PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Postal Service offers tips for last-minute tax filers

Post Offices Operating at Regular Hours on April 15

ERIE, PA — With the deadline for filing income tax returns rapidly approaching, the Postal Service is notifying last minute filers to take notice of their local Post Office’s operating hours. Post Offices in this area will operate at normal hours on Wednesday, April 15. Customers depositing returns in collection boxes are advised to check the last pickup time posted on the collection receptacle.

Postal customers can easily avoid a trip to the main Post Office by mailing their returns or extension requests early in the day at any of the Post Offices, stations, branches or collection boxes in their community. However, tax filers using a collection box should make certain that the posted pick-up time has not passed to ensure returns will receive the April 15 postmark.

Automated Postal Centers (APCs) are available at 10 area Post Offices. Using a debit or credit card, customers can use the APC to weigh and mail their tax returns or regular mail and packages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at most locations. (See attached list of offices with APCs)

The Postal Service offers the following advice to tax filers:

Try to mail as early in the day as possible.
Always include your return address on your mailpiece.
Be certain to weigh your returns or extension requests on a postal scale and affix the proper amount of postage. (This is especially true if you are filing extra forms or schedules this year. Tax agencies will not pay postage due, so short-paid tax filings must be returned for additional postage.)
Apply sufficient postage. (Postage is 42-cents for the first ounce which is usually about four 8½ x 11” sheets; add 17 cents postage for each additional ounce.)
Always use a complete mailing and return address.
Tax returns must be postmarked no later than April 15.
If mailing from a street collection box, check the last pick-up time to make sure your return will be collected later that day.
Consider using Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation if you want to confirm your tax return is delivered. Delivery Confirmation is not available for First-Class envelopes.
If using a First-Class envelope, use Certified Mail or Registered Mail for proof of delivery.
For mailing tips and information on Delivery Confirmation, log onto www.usps.com.

The following Post Offices feature the Automated Postal Center (APC) in their lobbies. (*All Erie area APC sites are located in 24 hour lobbies)

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP	240 Executive Dr	Cranberry Township	PA	16066
JOHNSTOWN GMF	111 Franklin St	Johnstown	PA	15901
INDIANA PO	47 S 7th St	Indiana	PA	15701
ERIE GMF	2108 East 38th St	Erie	PA	16515
MEADVILLE PO	212 Arch St	Meadville	PA	16335
HERMITAGE BRANCH	3386 E State St	Hermitage	PA	16148
PRESQUE ISLE BRANCH	2711 Legion Rd	Erie	PA	16506
STATE COLLEGE PO	237 S Fraser St	State College	PA	16801
SOUTH ERIE STATION	3607 Poplar St	Erie	PA	16508
BUTLER PO	345 S Main St	Butler	PA	16001

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An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 149 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes, six days a week. It has 34,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.