October 2000

International Relations
Westchester Chapter

On May 1, the Canadian Customs and Revenue Agency introduced GST/HST Telefile, a new service that allows qualifying business clients to file Goods & Services/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) returns by telephone. The secure and confidential service is being offered to business clients by invitation only.

Just after April 15, I was approached by Darlene Keable, program officer, GST Returns Processing Section, Business Returns and Payments Processing Directorate, Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. Keable asked if I would be willing to phone the agency’s 1-800 numbers on May 1 to test the production and inquiry lines of the new GST/HST Telefile system from the United States. She explained that in some ways, the GST/HST Telefile system was modeled after our own Internal Revenue Service’s system. Immediately I had concerns, but in the spirit of international cooperation I agreed to make the test calls on the morning of May 1.

As I dialed that morning, I was unsure of what to expect. First the production line, where after two scant rings I heard a pleasant welcome greeting in both English and French. The line worked just fine.

Next, on to the inquiry line. This made me a bit more nervous since I would now be speaking to a real person! I was surprised to be given the option of an English- or French-speaking individual, until I remembered where I was calling.

My call was immediately answered by a very polite operator who was a little confused when I explained that I was an American just “testing the lines.” Probably thinking it was a crank call, he nevertheless was extremely courteous, and I was very impressed.

I was then able to call Keable and inform her that the lines were in good working order from the United States, and that the operator was quite professional. (I would also recommend a look at their Web site, www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/gsthst-telefile.)