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    • Ronson J. Shamoun, ESQ., LL.M.
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    • 8th Annual USD School of Law – RJS LAW Tax Controversy Institute – July 28th, 2023
    • 7th Annual USD School of Law – RJS LAW Tax Controversy Institute – July 15th 2022
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  • Home
  • About
    • Ronson J. Shamoun, ESQ., LL.M.
    • Chandara Diep, ESQ., LL.M.
    • Joseph Cole, ESQ., LL.M.
    • Devon J. Arabo, ESQ., LL.M.
    • Lauren Suarez, ESQ., LL.M.
    • Daniel Huynh, Esq., LL.M.
    • Christopher Engelmann, ESQ., LL.M.
    • Leslie Miranda, Esq., LL.M.
    • Brian M. Malloy, Esq.
    • Steve S. Mattia, Esq.
    • Sam Imandoust, ESQ., LL.M
    • Kaveh Imandoust, JD, MBT, CPA
    • Andrea Cisneros Valdez, Esq., LL.M.
    • Martin Schainbaum, ESQ., LL.M.
    • Dod Ghassemkhani, ESQ.
    • Vincent Renda, Esq.
    • Pedro Bernal, Esq.
    • Melanie M. Shamoun
    • Sandie Portilla
    • Renae Arabo
    • Sabri P. Shamoun
    • Hilary Dargavell
    • Lupita C. Torres
    • Jewell Cornejo
    • Kesia Belford
    • Remy Hogan
    • Judith Jeremie
    • Marley Smith-Peters
    • Melanie Chan
    • Tanner DeMera
    • Charles Ecker
    • Anna Gurr
    • Asia Smith
  • Practices
    • ERTC – Call Us Before It’s Too Late!
    • Tax
      • IRS TAX MATTERS
        • IRS Appeals
          • IRS Appeals Process
          • Contesting an IRS Levy
          • Why Retain RJS LAW for IRS Appeals
          • 4 Tips For Navigating The IRS Rapid Appeals Process
        • IRS AUDITS
          • IRS Correspondence Audits
          • What are IRS Field Audits?
          • Initial IRS Compliance Center Audits
          • IRS Office Audits
          • What happens in an IRS Audit?
          • Taxpayer Rights Under IRS Publication 1
          • IRS Warns Taxpayers About Scam
        • NOTICES
          • IRS Notices
          • IRS Letters
          • FTB Notices
          • Avisos en Español
        • IRS Collections
          • Avoiding and Eliminating IRS Tax Liens
          • Collection Due Process Hearing
          • CP 501 – IRS Notice
          • Failure to file a tax return: What happens?
          • How the IRS calculates interest
          • How to get a tax levy released
          • ACS – Automated Collection System
          • IRS Collections Process
          • IRS Interest Abatement
          • IRS Revenue Officers
          • Jeopardy Assessments and Jeopardy Levies
          • National Tax Agencies
          • RJS LAW Approach to Collections
          • IRS Statute of Limitations on Collections
          • Streamlined Installment Agreements
          • Tax Penalty Abatement
          • Taxpayer Assistance Orders
        • IRS Payroll Tax
          • Independent Contractor Reclassification Audits
          • IRS Forms 940 and 941
          • IRS Trust Fund Interviews
          • Payroll Tax Liability Payment Options
          • Trust Fund Recovery Penalties
        • IRS Wealth Squad
        • Offer in Compromise & Tax Settlements
          • OVERVIEW OF OFFER IN COMPROMISE PROCESS
          • The Offer in Compromise Process
          • Appealing an Offer in Compromise
          • How does the IRS evaluate an Offer in Compromise
          • Offer in Compromise and Dissipated Assets
          • Offer in Compromise Requirements
          • Pros and Cons of an Offer in Compromise
          • Why Choose RJS LAW?
          • Offer in Compromise Alternatives
          • Actual IRS Offer in Compromise Results
      • STATE TAX MATTERS
        • EDD California Payroll Tax Lawyer
          • EDD Investigations
          • EDD Collections – Liens, Levies, and Garnishments
        • CDTFA – California Sales Tax
          • California Sales Tax Appeals
          • California Sales Tax Audits
          • California Department Of Tax And Fee Administration – CDTFA
        • California State Tax Matters – California Franchise Tax Board | FTB | EDD
          • California Residency Audits
          • Discharging State Income Taxes in Bankruptcy
          • State Tax Practice – Outside of California
      • CRIMINAL TAX ISSUES
        • Criminal Investigation Division
        • IRS Criminal Investigation Division Tactics
        • Criminal Tax Defense – Tax Crimes
        • Currency Transaction Records & Suspicious Activity Reports
        • IRS Methods of Proof: Tax Fraud and Evasion
        • Methods IRS Agents Use to Locate Assets
        • IRS Special Agent Visits
        • Are You a Criminal Investigation Target?
        • Criminal Tax Attorney vs. White Collar Defense
      • CORPORATE TAXES
      • TAX COURT LITIGATION
      • Innocent Spouse Relief
    • International Tax
    • Estate Planning
    • Trust Litigation
    • Trust, Estate & Probate Litigation
    • Trust & Estate Administration
    • Probate
    • Bankruptcy
    • Civil Litigation
    • Criminal Defense
    • Accidents & Injury
    • Corporate & Transactional
    • Private Wealth Services
    • Real Estate Law
      • Landlord Tenant Law
    • Employment Law
  • Tax Institute
    • 8th Annual USD School of Law – RJS LAW Tax Controversy Institute – July 28th, 2023
    • 7th Annual USD School of Law – RJS LAW Tax Controversy Institute – July 15th 2022
    • 6th Annual USD School of Law – RJS LAW Tax Controversy Institute
    • 5th Annual USD School of Law – RJS LAW Tax Controversy Institute
    • 4th Annual USD School of Law – RJS LAW Tax Controversy Institute
  • Testimonials
  • Giving
    • Giving
    • RJS Law Donates Billboard to the Girl Scouts
  • Awards
    • Awards
    • Ronson J. Shamoun at events with various dignitaries
    • SD50 Extraordinary Leadership
    • Media
    • Video Gallery
  • Blog
  • Pay
  • Contact

