CRA Tax Return Adjustments - What a Pain in the Ear

The pun in the title is intended.  Because waiting on hold to talk to the CRA is a real pain in the ear, amongst other places (insert your own body location here).

A common problem in the accounting world is dealing with the CRA.  The CRA make changes to tax filings or take their sweet time making changes that have been requested, or just plain screw things up beyond repair.  I firmly believe that the phrase SNAFU (Situation Normal, All F’d Up) was coined by someone who regularly dealt with the CRA.  My point is that dealing with and contacting the CRA can test one’s patience beyond normal limits.

Contrary to popular belief accountants do not get special treatment when dealing with the CRA.  We do not get special phone numbers, or direct contacts.  We have to phone the same phone numbers you do and sit on hold just like everyone else.

Now I get it, your finances are important to you.  The fact that the CRA stole your refund when they should not have is aggravating.  The fact that you get bills saying you owe, when the CRA just has not processed the adjustment that will cancel the amount owing.  The fact that you are waiting for your refund and it has been 6 weeks or more and you don’t have it.  Trust me I get it.  Problem is that I can’t do anything about it.  I cannot get the CRA to put a rush on your file, I don’t have access to special information or special people who will drop what they are doing to find out where your specific file is.

My point in this is that if things are taking a long time or not going smoothly, call the CRA yourself and ask them.  Calling me every day or every hour is not going to speed things up or make it all better.  If you want to nag someone try calling the CRA every day and asking them why things are not moving quicker.

The reason I want you to call the CRA yourself is twofold.  Number one, you have more time than I do.  If I am calling the CRA to get information you can get yourself, it means I am neglecting another client.  Number two, and most important, no one ever believes me when I tell them that the CRA does not have answer, or when I tell you that the CRA said it will be APPROXIMATELY another 6-8 weeks.

Since no one ever believes what I pass along it is best to call them yourself.  Give it a try.  Seriously.

General Personal Tax Enquiries  1-800-959-8281

GST (all) & Business Tax (Corporations)  1-800-959-5525