Taxing Times

Returns mailed to IRS on the rise

The Internal Revenue Service believes 59 million federal tax returns will be mailed this year. That’s 43 percent of all individual returns.

Though more returns are filed electronically than in hard copy, mailed returns are still expected to be up 3 percent over last year. Why? Because more Americans are expected to file tax returns this year.

Taxpayers must submit a return in order to take advantage of the national Stimulus Payment, or rebate program. So, low-income Americans not required to file returns will file this year in order to quality for their rebates.

“The most common mistakes Americans make in mailing their forms are not including enough postage and not providing the correct IRS mailing address,” said Postmaster Tim Lewis. “After the first ounce – which usually covers about four, letter-sized sheets – mailers need to add 17 cents for each additional ounce.”

Haven’t sent you taxes in? You’re not alone. Typically 20 percent of all Americans wait until the last week to file their returns.

# # #

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/news.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits every address in the nation — 146 million homes and businesses. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses, not tax dollars. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.