Post Office Offers Tips for Last Minute Tax Mailers

Mail Those Tax Forms Early and Beat the Rush!

WESTERN NY — With the deadline for filing tax returns rapidly approaching, the United States Postal Service is prepared to serve last-minute filers.

"Our sales and service associates are ready to help filers get their tax paperwork in the mail with the appropriate postage and special services required to give the mailer peace of mind," said Retail Manager George Niessing. "Some of the most common tax return mistakes we see every year are short-paid postage and no return address on the envelope. Tax agencies will not accept postage-due items, so items are returned to the sender for additional postage. If there is no return address, mail pieces are forwarded to the postal mail recovery office causing delays in the filing of the return."

The Postal Service also reminds customers to note the time of collection when depositing mail in a collection box or at a Post Office. Mail deposited after the last collection time will be postmarked with the next day's date.

TIPS for Tax Filers

• On April 15, mail early in the day at any post office, station, branch or collection box.
• If depositing returns in a collection box on Tuesday, April 15, double-check the pick-up schedule on the label. To ensure getting the April 15th postmark, please deposit returns before the last scheduled pick-up time
• Stamped packages weighing more than 13 ounces must be presented in person to a post office clerk to comply with FAA regulations.
• Make sure your return is signed and dated and all schedules and supporting documents are enclosed.
• Affix the appropriate postage, especially since the item may weigh more than an ounce. Have a postal Sales and Service Associate weigh and rate the item for you. Tax agencies will not pay postage due and your short-paid return will be returned to sender - and you may miss the deadline (tip: 5 pages equals approximately one ounce). Furthermore, it is very important that your envelope has a return address. Items without a return address will be sent to the postal mail recovery office for determination of the origin sender, delaying its return.
• The USPS highly recommends getting the security of proof of mailing and proof of delivery of your tax returns — use certified mail service ($2.65) with a return receipt ($2.15), plus the applicable postage.