Curriculum Guide · Courses
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Tax Research and Writing
Professors Ronald Buch and Richard Fultz LL.M Seminar 809 | 2 credit hours Course Description for Professor Buch: In the first half of the course, we will cover the basic concepts of tax research. We will cover legislative , administrative, judicial, and secondary sources of authority. We will discuss where these materials can be located, the extent to which these materials are available electronically, and other practical aspects of researching tax issues in private practice and as an IRS attorney. We will also talk about the relative weight to be given to these various authorities . Finally, we will review why taxpayers and practitioners must be aware of and consider the relative weight of the various authorities covered in the course. In the second half of the course, we will focus on developing effective writing skills. The ability to accurately convey one’s thoughts in a written work product is an essential skill in the legal profession. The strength of a legal argument depends not only on the sources of authority cited but also on the manner in which those authorities are presented. There will be a brief research memorandum and a piece of persuasive writing on a current tax issue that will provide you with a chance to use the research skills you learned in the first half of the course. For Professor Buch's course: There will be a take-home mid-term exam and a special requirement. Course Description for Professors Tan, Fultz, and Sieverding: In the first half of the course, we will cover the basic concepts of tax research. We will begin with domestic materials, including statutes, legislative history, regulations, cases, administrative rulings, and secondary sources. Then we will cover tax treaties and other international materials, including other international agreements with tax provisions. We will discuss where these domestic and international materials can be located, the extent to which these materials are available electronically, and other practical aspects of researching tax issues in private practice and as an IRS attorney. We will also talk about the relative weight to be given to these various authorities and the interaction between domestic law and international agreements. Finally, we will review why taxpayers and practitioners must be aware of and consider the relative weight of the various authorities covered in the course. In the second half of the course, we will focus on developing effective writing skills. The ability to accurately convey one’s thoughts to a written work product is an essential skill in the legal profession. The strength of a legal argument depends not only on the sources of authority cited but also on the manner in which those authorities are presented. For Professors Tan and Fultz: There will be a brief research memorandum and a piece of persuasive writing on a current tax issue that will provide you with a chance to use the research skills you learned in the first half of the course. For Professor Sieverding's course: There will be a few short writing exercises and one longer document.Prerequisite: Taxation I.
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