Few people are aware that there is a way for a person with no training beyond high school to become expert in tax matters. After passing a 4-hour test, they would be permitted to "represent" taxpayers before a federal court responsible for handling tax controversies between U.S. citizens and the IRS. Such persons are known as United States Tax Court Practitioners and they enjoy all of the same privileges that a state-licensed attorney does when practicing law, but ONLY in the United States Tax Court.

What's even more fascinating is that U.S. Tax Court Practitioners may practice in any State in the United States and its territories, or wherever the Tax Court holds sessions. This means that unlike a person who attends law school, then sits for a State bar exam and becomes licensed to practice law within the respective State (jurisdiction) that issues the license, the United States Tax Court Practitioner can accept a tax case in Oregon today, and another in Florida tomorrow. Their only responsibility is to be sure they can appear to represent their client at the time and place of the tax trial. If it's a small tax case, the Practitioner may not need to appear in Court because the Tax Court can resolve these types of cases administratively. The point being that the U.S. Tax Court Practitioner can practice tax litigation (resolve tax controversies) in a national jurisdiction and not have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to get licensed to do so.

Most importantly, the cost to become a U.S. Tax Court Practitioner is a fraction of what individuals spend to attend a traditional 3-year law school program (4 years in California, in some cases). A top IRS-approved training program (inclusive of ABA Law School tax certification and federal bar test preparation), like the one I teach in, costs about $15,000-$28,000! It's a few thousand dollars more if you have no tax training whatsoever. But that's all. And you don't have to concern yourself with traveling somewhere to sit in a classroom. The entire program is presented in audio conference format and online during days, evenings or on weekends so you can maintain a full-time job. All you need is a cell phone and hand-held device that provides access to the Internet and you're all set. Most of the study materials are transmitted electronically and are included in the price you pay for the program.

To learn more, visit http://www.taxlawinstitute.com or http://www.taxlawinstitute.ua.edu. You may also call and speak directly to someone who can answer your questions at 1.888.317.4489 or 1.888.334-3959.