I was one ring. The Micro Manager was a second ring and the poor little income tax information officer was the third ring.
How did this turn into a circus? Well we had a tax issue. The micro manager and I could not understand how the issue could be dealt with. We had gone over the information many times and could not agree. We both stick to our ideas very rigidly so a solution is hard to get to. So we phoned the income tax number.
To start with, our understanding of the issue was hazy at best. So the tax person wasn't really sure what we wanted. The said tax person referred us to parts of the guide that would help us. Well, that only muddled us up more. The Micro Manage thought one thing and I thought another. We tried again and ended up in more confusion. So the micro manager and I were talking to each other and debating things back and forth. I guess the tax person leaned back and said, "Let'em go at it."
For one minute we would think that we understood things and then suddenly it wouldn't fit.
I must say that the advisor we had was weak at best. Everything we asked she would put us on hold and look for info. When I phone these people I expect a clear explanation.
After about 40 minutes , I wrote the micro manager a note and said let's get off of here because this bird doesn't know anything. Twenty minutes later the Micro Manager thanked the tax person and said we'd work on it.
So after 90 minutes we got nothing.
So the three ring circus just went round and round.
I imagine it would have been quite entertaining if someone had been watching.
So now we still have to find out how to calculate the problem correctly.
I think there will be another showing of the three ring circus.
Oh my. I just read a troubling report on line today about the recent audit of CRA and how they give incorrect information to more than 30% of the callers. If you are confused perhaps you best contact a tax specialist. Fortunately for me, I've been able to get correct information whenever I've called in but the frustration is getting through to someone (this is also dealt with in the article. Best of luck in getting to a resolution.
ReplyDeleteHere is the article if you'd like to read it. You will need to cut and paste it in your web browser.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/cra-blocks-calls-often-gives-taxpayers-wrong-information-auditor-says/article37036667/
This happened to be in my paper this morning and my wife saw it on TV last night.
DeleteWell, kudos for at least managing to get an actual human on the phone, anyway.
ReplyDeleteMaybe next time you'll score who even knows what they're talking about. 😀
It was a human but a call center . Call centers are useless.
DeleteI do hope you don't have to have another three ring circus to solve your dilemma! But I enjoyed your post about it, so there's one good thing that came from it. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe didn't have another three ring circus. It came to us because of all the puzzling we did. we also phoned the company.
DeleteSIGH. This complaint about this dept. was just on the news. Apparently it is very common. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was in my paper this morning. It's a call center you get now and they're useless.
DeleteI get in trouble when I want to talk and not the one holding the phone.LOL
ReplyDeleteI here you. Somehow , two mouths don't work.
DeleteWhat a fiasco! It is very frustrating when you can't get the answers you need. I expect these people to be well informed, so they can properly guide the public.
ReplyDeleteThey are a call center rather than government employees.
DeleteMy taxes are relatively simple, but I still have it done for me.
ReplyDeleteSimple taxes or complex are easy for others to do. the in between guys end up doing their own.
DeleteIt seems tax laws are designed to confuse. I'm sure it's intentional. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWell, taxes can certainly confuse this guy.
Delete
ReplyDeletewell, at least you provided me with a good laugh!
If you knew it all, you would laugh harder and longer.
DeleteMy husband looks after our taxes; it's a good thing because if I knew more we'd be having those "discussions" too :)
ReplyDeleteTaxes all need to be simplified...who really knows all those laws anyway...the experts you called should have straightened your circus out. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why we need to give any information to the tax office, they already know everything about our financial dealings, all transactions relating to any given tax file number are reported. I think they just like to confuse us and then catch us in a mistake
ReplyDeleteHello, I leave all the tax issues to my hubby. He used to be an auditor and accountant. We have all probably dealt with bad customer service at one time. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Thanks also for your comment and visit to my blog. Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteMaddening isn't it?!? Well, forget about it for now and count your blessings, and give it another go after you've had a chance to center yourself.
ReplyDeleteOh boy, hope you can work things out. A three ring circus sounds confusing and not fun. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOh boy. Courage to both of you! Tax problems are never any fun.
ReplyDeleteI do not mean to laugh because I hate doing my taxes, but I am picturing the call center dude or dudette leaning back and saying- let them have at it! This is one reason I would like a simplified tax system. Three years ago, I went cold-turkey from H & R Block and now do my own taxes. It's scary, but if I mess up I am sure they will gladly let know, with interest. LOL!
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's best to pay a professional!
ReplyDelete