As the 2025 tax season approaches, tax experts are urging taxpayers to exercise caution when using AI tools for tax filing assistance. Recent legislative changes and significant personal life events can make this year's tax season particularly complex. Joyce Cheng, from the California Society of Enrolled Agents, warns that AI tools may present outdated information, leading to potential issues. She emphasizes the importance of verifying the currency of data and cross-referencing with official sources like tax professionals, the IRS, or the Franchise Tax Board in California. While social media can raise awareness about tax-related topics, Cheng advises against relying solely on these platforms for accurate information. Kaya Klotzek, a board member of the California Tax Education Council, shares concerns about the average taxpayer's ability to effectively use AI tools like ChatGPT. She highlights the potential for missing crucial details, such as changes in marital status or family structure, which may not be accounted for in AI-prompted software. Klotzek also warns about the attention-grabbing tactics of social media content creators, who often present generalized advice that may not apply to individual circumstances. Taxpayers are reminded that the deadline for filing 2025 tax returns is April 15th. Both experts recommend using official resources provided by their respective organizations to identify legitimate tax professionals and find reputable assistance for the tax season. For more information, visit the California Society of Enrolled Agents and California Tax Education Council websites.
