How To Spend Time Wisely While On Hold With The IRS

By now, you’ve heard about how an historically underfunded IRS expected a rough tax season and only has one person for every 16,000 calls they get.😱  “Our individual phone assisters, the IRS employees, are working hard but continue to receive millions of more calls than we can handle with our current staff and given the impacts of covid on the call centers,” IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said during a press call last month, according to the Washington Post.

Given that the IRS is pretty overwhelmed, you’ll likely find yourself on hold with the IRS this time of year. Some accounting firms are even paying for services to wait on hold for them! If you’re stuck on hold yourself, it’s probably best to use that time wisely. Here are 7 ways you can spend your time on hold—whether it’s 15 minutes, 30 minutes or (heaven forbid) one hour. 

1. Catch up on other work 

Rather than twiddling your thumbs while waiting on hold, consider catching up on other work. Do you have clients you need to email? Client requests to send? Documents to read over? Use the time stuck on hold to get through some easy tasks and clear your checklist. 

2. Organize your desk 

A cluttered desk can lead to a cluttered mind, so take 10 minutes and quickly clean and reorganize your workspace. Keeping a clean desk is good for your health, can decrease stress, and improve security at your office. Want to learn more? Check out this blog. 

3. Solve a Rubik’s cube

You can quickly learn how to solve a Rubik’s cube with this 37 minute tutorial video. Solving puzzles can improve memory, give you better problem solving skills and keep your brain active, research shows. 

4. Learn all about how Canopy can streamline your accounting firm 

You can use this time to explore how Canopy's practice management software can help your firm innovate by signing up for a demo with one of our specialists.

Sign up for a demo here

Already a Canopy user? Take this time to add a photo to your Canopy profile or submit product feedback to our team. 

5. Read a chapter in a book

Did you know that reading can help reduce mental decline by about 30%? Not to mention countless other benefits from reading! Reading a new book is an easy way to learn something new and apply it to your life. Take some time while you’re on hold to read a few pages or a whole chapter in a book. 

Looking for a new book to read? Check out these five must-read books for accountants. 

6. Learn a new language 

You won’t become fluent in an hour, but if you dedicate some time everyday to taking a language lesson you’ll be pleasantly surprised how quickly you can pick up another language. Try downloading Duolingo, a free app or desktop site that encourages you to take a language lesson every day. 

7. Curate the perfect playlist 

If you find yourself on hold, odds are you might be listening to that cheesy “hold” music. That music can drive any sane person mad. Take the opportunity to update your playlist and find the perfect songs to help you get through the rest of tax season.

Read more: The perfect music to get you through tax season. 

Now you're prepared to use your time wisely if and when you find yourself on hold with the IRS! What do you do while on hold? Let us know in the comments below. 

Canopy is a one-stop-shop for all of your accounting firm's needs. Sign up free to see how our full suite of services can help you today.