CRA Response Times

I have noticed that it can take 2 hours or more to get through on the CRA’s telephone line (1-800-959-8281). This has been true in the height of tax season (Feb-Apr) as well as other times. The alternative is to agree to have us represent you by signing an authorization form (AUTHREP) that will enable us to access your CRA account so that we can answer some of your questions.

If you need to get an explanation on why it is taking so long for the CRA to respond to a submission, we have found the following on their website:

T1-ADJ to amend a tax return:

Routine:

  • The CRA’s goal is to issue your notice of reassessment or a letter of explanation within two weeks of receiving your digital request to change your individual income tax return.
  • Our target: The CRA aims to meet this standard 95% of the time.

Complex:

  • The CRA’s goal is to issue your notice of reassessment or a letter of explanation within 20 weeks of receiving your request to change your individual income tax return.
  • Our target: The CRA aims to meet this standard 80% of the time.

Disability Tax Credit Certificate

  • The CRA’s goal is to issue your notice of determination of eligibility within eight weeks of receiving your Disability Tax Credit Certificate.
  • Our target: The CRA aims to meet this standard 95% of the time.

GST Returns

  • The CRA’s goal is to issue your notice of assessment, if applicable, within four weeks of receiving your digital GST/HST return.
  • Our target: The CRA aims to meet this standard 95% of the time.

Applications for Relief on Late Filing Penalties and Accrued Interest

  • The CRA’s goal is to issue a decision letter on a request for relief to cancel or waive penalties and interest within 180 calendar days of receiving the request.
  • Our target: The CRA aims to meet this standard 85% of the time

It has been our experience that the CRA is not meeting their goals, and that it can take much longer to get a response. Our submissions to respond to requests for documents have taken many months. We have noticed that some of our submissions sit unanswered.

Responses to RRSP over-contributions and TFSA over-contributions have taken a year or more.

If you are concerned about these service standards, we suggest that you file a complaint through the CRA’s Service Feedback webpage at https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/make-a-service-complaint.html#toc1.

Please call us at 604 558 2234 if you have questions or concerns.