So, you're looking for the revenue canada cra phone number because you’ve got a tax headache that just won't quit. I get it. Dealing with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is basically a Canadian rite of passage, like complaining about the snow or over-apologizing for things that aren't your fault.
But here’s the thing: most people just Google a number, click the first one they see, and end up in a three-hour hold queue or, worse, talking to a scammer. In 2026, the CRA has updated its phone systems, but they’ve also shut down some old services. If you try to call for something that's moved online, you’re just going to get a dial tone or a very polite recording telling you to go away.
The Actual Numbers You Need (No Fluff)
Honestly, there isn't just "one" phone number. If you call the business line for a personal tax question, they’ll just transfer you, and you’ll lose another forty minutes of your life.
For personal income tax enquiries, the main line is 1-800-959-8281. This is the big one. If you’re calling from the territories (867 area code), you’re looking at 1-866-426-1527.
If you are a business owner or a freelancer dealing with GST/HST, the number changes to 1-800-959-5525. Interestingly, as of late 2025, the CRA stopped taking business registrations over the phone. You have to do that through the "Business Registration Online" portal now. Don't waste your time calling to register a new BN; they literally won't let the agents do it anymore.
Then there are the benefits. If you’re waiting on that Canada Child Benefit (CCB) or wondering where your GST credit went, dial 1-800-387-1193.
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Why You Can’t Get Through (and How to Fix It)
We’ve all been there. You call, the music starts—that weird, synth-heavy elevator music—and then the robot voice tells you the wait time is "more than 60 minutes."
In late 2025, the Auditor General, Karen Hogan, released a pretty scathing report. It turns out that while the CRA claims they want to answer 65% of calls within 15 minutes, the reality has been closer to 18-30%. Some weeks, it was as low as 5%. Basically, the system is jammed.
Pro tip: Call mid-week. Tuesday to Thursday are your best bets. Everyone calls Monday morning because they spent the weekend worrying about their taxes. Everyone calls Friday because they want it settled before the weekend. If you call at 8:00 AM local time on a Wednesday, you might actually talk to a human before your coffee gets cold.
The New 2026 Callback Feature
One of the better moves the agency made recently was expanding the automated callback service. If the wait time hits a certain threshold, the system will offer to call you back. Do not ignore this. When you opt-in, they give you a four-digit confirmation number. Write it down. When they call you back, the agent must repeat that number to you. If they don't, or if they ask you for it first, hang up. It’s a scam. This is the CRA's way of proving they are actually who they say they are.
The "Scam" Factor is Real
Let’s talk about the nightmare scenario. You get a call from a "revenue canada cra phone number" and the person sounds mean. They say you owe $5,000 and the police are on their way.
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First off: the CRA does not send the RCMP to your house for a tax mistake. They just don't.
Second, they will never ask you to pay via:
- Bitcoin or any cryptocurrency.
- Apple Gift Cards (seriously, why would the government want iTunes credit?).
- Prepaid credit cards.
A real CRA agent will already know your basic info but will ask you to verify it. They won’t use aggressive language. If you’re suspicious, tell them you’ll call them back. Hang up, find the official 1-800-959-8281 number yourself, and call the general line to see if there’s a note on your file.
Getting Your Paperwork Ready
Before you even dial, have your Social Insurance Number (SIN) sitting right in front of you. They will also ask for a specific line from your last assessed tax return. Usually, it's something like "Line 15000" (Total Income).
If you don't have your 2024 or 2025 return handy, they legally cannot discuss your account with you. It’s for security, but it’s incredibly frustrating if you’ve waited an hour on hold only to realize your papers are in the basement.
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What if You're Calling from Outside Canada?
If you’re a snowbird in Florida or an expat in the UK, those 1-800 numbers won't work. You have to call the international line at 1-613-940-8495.
They do accept collect calls, which is a nice touch. You just have to go through a telephone operator. Once the automated system picks up, there’s usually a bit of a delay or a beep—don't hang up, that’s just the international routing doing its thing.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Call
If you're ready to pick up the phone, follow this checklist to make it as painless as possible:
- Check the time: Call at 8:15 AM ET if you're in the East, or right when the local office opens at 8:00 AM in your time zone.
- Grab your 2024/2025 Notice of Assessment: You need those line numbers to prove you're you.
- Use a landline or a fully charged cell: Nothing is worse than your phone dying when you're "next in line."
- Log into "My Account" first: Often, the answer to "where is my refund?" is literally on the home screen of the CRA website. If you can avoid the call, do it.
The CRA is moving toward a "modernized" platform by summer 2026, which is supposed to make these wait times a thing of the past. We'll see. Until then, stay patient, keep your SIN private, and remember that the person on the other end of the line is just a person doing a job.
Your next step should be to log into your CRA My Account to see if your question can be answered via their self-service portal before you commit to the wait time.