax law isn't really about the numbers- numbers are what accountants are for

Tax LLMs usually grade on the same curve as the host JD school. Small seminars may be uncurved.

It's much easier to get into tax LLM programs than their sister JD programs.

[porgie]

I know nothing about Tax LLM programs but I am curious as to how they increase one's employment prospects---particularly with government agencies and corporations. I am also wondering how skilled you need to be at math to do them, if they grade on a forced curve, and how difficult it is to be accepted into them. Thanks in advance.

I have a tax LLM.

Tax LLMs do not increase employment prospects much- but they can push a marginal candidate over the edge. Generally, I wouldn't recommend one unless your employer is paying or if you absolutely cannot find tax employment with your JD.

Do you know if your classmates who wanted to work for accounting firms fared well in the job search? Just wondering since I want to go into tax but want to work for an accounting firm. I thought perhaps an MST from a good school would be worth looking into, but people on tax talent said they thought that was a bad idea. It just seems like if nothing else, going through recruiting (the school I'm interested in is heavily recruited by accounting firms) would be extremely helpful in landing a job. Or do you think taking as many tax classes as I can, including some from the accounting school, would be just as helpful in nabbing a job?

If you have no idea b/c this was never something you were interested in, that's fine. Just wondering since so much of this type of stuff always comes down to speculation for those who haven't gone through any sort of program. It's really hard to gauge the utility of these programs, and I figured you might know since you're likely to have been in a class with someone who wound up going the accounting firm route.

[nealric]

Do you know if your classmates who wanted to work for accounting firms fared well in the job search? Just wondering since I want to go into tax but want to work for an accounting firm. I thought perhaps an MST from a good school would be worth looking into, but people on tax talent said they thought that was a bad idea. It just seems like if nothing else, going through recruiting (the school I'm interested in is heavily recruited by accounting firms) would be extremely helpful in landing a job. Or do you think taking as many tax classes as I can, including some from the accounting school, would be just as helpful in nabbing a job?

If you have no idea b/c this was never something you were interested in, that's fine. Just wondering since so much of this type of stuff always comes down to speculation for those who haven't gone through any sort of program. It's really hard to gauge the utility of these programs, and I figured you might know since you're likely to have been in a class with someone who wound up going the accounting firm route.

Do a big firm if you can. There are few, if any, advantages to going to accounting firms at the junior level. It's the same hours for between 1/3 and 2/3 of the pay (more likely the former). Work is less interesting as well by most accounts.

If a firm doesn't work out, I would try just applying to accounting firms with your JD. If that isn't working out, you can look into a LLM program. MST doesn't make much sense for a lawyer.

[lovelaw27]

I know nothing about Tax LLM programs but I am curious as to how they increase one's employment prospects---particularly with government agencies and corporations. I am also wondering how skilled you need to be at math to do them, if they grade on a forced curve, and how difficult it is to be accepted into them. Thanks in advance.

I have a tax LLM.

Tax LLMs do not increase employment prospects much- but they can push a marginal candidate over the edge. Generally, I wouldn't recommend one unless your employer is paying or if you absolutely cannot find tax employment with your JD.

There is no math beyond basic arithmetic. Tax law isn't really about the numbers- numbers are what accountants are for

Tax LLMs usually grade on the same curve as the host JD school. Small seminars may be uncurved.

It's much easier to get into tax LLM programs than their sister JD programs.

What is the difference between what a tax accountant does and what a tax attorney does? I took a tax law class before law school and I thought that the tax accountants and CPA’s were way ahead of everyone else. Do you think this is true? How much of a disadvantage would someone be at if they went into tax law without an accounting background?

[nealric]

What is the difference between what a tax accountant does and what a tax attorney does? I took a tax law class before law school and I thought that the tax accountants and CPA’s were way ahead of everyone else. Do you think this is true? How much of a disadvantage would someone be at if they went into tax law without an accounting background?

It really depends. There are tax "accountants" that basically practice tax law. There are tax attorneys that really practice accountancy. Usually, a tax attorney will be asked questions like: "Is this transaction taxable?" An accountant will be asked questions like: "How much tax is due on this transaction?"

I didn't find the CPAs to be all that far ahead in tax classes- other than perhaps partnership tax (which involves a lot of accounting concepts). I had absolutely no accounting background prior to my LLM and graduated with honors.

[porgie]

nealric, would you mind if I pm'd you and asked you for more specifics? I don't want to hog the board w/ questions that are not applicable to anyone else.....

[nealric]

nealric, would you mind if I pm'd you and asked you for more specifics? I don't want to hog the board w/ questions that are not applicable to anyone else.....

Of course not.