US edition

AI tips for US accountants and bookkeepers. Weekly.

For accountants and bookkeepers working with US clients. New to AI? No problem. We start simple, and every tip is sourced.

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Latest issue

Week of Monday, October 26, 2026

Issue 1: Plain-English AI help and renewing your 2027 PTIN

Plain-English answers from Google, an AI draft of your document requests, and your 2027 PTIN renewal.

Read Issue 1

Start here: try this today

Three tips to try today, each under five minutes. Every issue brings more like these, plus a how-to and the US rules that matter.

1. Ask Copilot in Excel to explain a formula

Select a cell with a formula, choose the Copilot icon next to it, then pick "Explain this formula."

What to check: test it against a figure you can work out by hand.

You'll need: a Microsoft 365 plan that includes Copilot (for example Personal or Family, for the subscription owner), or a work plan your organization has set up for Copilot. Save the file to OneDrive with AutoSave on.

Sources: Microsoft Support · Copilot plans

2. Get the gist of a long email thread

In Outlook, select "Summary by Copilot" at the top of the thread. In Gmail, read the AI Overview summary at the top.

What to check: open the original emails before acting on any date, amount, or request.

You'll need: Outlook needs Copilot in your Microsoft 365 plan. Gmail summaries work on free personal accounts and on eligible paid plans. Gmail's "Help me write" also works on free personal accounts in the US.

Sources: Microsoft Support · Gmail Help

3. Ask your accounting software a plain question

Xero: open JAX and ask "What was my total income in the last six months?"
QuickBooks Online: open Intuit Intelligence and ask "Why did my net income drop last quarter?"
Sage: open Sage Copilot and ask a plain question about your figures.

What to check: compare the answer with your Profit and Loss report, and open the transactions it points to before you change anything.

You'll need: JAX is available to all Xero subscribers and users, currently at no extra charge. In the US, chat is included with your QuickBooks Online plan, with monthly usage limits (an add-on raises the limit for $10 a month). In the US, Sage says Copilot is available in some Sage products, such as Sage Intacct, and that availability varies by product and region.

Sources: Xero · QuickBooks Support · Sage

Golden rule for every tip: don't paste identifiable client data into a tool your firm hasn't approved.

Your local rules

The tools and tips are the same in both editions. This is what the US edition adds:

Tax and deadlines: 1099s, sales tax, and IRS dates.
Sales tax by state: where you or your clients may need to collect, and how filing schedules differ from state to state.
The IRS: guidance and updates, in plain English, with links.
Data security: the FTC Safeguards Rule and keeping your WISP (written information security plan) up to date when you add AI tools.
Professional standards: what the AICPA says about AI in practice.

Local example: let QuickBooks suggest sales tax categories

Go to All apps, then Sales Tax, then Overview. Select "Sales tax categories," then the Uncategorized tab, to see the suggested sales tax category for each product or service.

What to check: review each suggestion before you select "Confirm suggestion." If it doesn't look right, select "Deny" or pick your own category.

You'll need: QuickBooks Online with automated sales tax (not included in QuickBooks Online Free). On Plus, Advanced, and Intuit Enterprise Suite, a "Pre-file check" also compares your Profit and Loss with your Sales tax liability report before you file.

Sources: QuickBooks Support · QuickBooks plans · Pre-file check

What's in each issue

Five-minute win: a quick thing to try in Copilot, Gemini, or your accounting software.
This week's how-to: an everyday task such as reconciliations, categorization, client requests, or the monthly close, step by step.
Quick tips: two short tips, often with a prompt to copy and a note on what to check.
Tool spotlight: a regular closer look at one tool, such as a feature in QuickBooks, Xero, or Sage, and what to check before you rely on it.
Your US rules this week: coming-up dates for 1099s, sales tax, and the IRS, plus what's changed.
From the regulators: IRS updates, data-security rules, and AICPA guidance, with links.