By Gil Pound 

I t’s tax time across the United States. Many Americans are putting on their amateur accountant hats as they file their state and federal returns. 

With the growing popularity of artificial intelligence, self-filing taxpayers may be tempted to turn to AI technology to prepare their returns. Georgia College & State University lecturer of accounting Scott Burns says it’s not yet time to hand tax filing over to AI. 

“AI looks so efficient, but at this stage it can really only be used as a tool,” he said. “Human intervention and knowing what to look for are still so important.” 

Some tax software applications use AI to automatically transfer info from a PDF of a W-2 to a tax return. But Burns warns even that time-saving measure should be checked as AI can still make costly errors 5 to 10% of the time. 

“AI will continue to soak up more and more of the process, but we are not, in my opinion, close enough to where we take the human intervention out of filing tax returns,” Burns said. 

In-person tax prep for free at GCSU 

While AI continues to improve, Georgia College accounting students are getting hands-on experience filing real tax returns through the United Way’s free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. To volunteer, students must first pass three different IRS certification exams. Each return goes before two students and Burns – who is also a CPA – before final approval. 

The VITA program doubles as a service to the community and a valuable learning opportunity for students. 

“We can do a lot of tax theory in classes,” said Burns. “We can even do some tax preparation in classes, but there’s no substitute for sitting down with a taxpayer and turning that into a tax return. That is the most beneficial way students learn how the process works.” 

Taxpayers with an annual household income less than $75,000 can take advantage of the free program. Most returns are done in one sitting, usually in no more than 90 minutes.  

VITA appointments can be made on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. through March 26. The program meets in Atkinson Hall Room 110. To schedule an appointment, call 478-388-1956. 

The road to authentic intelligence in AI 

AI may not be ready to take over filing taxes, but computer scientists agree the technology is here to stay. With AI’s emergence, businesses are looking for employees who can utilize it in meaningful and responsible ways. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, employment in computer and information systems management is projected to grow 15% over the next decade, with more than 55,000 new jobs expected annually. 

Georgia College has avenues to help both the future and current workforce harness the power of AI with three Master of Management Information Systems Graduate Certificates offered through the J. Whitney Bunting College of Business & Technology. 

“AI is in everything we do and touch,” said Dr. Faye McIntyre, interim dean of the College of Business & Technology. “Georgia College’s liberal arts background of critical thinking, complex problem-solving, collaboration and teamwork will help make sure humans are the ones who stay in charge of AI, not the other way around.” 

The stackable certificates in Data Analytics and Applied Machine Learning (turning raw data into actionable intelligence), Generative AI and Systems Development (design and development of modern information systems alongside AI), and Enterprise Systems and Applied AI (applying AI techniques to enhance decision making and efficiency) are available to both postgraduate degree-seeking students and independent learners. Thanks to strategic partnerships, industry-leading technology platforms such as IBM WatsonX, SAP, Celonis, Base 44, Salesforce and others are integrated into each certificate program. The courses necessary for the certificates are entirely online, creating easier access for individuals already working in the field. 

“We can either blindly let AI go, or make sure people stay in the loop,” said Dr. Jeannie Pridmore, chair of the Department of Information Systems and Computer Science. “AI allows us to be superhuman as long as we have a firm foundation.”

Header Images: The VITA program gives accounting students hands-on experience filing real tax returns. (Photos: Janelle Tyler)