I'm trying to reach the Department of Revenue's personal income tax line by phone. Whenever I dial, I get a prerecorded message saying that all lines/operators are busy, and then I get rerouted to an automated message tree ("automated fact and information line").

There's no option on that tree to be placed on hold or ask for a callback; the only option it gives is to call back later. I've tried calling early in the morning and at hourly intervals through the day and always get the same result. How can a customer service line not have an option to hold for the next available rep?!

Comments

MPA_Dad t1_j3y5lvs wrote on January 11, 2023 at 9:38 PM

Call your local state representative or senator’s office - there are staff there whose job is to help you get any state government issues addressed. You can find yours here: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/index.cfm?mobile_choice=suppress

alphalimahotel t1_j3zhb14 wrote on January 12, 2023 at 2:59 AM

This is the way. Calling gets an answer faster than email.

JennItalia269 t1_j3y0w88 wrote on January 11, 2023 at 9:09 PM

I did the scheduled call off their website a few months ago and they called within 10 minutes of the scheduled time. Would suggest that.

cvxx78 OP t1_j3y2p3t wrote on January 11, 2023 at 9:20 PM

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try that.

edit: No open times are available using that tool for now

JennItalia269 t1_j422lnd wrote on January 12, 2023 at 5:19 PM

Ugh that sucks. I did it back in September. I checked like 3-4 days out and snagged an open time. Guess being January it’s worse.

Coalstead t1_j3y0neg wrote on January 11, 2023 at 9:08 PM

Pretty much every state gov office has been this way for the last two years. It's almost impossible to get ahold of anyone.

idealzebra t1_j40a98h wrote on January 12, 2023 at 7:29 AM

It was for something completely different but I had good luck with submitting the form for questions on their website. I tried getting someone on the phone but in the end that was the only way I could get ahold of anybody. They were able to answer my question and they got back to me within a couple of hours both times.

dogmomdrinkstea t1_j40q18d wrote on January 12, 2023 at 11:00 AM

I submitted a question to Josh Shapiro's website and lemme tell you, they get shit done there. Plus, no phone calls involved, which is great for someone disabled like me. However this was before the gubernatorial election, so anyone reading this in the future should contact their current AG.

One time was related to unemployment (which involves DoR....right? I'm very tired ATM), the other was a different involving a shit landlord doing illegal stuff negatively affecting my family. Anyways, both times I got replies much faster than any other government dept I tried to reach, and they solved the problems too. I always recommend people to message him.

XeroxApple t1_j3yitfq wrote on January 11, 2023 at 11:01 PM

Been like this since the pandemic hit

Vast-Support-1466 t1_j3z2v0w wrote on January 12, 2023 at 1:17 AM

Not true - I called 4 weeks ago when my '21 refund appeared in my USPS daily digest, but didn't show up for the next 3 days prior to calling. I got a hold and time updates for like 20 minutes before speaking to a person.

That person told me I'd have to wat 30 days and call back for the state to issue a stop-payment and new check. Called 5 times today - same as O.P.s tale.