Instead
AI tax agent for research, planning, preparation, filing and defense across all entity types.
Some outbound links may earn The AI Ledger a commission. Editor scores and verdicts are never influenced.
About Instead
Instead is an AI-native tax platform built around a single agent that owns tax research, planning, preparation, filing and defense. It became the first new platform in decades to receive IRS approval to e-file individual and business returns (1040, 1120, 1120-S, 1065 and 1041), supporting electronic and print filing to the IRS, 48 states and local jurisdictions.
The agent reads uploaded source documents, extracts and references the underlying data, answers complex tax questions with citations from 1,500+ authoritative sources, generates plans, workpapers and memos, and prepares returns for professional review. It links multiple entities for a client so the agent can optimise across individual, S-corp, C-corp, partnership and trust filings, and integrates with Google Drive, OneDrive and 20+ other sources.
The platform is free to use with credits charged only when the agent performs work, and is SOC 2 aligned.
Key Features
- IRS-approved e-file for the IRS, 48 states and local jurisdictions
- Single AI agent handling 1040, 1120, 1120-S, 1065 and 1041 returns
- Cited tax research drawing on 1,500+ authoritative sources (IRC, regs, case law)
- Multi-entity linking to optimise a client's total tax picture
Our in-depth review
Instead is an AI tax platform notable for a real milestone: it became the first new platform in decades to receive IRS approval to e-file individual and business returns, covering 1040, 1120, 1120-S, 1065 and 1041 across the IRS and 48 states, using a single AI agent for research, planning and filing.
What it does well, on the evidence so far: the IRS e-file approval is a genuine credential that most AI tax newcomers cannot claim, and covering both individual and business return types with one agent for research through to filing is ambitious and broad. For firms, an integrated research-to-file flow is appealing.
Where to be cautious: it is new, so independent, hands-on reviews from preparers are still limited, and tax filing is high-stakes, so accuracy and review controls matter enormously. Firms will want to test it thoroughly on known returns first.
Best for: tax preparers and firms open to an AI-native platform that handles research, planning and filing across the main return types.
Verdict: one of the more credible AI tax platforms thanks to the IRS e-file approval, which is a real bar to clear. Pilot it carefully on returns you can check, keep preparer review firmly in the loop, and it could streamline the whole research-to-file path.
At a glance
- Category
- Tax prep
- Best for
- All sizes practice
- Editor's score
- 4.5 / 5
- Pricing
- Platform is free, with unlimited users, entities and e-filing. You buy credits for agent work such as research, extraction and return preparation; credit pricing is quoted by sales and credits last 12 months.
- Last verified
- 2026-08-07
One of the more credible AI tax platforms thanks to its IRS e-file approval; pilot carefully and keep preparer review firmly in the loop.
Integrations
- Standalone platform
- Google Drive
- OneDrive
Get the weekly brief
New AI tools for accountants land every week. Get the 5-minute Friday brief, free.