In the ever-evolving world of tax research, leveraging advanced tools like CCH® AnswerConnect can significantly streamline your workflow and improve the accuracy of your findings. Explore the practical application of CCH AnswerConnect, learn about its AI capabilities and learn how to make the most of this powerful platform.
Traditional search vs. AI-enhanced search
First let’s understand the differences between traditional search ("how we're used to doing it") and AI-enhanced search ("the new way to search").
Traditional Search: Historically, accountants and lawyers have relied on keyword searches to find relevant documents. This method involves manually filtering through search results to pinpoint the most promising documents.
AI-Enhanced Search: By providing more context and details in your search query, the AI can generate tailored responses and point directly to relevant sources within tax research platforms like CCH AnswerConnect. This approach saves time and reduces manual effort.
Narrowing your focus for effective research
When conducting tax research, it's crucial to narrow your focus to your specific practice area. CCH AnswerConnect allows you to filter your searches by federal tax, provincial tax, indirect tax or specialty areas like international tax and real estate. For this blog, we'll focus on provincial tax.
Conversational AI for in-depth research
CCH AnswerConnect's AI capabilities allow for a conversational experience. You can start with a high-level question and follow up with more specific queries to refine your search. For example, asking "What is the primary caregiver credit in Manitoba?" provides a direct answer. Follow-up questions like "What supporting documents do I need to obtain a primary caregiver credit in Manitoba?" and “What is the definition of primary caregiver in Manitoba?” further refine the search and provide comprehensive information.
SmartChart functionality for multi-jurisdictional research
The CCH® SmartChart functionality is highly beneficial for research involving multiple provinces. This tool handles a large number of jurisdictions more effectively than a generative AI search, providing direct access to citations and explanations without extensive manual searching. It allows you to easily compare and get the full view you need.
Practical tips for using CCH AnswerConnect
CCH AnswerConnect is designed to work the way accountants work - whether that's starting from an Income Tax Act section or keyword search. Here's how to get the most out of its AI capabilities:
- Treat the AI like a knowledgeable colleague: Provide detailed context and ask follow-up questions to refine your search.
- Use the thumbs up or thumbs down feature: Provide feedback to improve the accuracy and relevance of the AI responses.
By understanding how to effectively use CCH AnswerConnect and its AI capabilities, you can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of your tax research. Whether you're dealing with federal tax issues, provincial tax issues, or other tax research, this platform offers powerful tools to streamline your workflow and provide comprehensive, reliable information.
