EXPERT PITCH: WVU expert details important considerations for taxpayers using AI for tax preparation | WVU Today
Publish Date: 2026-03-31 08:30:00
Source Domain: wvutoday.wvu.edu
A West Virginia University accounting expert says AI tools can be a helpful starting point for tax questions but should not replace professional guidance or verified sources of tax law.
(WVU Photo)
A West Virginia University accounting scholar says while artificial intelligence tools, like ChatGPT, can be a useful starting point for searching for tax information, it’s important to verify the accuracy of any generated tax guidance.
Lauren Cooper, associate professor of accounting in the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics, studies how technology intersects with and impacts the accounting profession.
She is available to discuss how AI tools can be helpful during tax season, how AI systems can create risk or misinformation, and what taxpayers — from W-2 filers to small business owners — need to know about depending on AI for tax guidance.
Her comments are provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax advice.
Quotes:
“AI tools like ChatGPT can be a helpful starting point when searching for tax information. They can save time by summarizing tax laws and helping users identify issues to research further, but individuals should be cautious with relying solely on AI for tax guidance because the information it provides is not always accurate.
“The quality of responses can depend on how a question is worded. Users may need to provide additional information to guide AI tools to generate more accurate answers. It is also important to remember that AI tools are not official sources of tax law. Generated responses should always be verified using tax laws.
“One concern is that AI tools may not properly evaluate taxpayer-specific information in generating responses. In most situations, an evaluation of taxpayers’ fact patterns is necessary. AI tools may not have enough information to arrive at an appropriate conclusion for the user’s situation.
“Another…
