Feeling overwhelmed as tax season nears, many Americans are exploring new ways to streamline their filings. AI-powered chatbots promise faster answers and potential refund boosts, but tax professionals urge users to proceed with caution.
With roughly six weeks remaining before the April 15 tax deadline, some filers are turning to artificial intelligence chatbots for help with returns. However, experts emphasize that AI suggestions should be verified against IRS rules and individual circumstances.
Tech Titans Tout AI Tax Tools
“Grok can help with your taxes,” Elon Musk said in an X post on Tuesday. Developed by Musk’s venture xAI and integrated within X, Grok has gained attention for its ability to review past filings and suggest optimizations.
The post cited another X post by James Burnham, general counsel for xAI and X, who described a user who employed Grok to double-check a tax return and claimed a bigger refund.
“Disclaimer: This/Grok is not tax advice so always confirm yourself too,” wrote Burnham, who works as general counsel for xAI and X.
Experts Highlight Accuracy Risks
Tom O’Saben, director of tax content and government relations at the National Association of Tax Professionals, warns that a larger refund figure from an AI tool does not guarantee correctness. He recommends reviewing prior tax returns to understand year-over-year changes in balances due or refunds.
New provisions under President Donald Trump’s big beautiful bill have introduced income-based phase-outs, adding layers of complexity. “Each of the areas have some nuance,” said Michael Deering, a partner and tax services leader at Mowery and Schoenfeld.
Complex interactions between deductions and credits can be difficult for AI to fully interpret, especially when multiple provisions phase in or out at different income thresholds.
Adoption Trends and Privacy Concerns
Although tools like Grok, ChatGPT and Claude – as well as AI features in traditional tax software – are widely available, many filers remain skeptical. In a January survey of about 2,000 taxpayers by Invoice Home, only 37% said they would consider trusting AI over a tax professional in 2026, down from 43% in 2025. Others are still hesitant to use AI when preparing their documents.
Data privacy also remains a top concern. O’Saben, who employs AI for generic research in his practice, advises against entering sensitive details such as Social Security numbers or account information into chatbots. “You’re ultimately responsible for all of the entries on that return, and you sign a statement at the bottom” saying it’s correct to the best of your knowledge, he said.