OpenAI Alert: ChatGPT and the Surge in Tax Queries

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Key Takeaways

1OpenAI observed a fourfold increase in tax queries on ChatGPT between 2025 and 2026.

2Nearly one-third of the questions asked relate to income, forms, and tax software.

3An Adobe survey reveals that the use of AI for taxes surged from 11% to 26% in one year.

💡Why it matters — The rise of AI in tax management raises questions about the reliability of automated advice in the face of critical financial issues.

The Rise of ChatGPT for Tax Questions

In the United States, an increasing number of taxpayers are turning to ChatGPT for help with their taxes. OpenAI, the company behind this chatbot, has recently warned against excessive reliance on its tool for tax advice. This alert comes as the use of ChatGPT for tax-related questions has significantly increased.

A Significant Increase in Queries

OpenAI has shared data revealing that the number of tax-related searches on ChatGPT quadrupled in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. This significant jump indicates a growing trend among users to turn to artificial intelligence for complex issues, particularly those concerning their tax obligations.

A Clear Warning

In a post on X, OpenAI published a graph illustrating the distribution of tax questions posed to ChatGPT. At the bottom of this graph, a crucial warning was present: "ChatGPT is not intended to replace professional advice." This mention underscores the importance of not relying solely on AI for critical financial decisions.

The Most Common Areas of Inquiry

As Tax Day approaches, American users have intensified their use of ChatGPT for tax questions. Statistics show that queries quadrupled between the first quarter of 2025 and that of 2026. Among these questions, about one-third pertain to income and withholdings, while over 30% of users seek help with filling out forms and using tax software. Approximately 10% of the questions relate to investment topics and retirement reporting.

The Impact of AI on Tax Filings

A survey conducted by Adobe among 1,010 full-time employees revealed a notable increase in the use of AI for tax filing. The results show that American workers are 136% more likely to use AI for their tax filings in 2026 compared to the previous year. This adoption rose from 11% in 2024 to 26% for 2025 filings submitted in 2026.

The Limitations of AI in the Tax Field

Although companies like H&R Block and TurboTax have integrated AI features into their services, tax experts warn about the potential errors of these technologies. Chatbots and other AI agents can still make mistakes, which can have costly consequences for users who rely on them for complex tasks like U.S. tax legislation. Therefore, it is advisable to exercise caution and not to rely solely on these tools for critical tax advice.