Tax Externship

Alice Thomas, Associate Professor of Law and IRS Externship Coordinator

Alice Gresham Bullock, Dean Emerita, Professor of Law, and IRS Externship Founder

Who can apply? Rising 2Ls and 3Ls

Application Process: Contact Professor Alice Thomas to apply.

Placement Process: Students secure their own placements prior to applying.
Pre- or Co-Requisite Course: None
Is the program year-long or semester-long? Semester-long (Fall or Spring only)
How many credits? 4

The Tax Externship was founded by renowned tax expert and former Dean of the Law School, Professor Emeritus Alice Gresham Bullock. In the course, students are placed in the Office of Chief Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service and the Tax Court here in Washington, DC. In the seminar, the professor exposes students to the practices, policies and procedures of the IRS, as well as the substantive tax laws that govern the work of the Service. Externs secure a field placement at the IRS or the Tax Court and are assigned to work on a variety of projects. Howard Law externs focus on excellence in governmental and public interest lawyering, social justice issues and professional responsibility. These key components are echoed in the work done at the field placement, as well as during the weekly one-hour required classroom seminars taught by the Professor.

The IRS Externship is a four-credit course. Students receive one graded credit for their work in the seminar and three credits for their field placement work. Students are required to work 15-20 hours per week for at least twelve weeks (or other requirements set by the Professor). Students may not be paid for any portion of the field placement for which they are receiving credit. Students may have additional application requirements, such as submitting application materials directly to the IRS, and must follow up with the Professor regarding all application requirements.

For more information about the IRS Externship Program, please contact Professor Thomas.