JD/LLM in Taxation

This dual degree combines foundational legal training with specialized tax coursework to prepare graduates for careers in corporate tax, business planning, estate planning, and government practice.

Program Overview

The JD/LLM in Taxation program builds on core legal training with advanced tax coursework that helps students understand how tax rules shape business decisions, individual planning, and institutional compliance. Faculty with substantial practice experience lead students through federal income, corporate, and partnership taxation, along with a broad mix of electives.

Small class settings encourage close mentorship and help students build the problem-solving skills required for modern tax practice.

Who Should Consider a JD/LLM in Taxation?

This program is designed for students interested in:

Corporate taxation and business planning
Partnership taxation and transactional structuring
Estate and gift tax planning
Tax controversy and procedure
International and multijurisdictional tax issues
Nonprofit and exempt organizations
Government service with agencies such as the IRS or Treasury

Why WashU Law?

WashU Law’s Taxation program is shaped by faculty with substantial practice experience and a commitment to personalized teaching. Students benefit from strong connections to employers in St. Louis and beyond.

The region offers resources that support meaningful tax practice, including:

Internal Revenue Service District Office
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
Federal District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
Fortune 500 companies such as Emerson Electric, Express Scripts, Monsanto, and Nestle Purina

The city’s broad network of law firms, from boutique practices to large firms, provides valuable opportunities to gain real-world tax experience and build a strong professional foundation.

FAQs

Your questions answered.

Candidates for the LLM degree must have graduated from an accredited US law school. If you are a current or prospective WashU Law JD, you are eligible to get a joint JD/Tax LLM degree in 6 semesters. In some situations, we may consider students with an undergraduate law degree or its equivalent from a foreign institution of higher learning based on the strength of your law school record and any tax coursework. For lawyers in practice, we also consider relevant work experience. Students holding an LLB from a non-US law school are required to take a two-semester course: Introduction to US Law and Legal Methods.

Interested candidates must submit:

1. An application; and
2. Official academic transcripts (in English) from all undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools attended, whether or not a degree was awarded, with class rank.

The program requires:

Federal Income Tax
Corporate Taxation
Partnership Taxation

Need-based and credit-based loans, as well as a limited number of merit-based scholarships, are available for full-time students who meet federal requirements. We will continue to accept applications and admit students up until the first week of classes each semester on a space contingency basis.