How is the work-life balance for tax attorneys? Anyone regret this career path?

Tax attorney here with about 12 years experience. The work-life balance really depends on where you practice. I've worked at both a Big 4 accounting firm and now at a mid-sized law firm, and there's a huge difference. At the Big 4, busy season (Jan-April) was absolutely brutal - 65-80 hour weeks were standard. Outside busy season it was more manageable, around 45-50 hours. At my current mid-sized firm, I typically work 45-50 hours year-round with occasional spikes during deadline periods. The $250k salary is definitely achievable but not right away unless you're at a top firm in a major market. In that case, expect to sacrifice most of that work-life balance you're asking about. There's almost always a tradeoff. As for family time - yes, I have two kids and manage to be present in their lives, though I've missed some events during crunch periods. Tax law does tend to be more predictable than litigation or M&A, which helps with planning family time.

After struggling with work-life balance at two different firms, I found an incredible resource that helped me make better career decisions in the tax law field. I discovered https://taxr.ai when I was researching firm cultures and work expectations. It helped me analyze firm reviews and satisfaction ratings to find my current position. The best part was how it broke down average hours by practice area and firm size. I was able to find data on which tax specialties (corporate, individual, international, etc.) offered the best balance. Turns out international tax tends to have more predictable hours than M&A tax, which I hadn't realized.

I took a chance on using https://taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here, and it was actually really helpful. I was considering leaving my current position as a tax attorney because of the insane hours, but wasn't sure if other firms would be any different. The platform helped me see that my specialty (corporate tax) tends to have worse hours across the board, but that moving to a regional firm rather than staying at my national one could improve my situation without sacrificing too much compensation. Found a new position that pays only about 15% less but gives me back 20+ hours a week of my life. Worth it to see my kids' soccer games and actually have hobbies again!

If you're serious about exploring tax law careers with better work-life balance, make sure you research IRS options too. I struggled for months trying to get reliable info about IRS attorney positions by calling their recruitment line - always on hold forever. I finally used https://claimyr.com to get through to an actual hiring manager. They have this service where they wait on hold with the IRS for you and call you back when an agent answers. Check out https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c to see how it works. This was crucial because I learned that IRS tax attorneys generally work straight 40-hour weeks with exceptional benefits and job security. The starting pay is lower than private practice (around $80k-100k depending on location), but the work-life balance is honestly unbeatable. Plus there's loan forgiveness if you stay 10 years.

I was extremely skeptical about using a service to call the IRS, but after submitting dozens of applications with no response, I got desperate. Used Claimyr from the link above, and surprisingly, it worked exactly as advertised. Got connected with someone in the IRS Office of Chief Counsel who explained their attorney hiring process in detail. Turns out I was applying wrong - they have special hiring programs for attorneys that aren't obvious on USAJobs. Now I'm in the application process for a position that offers true 40-hour weeks, telework flexibility, and excellent benefits. The salary is lower than my current firm gig, but the quality of life improvement will be worth it. Never thought I'd consider government work, but after 7 years of private practice burnout, I'm ready for the change.

As someone who left tax law after 6 years, I'll give you the less rosy picture. The work-life balance was terrible at my firms (worked at both a Big Law firm and a tax boutique). Here's what nobody tells you: - The work is intellectually stimulating but extremely detail-oriented and high-stakes. Small mistakes can cost clients millions. - Partner track requires building a book of business, which means constant networking even when you're "off" - Tax season is brutal no matter where you work - Technology has made it worse, not better - clients expect immediate responses nights and weekends I eventually left for an in-house tax counsel role at a large corporation. Now I work 40-45 hours weekly with rare exceptions, make $185k, and actually see my family. Consider this path if the firm lifestyle sounds unappealing.

