6 Common Barriers to AI Tax Research Adoption (And How to Overcome Them)

When it comes to AI-powered tax research, there’s a clear disconnect between what practitioners believe about this technology and how they’re actually using it.

86.6% of tax practitioners agree that firms adopting AI for tax research are at an advantage. Yet many firms remain cautious when it comes to adopting these tools themselves. 

This hesitation isn’t just frustrating for teams who want to use AI. It’s also creating risk. Here’s how:

• 54.4% of tax professionals report currently using AI for research
• Yet only 33.1% say they work for firms with formal AI solutions in place 

The discrepancy points to some unsanctioned AI use within firms. In other words, tax practitioners are likely resorting to non-tax-specific AI tools for research—without their firms knowing—putting accuracy, client privacy, and brand reputation at risk in the process.

What’s Holding Firms Back from Embracing AI

So why are firms still tiptoeing around AI adoption when their teams are clearly eager to use it?  Unfortunately, there isn’t one simple answer. 

But while the reasons may vary, the outcome is the same: firms that can’t overcome these obstacles are missing out on a competitive advantage 86.6% of their peers acknowledge.

To make sure your firm doesn’t miss out, we’ve compiled methods for moving past six of the most common barriers to adoption. Additionally, this article includes change management strategies to guide you through the whole process—whatever roadblocks you’re facing.

Six Common Barriers to AI Tool Adoption

Barrier 1: Fear of Replacement

Studies show that resistance to AI often stems from questions of value and identity. When technology starts producing outputs on par with professionals, it can make those professionals wonder where they fit in.

Barrier 2: Security Concerns

Fears about confidential client data being used to train AI models or AI tools releasing user sessions publicly can make even the most forward-thinking firms wary. In a profession built on trust, those fears are justified—but they aren’t the end of the conversation.

AI’s association with poor-quality research is largely fueled by a few scary headlines around errors and hallucinations. But choosing legacy tools over AI-powered solutions doesn’t necessarily mean avoiding research quality issues. With the majority of tax practitioners (81.3%) reporting regularly using search engines for tax research, firms are more exposed than they think—due in part to the poor user experiences of their legacy tools.

Barrier 4: Cost

The price of AI-powered tax research tools may give firms pause. For those used to the pricing of general-purpose AI tools, tax-specific AI tools can be a bit of a jump. But when small mistakes can lead to costly client outcomes, sticking with these inexpensive options often means getting what you paid for. 

For those already invested in a suite of legacy tools, the last thing they want is another bill to pay. In this case, you need to consider not just what you’re paying for, but whether you’re actually using it. When it comes to legacy tax research tools, it’s likely that at least one of those costly licenses isn’t being put to use. In the Outlook Report, we found that although respondents had access to an average of three tax research tools, they only used two on a regular basis.

Barrier 5: Retraining Time

Most firms have suffered through at least one software transition that cost them several weeks of productivity. So it’s no surprise that leaders assume training an entire team on an AI-powered platform will be equally painful.

Barrier 6: Resistance to Change

Even when the business case is clear, change is rarely comfortable. Sometimes the hesitation around AI is less about the technology itself and more about how it challenges familiar ways of working. 

For firm leaders, adopting AI means rethinking processes, retraining teams, and redefining what expertise looks like. For individual tax practitioners, it means adjusting to new workflows and new ways of working.

Master Change Management for Ultimate Success

No matter what barriers to adoption you’re facing, a solid change management strategy is essential. Those who succeed with AI adoption understand the fundamental shift this technology represents and guide their teams accordingly. 

Stage 1: Build the Foundation

Alignment comes before adoption. McKinsey advocates first crafting a North Star based on intended outcomes. Knowing what you want out of your AI-powered tax research solution will not only help you evaluate which vendor to choose, but also understand what success looks like once you’ve implemented your chosen tool. 

Stage 2: Activate and Embed

Once the foundation is in place, it’s time to start bringing people on board. A strong onboarding process will get you off on the right foot, while providing channels to share early wins and feedback ensures meaningful engagement. You’ll also want to start identifying champions at this stage, since these are the players who can amplify your activation efforts and help others along. 

Stage 3: Scale and Lead

The final phase of change management is about realizing the impact beyond adoption and use. The real value of AI-powered tax research extends far beyond the research itself; it’s also in the new types of work you can take on. Expanding your strategic advisory capabilities, creating deeper client relationships, and tackling more complex tax problems all become possible when you accelerate your research workflows. 

Throughout this stage, keep your AI North Star in mind, making sure the way you redirect your time is aligned with both your AI strategy and overall firm goals. 

What Now?

The shift toward AI-powered tax research is already underway. What will set firms apart now isn’t whether or not they adopt AI, but how they manage the change. With the right plan for integrating AI, firms can build an advantage that grows over time.

As you set out to build your own AI change management strategy, start by exploring  that advantage in-depth in the AI Tax Research Solution Outlook Report. 

And when you’re ready to take the next step, get started with Blue J and explore what the AI-powered future of tax can look like for your firm.