Tax Filing Deadline Information for Tuesday, April 15, 2008

SAN DIEGO — For the benefit of federal and state income tax return filers who plan on mailing their returns on the April 15 deadline, the Postal Service extended some retail and collections hours. Following are the Post Offices that will be open late in the San Diego Postal District (ZIP Code areas 919 through 925).

Extended hours
Open until midnight for retail service and collections:

• San Diego Main Post Office, 2535 Midway Dr., San Diego, CA
• San Bernardino Processing & Distribution Ctr., 1900 W. Redlands Blvd., Redlands, CA
• Riverside Main Post Office, 4150 Chicago Ave., Riverside, CA

Extended collections until 6:30 PM; normal retail service hours:

• Chula Vista Main Post Office, 750 3rd Ave, Chula Vista CA
• El Cajon Main Post Office, 401 W. Lexington Ave., El Cajon CA

The number of Post Offices open late has decreased due to the reduced volume of tax returns mailed on the deadline.

Tips for tax return mailers

• Get postage calculations quickly and easily this tax season at www.usps.com.
• Mail tax returns early in the day. Post Offices are very busy in late afternoon and evening.
• Even after closing, postage stamps may be purchased from stamp vending machines or Automated Postal Centers (APCs). Mailers will find APCs in many of the larger Post Offices. APCs weigh articles, print address labels with postage already affixed and vend postage stamps. APCs accept debit/credit cards for payment.
• Mailers depositing tax returns in a blue collection box or drop slot at the Post Office should check the last pick up time posted on the schedule. Except at Post Offices offering extended collection hours, tax returns deposited after the last pick up time will not be postmarked April 15 and the tax return will be considered late.
• Tax agencies will not pay postage due. Mailers are encouraged to make sure that adequate postage is applied.

Postage:  Letter sizes go up to 11-1/2” x 6-1/8” and must be less than ¼ inch thick: 41 cents for the first ounce and 17 cents each additional ounce up to 3.5 ounces. More than 3.5 ounces see Flat prices.

• Flat prices: Sizes go up to 15” x 12” and up to ¾ inch thick: 80 cents for the first ounce and 17 cents for each additional ounce up to 13 ounces.
• More than 13 oz. use Priority Mail.
• Check www.usps.com for a complete postage rate calculator.

Proof of Mailing/Delivery — Mailers who desire proof of mailing and delivery should request “Certified Mail with Return Receipt” when mailing tax returns.

Tax forms — Most Post Offices do not carry tax forms; only the most basic forms are available in Post Offices that do. Contact your local IRS or Franchise Tax Board office for forms you need or better yet, check the tax agency's website for downloadable forms at www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html or www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/

Special notice — Federal Aviation Administration security guidelines are still in effect. Mail with postage paid by postage stamps (not postage meter strips) that weigh over 13 oz. must be presented to a postal clerk at a Post Office rather than deposited in a collection box. Returns meeting this description that are deposited in collection boxes will be returned to the sender.