Before we get to the seven ways AI can help, there are two tax changes worth knowing this year.

First, the standard deduction increased. If you do not itemize, a larger portion of your income is shielded from federal tax. That means fewer people will benefit from itemizing mortgage interest and charitable gifts. If you are close to the line, it is smart to run the numbers both ways to determine what route to take.

Second, there is an additional deduction for taxpayers 65 and older. This extra senior deduction increases the amount of income you can exclude, but it phases out at higher income levels. It is designed to reduce the tax burden on retirees, especially those whose Social Security benefits are partially taxable.

Choose your AI assistant. In fact, it’s a good idea to use two products and compare their answers. Free service tiers will be fine for the task. Before you begin chatting with your assistants, keep this one rule in mind: Do not include sensitive information such as your social security number or upload PDFs of your tax forms. This prevents your private details from being stored or used in ways you may not fully control, and protects against your data falling into the wrong hands via a data breach. Instead, summarize key figures. AI can also occasionally generate outdated or incorrect tax rules, so always confirm critical information inside your tax software or with a professional.

Here is a plan to integrate AI into your tax prep process.

Start with a document checklist

Before opening tax software, gather your forms. Give your AI the big picture: “I am married filing jointly, one W-2, Social Security benefits, small brokerage account, no business income. What forms should I expect?” It can generate a checklist: W-2, SSA-1099, 1099-DIV or 1099-B, 1098 for mortgage interest and so on. That list becomes your starting point.

Use AI as a translator

Tax software often uses phrases like “qualified dividends” or “basis adjustment.” Instead of guessing, copy the sentence without your personal numbers and ask, “Explain this in plain English.” AI is good at decoding jargon so you can answer confidently in your filing program.

Compare standard deduction versus itemizing

If you are unsure which route saves more, summarize your totals: “Mortgage interest about $8,000, property taxes $6,000, charitable gifts $2,000.” Ask the assistant to explain how those compare to the current standard deduction. It cannot calculate your exact tax bill without full data, but it can help you decide how to proceed.

Check how Social Security is taxed

Many retirees are surprised to learn that up to 85% of Social Security benefits can be taxable depending on combined income. You can ask, “How is Social Security taxed for a couple with $30,000 in benefits and $40,000 in other income?” The assistant will walk through the concept of combined income and thresholds. That context makes it easier to see how the senior deduction and standard deduction reduce taxable income.

Organize side income

If you sold items online, did consulting work or drove occasionally for a delivery service, you may receive a 1099-NEC or 1099-K. AI can help you create a simple expense list: mileage, supplies, fees. You can paste summarized totals and ask which categories are typically deductible. It is not a substitute for professional advice, but it helps you think systematically instead of guessing.

Prepare smarter questions for a pro

If your situation is complex, AI is a good prep partner. Describe your scenario at a high level and ask, “What questions should I ask my CPA?” That might surface issues like estimated payments, retirement contributions or capital gains timing. Walking into an appointment organized saves billable hours.

Do a final sanity check

After your software shows a refund or balance due, describe the big picture without sharing personal identifiers: “Married filing jointly, income $110,000, two dependents, refund $2,100.” Ask whether that outcome seems plausible based on common credit ranges and withholding levels. AI cannot audit your return, but it can flag obvious inconsistencies such as forgetting estimated tax payments or misclassifying income.

Get started! Filing earlier narrows the window for a criminal to file first in your name and claim your refund. And know you have extra help with AI as a guide sitting beside you at your desk. It can make the process clearer, more organized and less stressful, which is often half the battle during tax season.

Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. As a mom of four, value, usefulness and online safety take priority. Have a question? Email Leslie at asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.