The program offers over 40 advanced courses covering US and international taxation, estate planning, financial services, and business taxation. Flexible learning options, including residential, online, two-year, New York Bar qualification, and accelerated JD/LLM pathways, allow students to tailor their studies to professional and personal goals. Small class sizes and instruction from nationally recognized faculty provide personalized guidance, while all students enjoy high-quality teaching, real-world learning opportunities, and career-focused resources such as recruiting events, job fairs, and individualized advising.

Who Should Apply?

The LLM in Taxation is ideal for:

• Attorneys seeking advanced tax law training
• Early-career lawyers building specialized expertise
• International lawyers pursuing knowledge of US tax law or bar eligibility
• Professionals in accounting, finance, or government transitioning into tax-focused legal roles
• JD students interested in accelerated pathways

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Admission Requirements

Admission to the LLM in Taxation program is selective.

Applicants must have:

• A first law degree such as a JD, LLB, or international equivalent
• Strong academic credentials
• Demonstrated interest in tax law or a related field

Professional experience and prior coursework in tax are considered but not required. International applicants may pursue additional enrollment pathways, including options that support New York Bar eligibility.

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Enrollment Options

Residential Option

The residential LLM in Taxation allows students to study in Boston through evening courses that support working professionals. Students may enroll full time or part time and may take up to six credits of online courses to accommodate scheduling conflicts. Residential students can also pursue the Estate Planning Certificate in-person.

Online Option

The online LLM in Taxation offers the same curriculum, faculty, and degree as the residential program. Students can begin in fall, spring, or summer and complete the program full time or part time, accessing recorded lectures and course materials on demand. This format is ideal for domestic and international lawyers whose professional obligations preclude attendance in Boston.

Two-Year LLM Program

International students who wish to strengthen their English proficiency and academic skills prior to enrolling in the Tax LLM can pursue a two-year program format, combining language preparation with advanced tax coursework.

New York Bar Qualification Option

Foreign-trained students seeking both the LLM in Taxation and eligibility to sit for the New York Bar may enroll in a 32-credit, three-semester pathway. Students complete required courses on-campus to meet New York Board of Law Examiners requirements, while also earning the BU Law LLM in Taxation.

Accelerated JD/LLM Track

BU Law JD students with a strong interest in tax law may complete both the JD and LLM in Taxation in as few as six semesters. Options are available for both six- and seven-semester tracks.

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Why Pursue an LLM in Taxation?

BU Law’s Graduate Tax Program is consistently ranked among the top Tax LLM programs in the United States and is widely recognized by employers across the legal and accounting industries. Graduates benefit from a strong reputation in the market and access to opportunities across law firms, accounting firms, corporations, and government agencies.

The program integrates career development into the student experience through employer recruiting events, engagement with leading accounting firms, and a dedicated Tax LLM job fair. Students gain access to proprietary job postings, individualized career advising, and a global alumni network that supports long-term career growth in tax law.

The LLM in Taxation can be pursued full time or part time, either in Boston or fully online. All students receive the same curriculum and instruction, with residential lectures recorded and made available within 24 hours to ensure a consistent and flexible learning experience.

The curriculum emphasizes applied learning through training in tax research platforms, exposure to current tax controversies, and skill-building workshops that prepare students for the technical demands of modern tax practice. Students learn in a collaborative environment with peers from across the United States and around the world, supported by small class sizes that encourage meaningful engagement with faculty and fellow students.

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Courses & Curriculum

Comprehensive Tax Curriculum

The BU Law LLM in Taxation offers one of the most extensive tax law curricula in the United States. Students can select from more than 40 courses annually covering federal income taxation, corporate and partnership taxation, international tax law, estate planning, and financial services taxation. All courses are available to both residential and online students, with lectures recorded and posted within 24 hours for flexible learning.

Degree Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 24 credits, including required foundational courses, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.3. Full time students typically finish in two semesters, while part time students may take up to eight semesters. A thesis is not required, though students may pursue independent research or faculty-supervised projects to deepen their expertise. Credit from other Boston University graduate programs may be applied toward the degree upon approval.

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Concentrations & Emphasis Areas

Estate Planning

Students may pursue Estate Planning either as a formal concentration, which appears on the transcript, or as an emphasis area, allowing flexible course selection without transcript notation. Estate Planning coursework covers advanced estate and gift taxation, wills and trusts, and succession planning. Students develop practical skills for advising clients and structuring estates in compliance with federal and state tax law.

General Business Taxation

Students focusing on business taxation explore corporate, partnership, and transactional tax issues. General Business taxation electives allow students to deepen knowledge in mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and tax policy.

International Taxation

Students learn cross-border tax issues, including taxation of multinational corporations, international tax treaties, and compliance issues. International Taxation courses provide insight into global tax advisory work.

Financial Services

Students focusing on financial services taxation study regulatory frameworks, tax implications for banks, investment funds, insurance, and other financial institutions. Financial Services courses emphasize applied problem-solving and compliance strategies.

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Careers and Employment Outcomes

The BU Law LLM in Taxation prepares graduates for high-impact careers in law, accounting, corporate, and government sectors. Students benefit from personalized career advising, exclusive recruiting events, and a global alumni network, whether studying residentially in Boston or fully online.

Employment Statistics by Class

Recent classes’ employment outcomes demonstrate the program’s success. Placement depends on factors like prior experience, academic background, and geographic preference.

• Class of 2023 Employment Statistics
• Class of 2022 Employment Statistics
• Class of 2021 Employment Statistics

Why BU Law Tax LLM Graduates Excel

BU Law Tax LLM graduates are recognized and sought after by top law firms, accounting firms, and multinational corporations. They gain exclusive access to proprietary job postings and participate in the annual Tax LLM Job Fair. Students benefit from hands-on career support and mentorship from faculty and our extensive alumni network. Graduates also have opportunities to pursue New York Bar eligibility and international career placements.

BU Law LLM in Taxation graduates leave equipped to launch and advance careers in tax law worldwide.

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Beyond the Classroom

Professional Development

LLM in Taxation students benefit from top-tier career support, including employer recruiting events, personalized advising, exclusive job postings, alumni mentoring, and the annual Tax LLM job fair.

Experiential Learning

Students gain hands-on experience through United States Tax Court observations, tax research and advanced Excel workshops, and timely lectures that connect theory to practice.

Community and Networking

Students join a collaborative community with small classes, integrated online learning, and strong networking opportunities, connecting them to a global alumni network of 3,000+ professionals.

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Life & Community in Boston

Boston is a global hub of intellectual energy, where top universities like Harvard, MIT, and Boston University intersect with cutting-edge innovation and legal thought. Just across the Charles River, Kendall Square is home to leading startups and companies like Google, Meta, and Tripadvisor, placing you at the center of the ideas, networks, and opportunities shaping the future of law and technology.

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Frequently Asked Questions