Few areas of the law are as complex and technical as taxation. Advanced training in the field is indispensable to those seeking entry into the field or who are already in the field and are seeking career advancement. Our program enables working professionals to acquire valuable expertise in taxation on their own schedules, taking all their courses online, one course at a time.
Curriculum
The LLM degree is designed for those who have earned either a Juris Doctor (JD) or a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree and who wish to improve their knowledge in a specialized area. The LLM degree requires 24 units. Each course is offered for 3 units. After taking an introductory foundations course, students concentrating in taxation must take six elective courses in that concentration and a thesis course.
Required Courses
An introduction to basic concepts of finance and taxation that will prepare students for enrollment in more advanced elective courses in the field of taxation.
n advanced research course in which each student must write a thesis under faculty supervision. The thesis topic is chosen by the student, subject to approval by the instructor. During the course, students will learn advanced research techniques and participate in workshops in which they receive comments on their work from both the instructor and other students. Taken in the student’s final term.
An exploration of the federal income tax aspects of deferred payment transactions and like-kind exchanges, as well as the design and operation of employee benefit plans such as qualified pension and profit-sharing plans, non-qualified plans, and taxation of plan distributions. The second part of the course focuses on tax accounting issues.
The study of tax and other legal issues that arise in the context of estate planning. Topics include gifts, inheritances, and the probate process.
An advanced course in tax procedure that addresses the structure of the US tax system; the IRS and other tax collection and enforcement agencies; administrative and judicial tribunals with jurisdiction; dealing with audits; administrative rulings; assessment of deficiencies and penalties; closing agreements; tax liens; statutes of limitation; claims for refund; hearings before the IRS Appeals Office, and civil and criminal aspects of tax fraud; confidentiality and the attorney-client evidentiary privilege; and tax shelters.
Provides aspiring professionals with a practical understanding of the foundational principles and mechanics of financial accounting, enabling them to: read financial statements with insight; analyze such statements for investment, risk, tax, strategic management, and compliance purposes; achieve an enhanced understanding of their clients and their financial realities; make sounder professional judgments and business decisions; and communicate with others in the business world on a deeper and more sophisticated level.
An examination of the federal taxation of (1) the U.S.-related income of nonresident aliens and foreign corporations, and (2) the foreign-related income of U.S. taxpayers. Topics include taxation of outbound and inbound expatriates; the source of income and expense allocation rules; the concepts of "US trade or business" and "effectively connected income," and the effect of a tax treaty; the foreign tax credit; Subpart F, PHC, PFIC and other anti-deferral mechanisms; FDAP income and withholding; foreign investment in U.S. real estate and FIRPTA; and the next generation of Foreign Sales Corporations tax preferences.
An examination of the federal taxation of (1) the U.S.-related income of nonresident aliens and foreign corporations, and (2) the foreign-related income of U.S. taxpayers. Topics include taxation of outbound and inbound expatriates; the source of income and expense allocation rules; the concepts of "US trade or business" and "effectively connected income," and the effect of a tax treaty; the foreign tax credit; Subpart F, PHC, PFIC and other anti-deferral mechanisms; FDAP income and withholding; foreign investment in U.S. real estate and FIRPTA; and the next generation of Foreign Sales Corporations tax preferences.
A comprehensive overview of how business entities are taxed, including, but not limited to, sole proprietorships, partnerships, S-Corporations, C-Corporations and Limited Liability Companies (LLC’s). Topics include how the entities differ in reporting taxes and the use and preparation of forms used for federal tax purposes.
The identification and analysis of the tax implications of a variety of common individual and business investment activities. This course seeks to develop a conceptual understanding of the federal income tax system and to provide a framework for integrating income tax planning into the investment decision-making process. The course is designed to help students anticipate the impact of taxation on activities and seek alternatives that maximize the use of pre-tax dollars and after-tax value.