As the April deadline for tax filing approaches, there is a noticeable shift among taxpayers towards utilizing AI-powered tools to manage their tax returns. Despite the convenience these chatbots offer, tax experts urge users to exercise caution to ensure compliance and precision.
The Role of AI Chatbots in Tax Filing
With approximately six weeks remaining until the April 15 tax deadline, a segment of taxpayers is exploring the use of AI chatbots for assistance in filing their returns. Recently, Elon Musk announced in a post on X that “Grok can help with your taxes.” This generative AI chatbot, developed by Musk’s company xAI, is integrated into X to aid users with diverse inquiries.
Musk’s post was in response to a previous post by xAI’s general counsel, James Burnham, who mentioned that someone had used Grok to verify tax returns and ended up with a larger refund. Burnham added, “Disclaimer: This/Grok is not tax advice so always confirm yourself too.”
Advice from Experts and Best Practices
Finding a larger refund through AI does not necessarily mean the return is accurate, experts warn. Tom O’Saben, director of tax content and government relations at the National Association of Tax Professionals, suggests that taxpayers should compare recent filings to analyze changes in refunds or balances from previous years.
Challenges Posed by Complex Tax Legislation
Significant changes to credits and deductions were implemented for 2025 returns under President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill.” Michael Deering, CPA and partner at Mowery and Schoenfeld, points out, “Each of the areas have some nuance.”
New tax breaks often include phase-outs that adjust or eliminate benefits based on income, which can be difficult for AI tools to interpret accurately across various return sections, according to Deering.
Data privacy concerns also influence user decisions. A survey in January by Invoice Home revealed that in 2026, only 37% of about 2,000 respondents would consider trusting AI over a tax professional, a decrease from 43% in 2025. Many remain wary of using AI for tax filing.
Data Privacy and Accountability in Tax Filing
While some tax professionals use AI to enhance efficiency, they advise against inputting sensitive data—such as Social Security numbers—into chatbots. O’Saben recommends using AI for general advice and entering personal information into secure tax software.
Ultimately, the responsibility for accuracy lies with the taxpayer. O’Saben emphasizes, “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.”
