CRA call centre hours
CRA call centre hours, confirmed against wait times we have recorded every 5 minutes since March 2025 across all 9 phone lines.
Last confirmed against our readings on 2 September 2026.
CRA call centre hours
| Day | Hours (Eastern Time) |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed (open during tax season) |
| Sunday | Closed |
Tax season hours
From February to April the CRA extends its hours: lines open earlier, from around 6:30 a.m. ET, run later into the evening, and Saturday coverage is added. Waits also lengthen substantially across every line during this period, so calling early matters more than usual.
Being open is not the same as being reachable
The lines are staffed for twelve hours a day, but the wait is not evenly distributed across them. Late Monday afternoon can run several times longer than the same line first thing on a Tuesday. See the best time to call the CRA for the measured breakdown, or current wait times for right now.
Frequently asked questions
What are the CRA call centre hours?
Our readings show CRA phone lines answering Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Is the CRA open on weekends?
Outside tax season, no. We record no answered calls on Saturdays or Sundays. During tax season (February to April) the CRA adds Saturday coverage.
What time does the CRA open?
8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on weekdays. During tax season lines open earlier, from around 6:30 a.m. ET.
What time does the CRA close?
8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The final hour is often quieter than late afternoon, though not as quiet as first thing in the morning.
Can I reach the CRA outside these hours?
Automated self-service lines and the CRA's secure online services are available outside staffed hours and handle many routine tasks without a call.
Hours above describe what our own recorded readings show. Confirm against canada.ca before relying on them. Last regenerated 2026-09-03T03:49:03+00:00.