I have been working in AI and tax for many years, and I am genuinely excited about the opportunities AI presents. However, I also understand that adopting AI can feel daunting, especially in a field as precise and high-stakes as tax. That’s why I’ve written this guide—to provide practical, actionable advice on how to start using AI confidently and effectively in your tax research.
AI is already transforming industries worldwide, and tax is no exception. If you are a tax firm leader or a tax professional in practice, you've likely heard about AI's potential to improve efficiency and decision-making. But where do you begin? And how do you navigate the challenges?
At the Chartered Accountants Ireland Technology Conference in January 2025, KPMG identified five major barriers to AI adoption in tax functions:
Data Security
Limited AI Skills
High Implementation Costs
Lack of Transparency
Uncertain ROI
Other challenges include inconsistent data quality, bias in AI models, and regulatory compliance concerns. This guide will help you overcome these barriers and integrate AI into your tax research with confidence.
AI is not about replacing tax professionals but about enhancing their efficiency and accuracy. AI-powered tools can automate repetitive tasks, improve research accuracy, and provide deeper insights into complex tax matters.
Automated Tax Law Research: AI can rapidly scan and interpret thousands of pages of legislation, case law, and regulatory updates. At Leapifai.com, we use Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to ensure our AI is always based on accurate, up-to-date Irish and EU tax law.
Data Analysis & Pattern Recognition: AI can identify patterns in tax filings, reducing the risk of errors and uncovering opportunities for optimization.
Chatbots & Virtual Assistants: AI-powered assistants can answer basic tax queries, freeing up professionals for more complex work.
Compliance Monitoring: AI can flag potential compliance issues, ensuring firms stay up-to-date with changing regulations.
Now, let’s explore how to address the challenges of AI adoption in tax research.
Security and privacy are paramount when handling tax-related data. If you're evaluating AI tools for your tax firm, consider these key security features:
Your AI tool should adhere to:
Irish Data Protection Act 2018
Revenue Commissioners' Data Protection Guidelines
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
At Leapifai, we chose Amazon Web Services (AWS) for its:
ISO 27001-certified security
Data encryption at rest and in transit
Regular security updates
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Single Sign-On (SSO) integration
To ensure AI-generated responses are reliable:
Full citations and references to tax legislation, Revenue guidance, and case law.
Step-by-step reasoning for all AI-generated insights.
Regular AI accuracy reviews to reflect evolving Irish tax laws.
Many tax professionals hesitate to use AI tools due to a perceived lack of technical skills. Here’s how to make AI adoption easier:
Use AI for simple tasks like legal research or summarizing complex documents.
Take advantage of free trials, such as Leapifai.com, to explore AI tools.
Participate in AI training programs offered by Chartered Accountants Ireland, Irish Tax Institute, and ACCA.
Encourage staff to take online courses on AI applications in finance and tax.
Many firms worry about the expense of AI adoption. Here’s how to approach it strategically:
Many AI platforms, including Leapifai.com, offer trials so you can assess time savings and efficiency gains firsthand.
Track metrics like time saved, error reduction, and improved research quality.
BDO reports an ROI of 3.5x to 10x from AI adoption in finance.
AI is already reshaping tax research. By starting small, testing tools firsthand, and measuring impact, you can integrate AI into your practice with confidence.
✔ Get started - Engage with vendors and sign up for free trials. ✔ AI is a tool, not a replacement - It complements your expertise. ✔ Security matters - Ensure your AI provider follows industry-best security practices. ✔ Training is essential - Many AI tools are intuitive; explore and experiment. ✔ Cost shouldn’t be a barrier - Test AI solutions and measure ROI for your firm. ✔ Engage with technology vendors - Share your feedback to improve AI tools.
We have been busy creating Ireland’s first AI for Tax Research for almost a year. My team and I are engaging with tax advisors in Ireland to understand your needs, and I would love to hear from more of you.
👉 Sign up for a free trial of Leapifai.com and let me know what you think. Your insights and feedback will shape how AI can best support tax professionals in Ireland.