Tips for Taxpayers

• Keep a record of events and conversations and a copy of any letters you sent to and received from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
  
  
• When contacting the CRA general enquiries line, you are entitled to know the identity of the call centre agent you are dealing with. We suggest that you ask for the first name, employee identification number, and regional suffix of the agent serving you. Keep this information with the records of your conversation. This will reinforce the agent's accountability and help you trace the source of information should you have to follow up. If the agent refuses to provide this information, ask to speak to a supervisor. If difficulty persists, contact our office.
  
  
• Be clear about what you would like to have happen as a result of making the complaint. Are you looking for an apology or a service that should have been provided but was not?
  
  
• Complete all the applicable areas of the Taxpayers' Ombudsman – Complaint Form.
  • Sign and date Section 3 of the form, "Consent to disclose information" to authorize the exchange of information between the Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsman and the CRA for the purpose of reviewing your complaint.
  • If you are designating a representative to act on your behalf, provide the identifying information for your representative. Both you and your representative must sign and date Section 4 of the form, "Third party authorization".

If you have difficulty filling out the Taxpayers' Ombudsman – Complaint Form, you can call our office and one of our staff members will assist you.