Overview
- OpenAI reported a fourfold jump in tax questions on ChatGPT from the first quarter of 2025 to the first quarter of 2026 and added a disclaimer that it is not a replacement for professional advice.
- Accounting experts warned that general chatbots misapply tax rules, make basic calculation mistakes, and sometimes fabricate answers that can swing a refund or a balance due.
- Independent evaluations found even the best systems solved only a minority of scenarios, with errors touching core benefits such as the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit and some results off by more than $2,000.
- Privacy poses a major risk because getting personalized help often means sharing Social Security numbers, W‑2s, 1099s, bank details, and home addresses that platforms may store or use to train models.
- Taxpayers remain legally responsible for what they file, and the IRS is warning about scams and identity theft, so experts suggest using AI to explain terms or draft questions to bring to a CPA or trusted preparer.