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Tax Research and Writing Certificate
Advance your tax career with USF’s Tax Research and Writing Certificate. With USF’s stand-alone certificate, working professionals from across the field of taxation will hone critical thinking skills, develop knowledge of cutting-edge tax research tools, and effectively communicate complex legal concepts.
The Tax Research and Writing Certificate is designed with you in mind. Courses are offered online, asynchronously, so that you study at your own pace, on your own schedule, and the semester avoids the busy U.S. tax season. Students in the program work in the field of taxation, as accountants, tax lawyers, and managers. Expert faculty offer ongoing, optional meetings for individual support and guidance.
Apply Now
Priority Application Deadlines:
Spring: November 1
Summer: April 1
Fall: June 1
Program Highlights
- Three consecutive seven-week semesters that avoid the busy tax season.
- Fully online, asynchronous learning for ultimate flexibility, with regular optional meetings with faculty.
- Weekly opportunities to engage directly with professors, administrators, and peers.
- Distinguished, expert faculty provide individualized support and feedback.
Professor Wadlinger helped me take the training wheels off my technical writing skills. I appreciated the way I could immediately apply what I was learning to my work at Andersen.”
Carissa Von KochTax Senior Manager
Application Requirements
- Resume
- Official transcript
- Statement of interest
Program Overview and Requirements
Students in the Tax Research & Writing Certificate program are working professionals. The Certificate can be completed in three successive semesters and students may begin the program in the Fall, Spring, or Summer semester. Each semester runs for seven weeks and students must earn five units total in the following courses:
Tax Law at USF
In the world of tax law, critical thinking, keeping up with technology, and clear communication can mean the difference between a happy client and a former client. Learn more about what it's like to learn tax law from Professor Nate Wadlinger.
About Our Coursework
Students in the Certificate program begin with Tax Writing I, which focuses on tax analysis and writing. Through research projects and the preparation of memoranda, students learn to analyze tax issues and prepare written materials that support their position. Students begin by drafting a tax memo for firm files and learn about different tax authorities that are critical for tax writing. They also review ways to effectively use a tax AI tool while recognizing its pitfalls.
In the second course, Taxation Research, students dive into tax research sources and techniques used by tax lawyers and professionals, including online tax services, statutes, legislative history, administrative authorities, case law, and secondary sources (e.g. Checkpoint, CCA, Bloomberg BNA, Tax Notes, Westpoint, AccessLex, etc.) The course focuses on developing an effective research process, including practice with realistic tax research problems.
Building on the analytical and writing skills developed in Tax Writing I and Tax Research, in Tax Writing II, students prepare written tax materials such as memoranda, responses to IRS notices, and requests for IRS private letter rulings. Students draft client letters and review substantive tax law and common tax issues, including common code sections, cases, and doctrines.
Courses are graded on a credit/ no credit basis and grades are generally determined based on the research and writing projects, as well as quizzes and other assignments. Typically, students complete three writing projects in both Tax Writing I and Tax Writing II, for six total supervised writing projects.
Faculty
Expert faculty are ready to guide and mentor you as you gain an in-depth understanding of tax technical writing and research.
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