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Why Law Students Should Consider Tax Law and a Masters in Taxation – LL.M.

7th Annual In Person USD School of Law – RJS LAW Tax Controversy Institute
7th Annual USD School of Law – RJS LAW Tax Controversy Institute

Masters in Taxation – LL.M.

People gain a sense of purpose from the belief their work will be of use to everyone. For example, a gas station owner believes everyone needs gas, and a doctor believes everyone, at some point, will require medical assistance. Just like the gas station owner and medical professional, specialized tax professionals and attorneys with a Juris Doctor and Masters in Taxation claim the same certainty. After all, death and taxes are the only guarantees we have in life.

Under the large umbrella of tax law, there are three main practice distinctions: planning, defending amid controversy, or working for government entities like the IRS.  The difference between planning and controversy resides in helping your client proactively optimize their tax positions versus representing your client before any of the tax agencies (IRS, FTB, CDTFA, EDD) during an inquiry, investigation, or audit.

Here are five reasons to consider a career in tax law and a Masters in Taxation – LL.M.:

1. Recession Proof

While no job is immune from a failing economy, tax attorneys can work with clients looking to weather the storm. Clients may need help planning for or dealing with negative tax implications and ramifications requiring representation before one or more tax agencies. Furthermore, taxes are not black and white as some of us come to believe. They are highly politicized policies which evoke conversations about equality, equity, American history, and economic strategy. Consequentially, as our political representation changes, so do the various tax codes creating an ongoing environment in which tax attorneys can thrive.  

2. Diversity

A common misconception is that one must be wealthy to hire a tax attorney to take advantage of the tax codes.  While this may be true for some, more often tax attorneys will represent middle- and lower-income taxpayers to defend an IRS audit or provide relief from due to economic hardships. The expansive client base creates a ripe opportunity to help all in need and provide a steady stream of work for the attorney.   

There is also diversity within the field of tax law. If you are interested in criminal law, tax law provides an opportunity to focus on criminal tax matters which will utilize the rules of evidence, criminal procedure, and criminal law. If you are interested in business and contracts law, there are opportunities for tax attorneys to analyze deals with respect to future tax implications and assist clients in drafting and reviewing business opportunities and contracts. If you are interested in property law, understanding the tax implications related with property titles, restrictions, and general land ownership will benefit your clients dramatically. Basically, tax is present in almost every aspect of the practice of law.   

Tax also thrives in diverse demographics. Culturally diverse attorneys can expand their client base and provide expertise to different communities. A diverse client base provides the attorney the opportunity to cross-border assistance in the areas of international tax and compliance.  

3. Salary and Mental Health

As with all professions, many factors come into play when discussing the potential salary for a tax attorney. Geographic regions, client base, specialty certifications, and work experience are just a few of the determining factors. According to Glassdoor, as of December 2021, the median salary for a tax attorney was $144,162. Of course, tax attorney salaries will vary for those working for private firms, versus a governmental agency or an auditing firm.

Loving what you do will have provide long-term benefits for your overall mental health.  In 2014, Vault conducted a survey asking some 17,000 associates working in more than 100 mid- and large-sized law firms and across some 20 practice areas, which practice area created the highest level of satisfaction.  As shown below, the number one response was tax.  

Masters in Taxation - LL.M. Law Associate Satisfaction by Practice Area
Data provided by Vault.com Inc. website legacy.vault.com

4. Gain knowledge to “makes a difference”

Most attorneys go into practice to “make a difference.” It may be in the lives of their clients, their own, or their community. Tax law allows you to make a difference in all three. There is ample opportunity to dramatically influence and make a positive difference in a client’s life. You may represent businesses that stimulate free market interactions or represent individuals in need of help interacting with the market. Furthermore, the knowledge gained from a practice in tax will affect your personal financial decisions.

5. Setting yourself apart with specialized skillsets

Graduating law students or those attorneys already in practice should consider obtaining a Masters in Taxation (“LL.M.”) degree. The LL.M. degree in tax is a two-semester program of tax courses from which you gain added skills to add to your experience. An LL.M. will distinguish you from your peers and increase your marketability to employers and/or clients.  

Obtaining a Masters in Taxation is an investment from which you will reap great rewards. In addition to a potentially higher salary, this advance degree will set you apart from other attorneys looking for employment.  As tax law requires a vast knowledge across many platforms, earning an LL.M. will send a clear message of your intent to be the best in your chosen field.

Written by Peter Masih, RJS LAW, Law Clerk

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Filed Under: Masters in Taxation – LL.M., USD School of Law – RJS LAW Tax Controversy Institute Tagged With: Masters in Taxation, Masters in Taxation – LL.M.

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