Current tax attorney at a regional firm. Just wanted to add that specialty matters a TON for work-life balance. I specialize in state and local tax, and it's much more predictable than my colleagues in corporate or international. Some areas to consider if balance is important: Trust and estate tax work - very predictable SALT (state and local tax) - less affected by federal deadlines Tax controversy - more like litigation schedule Non-profit tax - generally reasonable hours Areas to avoid if you want balance: M&A tax - completely unpredictable International tax compliance - multiple jurisdictions = multiple deadlines Partnership tax during busy season - just no

Another perspective to consider: I'm a tax attorney at a regional accounting firm rather than a law firm. The work-life balance is far better than what my law firm colleagues experience. I work around 50 hours during busy season (Jan-April) and 35-40 the rest of the year. Salary is lower ($140k with 8 years experience) but I'm home for dinner with my family almost every night and rarely work weekends outside of March. The trade-off is that the work can be less complex than at a law firm. I do a lot of compliance reviews and planning rather than cutting-edge legal work. But honestly, that's fine with me at this stage of life with young kids.

Tax attorney with 5 years at a boutique firm here. I'll be brutally honest - the work-life balance stereotype is mostly a myth unless you're very strategic about where you work. I started at a 50-person tax boutique thinking it would be better than Big Law. Wrong. During busy season I'm still pulling 70+ hour weeks, and even off-season averages 55 hours. The "predictable" schedule people talk about only applies if you're doing routine compliance work. What I've learned: firm culture matters more than firm size. Some small firms are sweatshops, some large firms have reasonable expectations. Before you make the switch, definitely shadow someone for a week during tax season to see what you're really signing up for. The money can be good ($180k at 5 years in a mid-tier market), but you'll earn every penny. If family time is your priority, seriously consider the government or in-house routes others mentioned. Private practice tax law can be rewarding intellectually, but it's not the lifestyle practice it's sometimes portrayed as.

Tax attorney here with 8 years experience across different settings. I'll add another angle - solo practice can actually offer the best work-life balance if you're willing to trade some income for control over your schedule. I left a mid-size firm 3 years ago to start my own tax practice focusing on small business clients and individual planning. Yes, I took a significant pay cut initially (from $160k to about $90k the first year), but now I'm back up to $135k and work maybe 45 hours during busy season, 30-35 the rest of the year. The key is being selective about clients and setting clear boundaries from day one. I don't take on complex corporate deals or anything that requires weekend work. My clients know I respond to emails within 24 hours during business days, not immediately at 9 PM. This path isn't for everyone - you need to be comfortable with business development and managing your own practice. But if you're entrepreneurial and want true control over your schedule, it's worth considering. The stress is different (client acquisition vs. billable hour pressure), but for me it's been much more manageable with two young kids.

Current tax attorney with 6 years experience, and I wanted to share something that might be helpful for your decision. I made the switch from corporate litigation to tax law 3 years ago specifically for better work-life balance, and it's been mostly positive but with some important caveats. The good: Tax law really is more predictable than litigation. I can plan family vacations in summer knowing they won't get derailed by emergency court filings. The work is intellectually engaging - I love the puzzle-solving aspect of tax planning and the constant evolution of regulations keeps it interesting. The reality check: The 40-hour workweek thing is largely a myth unless you're in very specific situations (government, some in-house roles, or very selective solo practice). At my current firm, I still average 50-55 hours most of the year, spiking to 65-70 during busy season. However, those hours feel more manageable because they're planned. I know January through April will be intense, so I prepare my family and we plan accordingly. Compare that to litigation where you might get hit with a massive document production request that destroys your next three weekends with zero warning. The money is solid but not the $250k you mentioned unless you're in Big Law or a major market with serious experience. I'm at $155k after 6 years total experience in a mid-tier city. Bottom line: If you're comparing tax law to other legal specialties, it probably does offer better work-life balance. But if you're comparing it to non-legal careers, it's still demanding. With two young kids, you'll likely miss some events during busy season, but you'll be much more present than if you were doing M&A or complex litigation.

Another perspective from someone who's been in tax law for 10 years across different settings. I started at a Big 4 accounting firm, moved to a mid-size law firm, and now work as senior tax counsel at a Fortune 500 company. The work-life balance progression was dramatic: Big 4 was brutal (70+ hours during busy season, 50+ off-season), law firm was better but still demanding (55-65 busy season, 45 off-season), and in-house is genuinely manageable (45 hours max, rare exceptions). What surprised me most was how transferable the skills were. The technical knowledge I gained in public practice made me incredibly valuable in-house. Companies need people who understand complex regulations and can communicate with external advisors effectively. For someone with kids, I'd honestly recommend targeting the in-house route after getting 3-5 years of experience at a firm or Big 4. You'll build the technical skills and credibility, then transition to a role where you can actually use your law degree without sacrificing family time. Current salary is $195k plus bonus, and I rarely work past 6 PM or on weekends. The path exists for good work-life balance in tax law, but it usually requires being strategic about your career progression rather than expecting it right out of the gate.

