Updated for the end of July, 2013
Several tries this past week have produced answers within 2-5 rings but it is the Summer.
Dial this number: 1-800-959-8281 – see if you get a busy signal.
Yep so did I regardless whether I have dialed at 9:00AM, 11:30, 2:00 or whenever.
This is the only available number for contacting the Tax Canada (aka Canada Revenue Agency). Yes there is the TIPS hotline but that only has automated help and no persons to answer very specific questions – which of course, the devil is in the Tax details. If you call Info Canada Services for an alternate Tax Canada number they say 1-800-959-8281 is the only game in town.
Now it would be infinitely better if Tax Canada at 1-800-959-8251 had a queueing service like at West Jet, my bank or other organizations in the services business. They don’t just give you a busy signal – but answer the phone and then tell you how long they estimate you will have to wait in the queue for an operator to answer you. This is much better than just getting the cold-shoulder busy signal from Tax Canada.
Now I asked for help just getting a contact number from my MP, Rick Norlock of Northumberland. Here was their response:
Good morning Jacques,
Thank you for your e-mail.
We would be pleased to make enquiries on your behalf once your Mom signs an authorization form for us.
If she is unable to sign, we will require a copy of the Power of Attorney that authorizes you to act on her behalf.
Please provide a fax number in which we can send the Authorization and Consent for Parliamentarians.
Barbara @ Cobourg Office
Rick Norlock, MP
Northumberland Quinte-West
Ahhh, the infinite pleasures of trying to work with our government.
I know what you mean! I thought this reassessment was a hoax because it was busy all the time. They do this purposely so that you don’t complain until the point where you give up and decide to simply pay the damn thing. I really need to appeal this and I don’t know where to call!
Yeah, I’ve had the same problem. Though, I have gotten through on this number before, to be fair. It’s surprising that TAX CANADA would have such shoddy service – or maybe not so surprising…
I’m with you jbsurveyer, I can’t believe it…busy signal all the way. I mean I feel disrespected already when I’m on hold for 10 minutes and they tell you that you’ll be holding for 10 minutes but a busy signal??? all the time? why would they even put it on the letters they send. Are they kidding with us?
I called 3x in about 5 minutes. The third time, it picked up. “Their goal is to answer my call in the next two minutes!”
We’ll see.
go to this site (government revenue site) and all you have to do is put in your phone number and they call you!!
https://ets.trn.ca/apps/ctt/web/cttfrm_e.php
hope that helps
top link won’t let you access it.
try this one instead
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs/rrsp-reer/hbp-rap/rpymnts/whn-eng.html
Also, it’s worth mentioning that our comrades south of the border share the same experience. Since I’m lucky enough to be a citizen of both countries I have to do this with both the CRA and IRS.. but instead of a busy signal you get an answering machine, as if you’re phoning someones house… or mansion.
and “lucky enough” ??