Downtown Post Office to Accept Tax Returns until Midnight April 15

Collectors will be in place along Canal Street

CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago District of the U.S. Postal Service will make it quick, easy and convenient for last-minute tax filers by accepting tax returns until midnight Tuesday, April 15 at the Main Post Office, 433 W. Harrison Street.

Collectors will be stationed along Canal Street at Harrison from late Tuesday afternoon to midnight to accept dropped-off tax returns from customers. The Main Post Office is regularly open 24 hours a day, for last-minute filers who wish to purchase postage or add special services such as Certified Mail, Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation to their returns.

All other Chicago District stations and branches will close at their regular times April 15, and will not offer extended hours or street collectors. Tax returns mailed at those locations must arrive by the closing time to make the midnight Internal Revenue Service deadline.

Tax returns mailed in a street collection box must be deposited by the last collection time posted on the box to make the IRS deadline.

"The most common mistakes Americans make in mailing their forms are not including enough postage and not providing the correct IRS mailing address," said Chicago District Manager/Postmaster Gloria Tyson. "After the first ounce — which usually covers about four, letter-sized sheets — mailers need to add 17 cents for each additional ounce."

The IRS expects 59 million federal tax returns will be mailed this year (43 percent of all individual returns), up 3 percent over last year. The projected increase is due to the national Stimulus Payment, or rebate program. Because taxpayers must submit a return in order to qualify for the rebates, low-income Americans not normally required to file returns will file this year.

The U.S. Postal Service reminds taxpayers that it does not use tax dollars to pay for operating expenses.