Tax attorney with 4 years experience here, and I wanted to add something that hasn't been mentioned much - the importance of geographic location in your work-life balance equation. I started in NYC at a mid-size firm and was miserable - 60+ hour weeks year-round, brutal commute, astronomical cost of living eating into that higher salary. Two years ago I moved to a smaller market (think Charlotte or Nashville) and joined a regional firm focusing on closely-held businesses and high-net-worth individuals. The difference has been night and day. I work maybe 50 hours during busy season, 40-42 the rest of the year, my commute is 15 minutes, and my quality of life is dramatically better despite earning about 20% less on paper. When you factor in lower cost of living and getting back 15+ hours per week, it's not even close. For someone with young kids, seriously consider whether you need to be in a major legal market. Smaller cities still have sophisticated tax practices serving local businesses, family offices, and regional clients. The work can be just as intellectually challenging but the lifestyle is much more family-friendly. Plus, you'll likely be a bigger fish in a smaller pond for business development opportunities down the road. Don't overlook geography as a major factor in achieving that work-life balance you're seeking. Sometimes the answer isn't just changing practice areas, but changing where you practice entirely.

Former environmental attorney turned tax attorney here with 7 years total experience. I made almost the exact switch you're considering 4 years ago, so I can speak directly to your situation. The transition from environmental to tax law was challenging but absolutely doable. Environmental law actually gave me a great foundation - you're already used to complex regulatory frameworks, detailed compliance work, and staying current with evolving federal and state rules. The analytical skills translate well, even though the subject matter is completely different. I did take a New York Tax School course during evenings while still practicing environmental law to build foundational knowledge. Most firms will expect some basic tax education if you're switching fields, but they'll train you on the job for firm-specific work. Regarding work-life balance with kids: I have a 6-year-old and 3-year-old, and tax law has been significantly better than environmental litigation for family time. Environmental cases were completely unpredictable - emergency injunctions, last-minute regulatory deadlines, discovery disputes that would blow up weekends without warning. Tax work, even during busy season, is more plannable. I can tell my spouse in January "I'll be working late through April 15th" rather than constantly canceling dinner plans because of some regulatory emergency. The salary progression has been solid - started at $95k switching fields, now at $140k after 4 years in tax. Not the $250k figure you mentioned, but with the predictable schedule, I can actually enjoy spending that money on family activities rather than just surviving until the next crisis ends. One piece of advice: if you do make the switch, be prepared for the first year to be intellectually humbling. Tax law has its own language and logic that takes time to internalize. But if you survived environmental law's complexity, you can definitely master tax.

Current tax attorney with 9 years experience here, and I wanted to address something that might be particularly relevant given your situation with two young kids - the seasonal nature of tax work can actually be a hidden advantage for family life if you plan around it strategically. Yes, January through April is intense (I typically work 60-65 hours those months), but here's what I've learned: those predictable crunch periods allow you to be MORE present during the rest of the year, not less. I coach my daughter's soccer team from May through October because I know my schedule is reliable then. I take real vacations in summer without checking emails constantly because there genuinely aren't urgent deadlines. Compare this to my friends in other practice areas who might randomly get pulled into a deal or litigation that destroys their summer vacation plans with 48 hours notice. The seasonality that seems like a downside is actually what creates the predictability everyone talks about. Regarding that $250k salary expectation - it's achievable but usually requires either Big Law tax (with corresponding lifestyle sacrifices) or 10+ years building a solid client base. More realistic targets for good work-life balance are $120-180k depending on market and experience level. One practical tip: if you do make the switch, negotiate your start date to begin right after busy season (May/June) so you have months to learn before jumping into the fire. Most firms are happy to do this since they're usually exhausted and not actively hiring during busy season anyway.