I Asked ChatGPT Which Tax Moves Can Save You Hundreds This Season — Here’s What It Said
Many people approach tax season with a singular goal — to save as much money as possible. Fortunately, unlike running a five-minute mile or becoming a master chef from YouTube videos, this goal is actually achievable. Making smart tax moves can help you save hundreds of dollars — and you can start this tax season.
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Given that many of the tax pros I know are rather busy right now, I decided to ask another source: ChatGPT. While I wouldn’t trust AI with more intricate details about my taxes — no offense, ChatGPT — it did offer some baseline insights about tax moves that could save me hundreds of dollars. I’ll definitely bring these to my accountant’s attention, and you should, too.
1. Contribute to an IRA Before the Tax Deadline
Have you been putting off contributing to a traditional IRA? ChatGPT urges you to make it a priority. You can still contribute to a traditional IRA for the previous tax year until the filing deadline — typically April 15 (or the next business day, if April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday).
Why is the AI so insistent? If you’re eligible to deduct your traditional IRA contribution, you can reduce your taxable income dollar for dollar.
The AI even offered a scenario to prove its point: “For example: contribute $3,000 and you might save $360–$660+ in taxes depending on your bracket,” it wrote.
For the 2025 tax year, the contribution limit is $7,000, or $8,000 if you’re age 50 or older.
2. Use a Health Savings Account
ChatGPT says that if you have a high-deductible health plan, a health savings account (HSA) can be one of your “most powerful tax breaks.” It’s a bold claim. However, the AI backs it up with a few data points:
Contributions can be made pre-tax (such as through payroll) or deducted on your tax return
Growth is tax-free
Withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free
For 2025, you could contribute up to about $4,300 as an individual or $8,550 for family coverage. For 2026, Fidelity reports limits of $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage, plus a $1,000 catch-up contribution for people 55 and older who aren’t enrolled in Medicare.
3. Claim the Earned Income Tax Credit
ChatGPT makes a provocative claim about this tax move: “About 1 in 5 eligible taxpayers don’t claim it.” That’s consistent with IRS guidance, which estimates that about one in five eligible taxpayers don’t claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Unfortunately, the AI doesn’t explain much about what the earned income tax credit (EITC) actually is, though it did share a link to an Investopedia article where it gathered the information.
In that article, writer Elizabeth Guevara offered a brief overview of why the EITC is so useful:
“The EITC provides more than $8,000 in tax credits that low- to moderate-income families can subtract from the taxes they owe,” she wrote. “This tax credit is also refundable, meaning taxpayers can receive a refund even if they don’t owe any taxes.”
Guevara also cited IRS data showing that about 20% of eligible taxpayers don’t claim the credit. It’s worth checking whether you qualify — and if you do, don’t end up in that one in five leaving money on the table.
4. Check Education Credits
Whether you’re pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree, or simply taking classes to boost your career skills, you may be eligible for the Lifetime Learning Credit. ChatGPT noted that if you’re taking courses at an eligible institution, even a single class could qualify you for this credit.
The IRS says the Lifetime Learning Credit can be worth up to $2,000 per tax return for qualified tuition and related expenses for eligible students at an eligible educational institution — including courses to acquire or improve job skills.
5. Consider Itemizing This Year (New SALT Rule)
The AI explained that recent changes have increased the state and local tax deduction (SALT) cap from $10,000 to $40,000 for 2025 returns.
That said, there’s more nuance here than ChatGPT let on. Most importantly: you only benefit from SALT if you itemize deductions, and itemizing only helps if your total itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction for your filing status.
Writing for Kiplinger, Kelley R. Taylor explained that “the ‘big beautiful bill’ raises the SALT cap from $10,000 to $40,000 for 2025 returns." She added that the cap will increase by 1% annually through 2029, with phaseouts beginning for households with modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) over $500,000.
Taylor also noted that this expansion is temporary. After 2029, the SALT deduction cap is scheduled to revert to $10,000. This is definitely something to ask a professional about.
The Bottom Line
Saving hundreds of dollars this tax season is possible with a few smart, strategic moves. ChatGPT has outlined several approaches that savvy taxpayers may want to discuss with their tax advisers to take advantage of potential savings.
That said, it’s worth remembering that AI doesn’t know everything — and it doesn’t always provide full context. Use this as a starting point, not a substitute for tax advice — and follow up with IRS guidance and/or a qualified tax professional before you make money moves based on a chatbot’s suggestions.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice.
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