Skip the Line – Get faster help from the CRA

Use digital services first

Many tasks can be resolved without speaking to a service representative.

Use our digital services when:

• You want to register for a CRA account
• You want to confirm a payment or balance owing
• You want to update your personal information
• You want to find your TFSA contribution room information
• You want to know the status of your tax return or other CRA processing times
• You need to change your tax return
• You have a general question about credits and benefits for individuals
• You need a proof of income statement or a notice of assessment
• You suspect a scam, fraud, or identity theft
• Your want to verify if it’s the CRA calling you
• You represent someone who died

Here are the digital services available to help you with these tasks:

Your CRA account

Your CRA account empowers you to self-serve. With a CRA account you can complete many tasks quickly and easily—no need to call. 

GenAI Chatbot beta

The CRA’s GenAI chatbot beta is available 24/7 to answer questions relating to benefits, charities, personal income tax, as well as information relating to accessing a CRA account. 

Prompts you can ask the CRA GenAI chatbot beta

"How do I register for a CRA account?"

The chatbot can walk users through the registration process, explain what documents are needed, how to get a CRA security code, and what to expect during setup.

"How do I change my address or direct deposit information?"

The chatbot can walk users through securely updating their information through My Account, ensuring uninterrupted benefit and tax-related payments.

"How do I check the status of my tax refund?"

The chatbot can guide the user to sign-in to their CRA account and find the refund status, including expected payment dates and any issues.

"Do I qualify for the GST/HST credit or the Canada Child Benefit?"

The chatbot can explain eligibility criteria, how to apply or ensure you're registered, and how to check payment schedules and amounts.

"When will I receive my next benefit or payment from the CRA?"

The chatbot can help users check expected payment dates for programs like the GST/HST credit, Canada Child Benefit, or tax refunds, and guide them to My Account for full details and history.

Online chat in My Account

The CRA offers an online chat service within My Account that lets you discuss account-specific issues with a live CRA service representative.

This chat service is available for both account-specific and general questions about: 

• Personal Income Tax
• Benefits
• My Account
• Ordering CRA forms and publications
• Payments to the CRA
• Savings and Pension Plans
• Instalments

How to use the chat service

1. Sign in to your CRA account and go to My Account
2. Select the chat widget at the bottom right corner of the page
3. Accept the privacy statement and select your topic to begin

More online help

We also have FAQs on our Contact the CRA page that help with common topics, including:

• Accessing a CRA account
• Understanding why your benefit payment may be missing
• Changing your contact or banking details
• Checking the status of your tax refund

Know before you call

If your situation can’t be resolved online, you may need to call us. For example:

• You're locked out of your CRA account

  Coming soon: Starting October 20, 2025, existing CRA account users will be able to self-serve and register for a new credential if they are locked out of their account because they have forgotten their sign in information. This will allow some users to regain access without calling the CRA.

• You’re dealing with a complex reassessment or an audit notice
• You need help with your CRA debt

Here’s how to prepare before calling:

• Check the wait times to contact the CRA
• Have everything you need on hand
• Find the right phone number

When average wait times reach 30 minutes, we redirect incoming calls to our automated phone services. This helps us serve as many people as possible, as fairly as possible.

The automated phone service line can help you:

• Check the status of your tax return
• Get an estimate on your refund amount
• Find out your CRA account balance
• Check your contribution amounts (TFSA and RRSP)
• Get a proof of income statement
• Request a remittance voucher
• Check benefit and credit eligibility, payment dates, and amounts (Canada Child Benefit and GST/HST credit)
• Request a form
• Set up a payment arrangement for personal income taxes
• Apply for the Disability Tax Credit
• File a GST/HST return
• Report suspected fraud, identity theft, or suspicious activity on your CRA account

Facts behind the service

We recognize there is an opportunity for us to enhance our service delivery to better meet your needs and expectations. We’re taking action to make improvements in the very short term.

Behind each of those calls is a person with an important question: a parent trying to understand a child benefit, a retiree looking for their refund, or a newcomer navigating our tax system for the first time. And on the other side of the line, there are CRA service representatives who do their best to answer your questions.

We continue to improve our self-serve options so you can get the help you need, faster and on your own time — without waiting on hold.

Myth-busting

Myth: “The CRA does not answer the phone.” 

Myth: “Letting more people join the phone queue would mean more calls get answered.” 

Myth: “Calling the CRA is the best way for me to make changes to my personal information.”