Preparing Now for Tax Day, April 15

With the 2014 tax filing deadline fast approaching, South Florida postal employees are reminding last-minute tax filers to mail early in the day at their local Post Office and observe scheduled pick up times on local collection boxes on Tuesday, April 15.  

Customers may visit usps.com to query Post Offices that regularly are open after 5 p.m.  There will be no midnight collection box pickups or parking lot collections at any South Florida postal facility on Tuesday, April 15.

The U.S Postal Service will provide customers with both timely tax return drop offs and special services including; Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, Certificate of Mailing, Certified Mail, and Return Receipt. The IRS accepts the First-Class postmark as proof of filing by April 15.

Postal employees provide these tips for income tax filers mailing their returns:

1.   If filing on April 15, mail early in the day at any Post Office. Be sure to verify Post Office hours of operation.

2.   If depositing returns in a collection box on April 15, double check the pick-up schedule on the collection box.  To ensure getting the April 15 postmark, deposit returns before the last scheduled pick-up time.

3.   Affix the correct postage. Some returns include many forms and require additional postage.  One ounce is 49 cents. The second ounce is an additional 21 cents. IRS will not pay postage due and will return items to sender.  If you use a flat-sized envelope (8 1/2 X 11), then it's 98 cents up to one ounce and $1.19 for two ounces.

4.   In addition to the Post Office retail counter, postage may be purchased at a Self-Service  Kiosk (SSK) in many lobbies.  For locations, visit usps.com.  Alternate access locations to buy stamps i.e. grocery stores, also are listed at usps.com.

5.   Remember that due to heightened security, mail that bears only postage stamps and weighs more than 13 ounces must be taken by the customer to a Post Office retail counter.

6.   Be sure to include a return address on your envelope.  Verify the IRS address where your return should be mailed.

The U.S. Postal Service offers flexible products and services when mailing tax returns:

Priority Mail Express Service

This gets your tax return to many locations the next day guaranteed or your money back. Priority Mail Express includes online tracking and signature at delivery.

Priority Mail Service

This gets your tax return delivered in an average of 2-3 days. Priority Mail with USPS Tracking provides a receipt of mailing for record-keeping purposes and allows the customer to confirm electronically via the web at usps.com, or through a toll-free number, 1-800-222-1811, that the mailing was delivered to the IRS.

First-Class Mail Service

Efficient, economical option for mailing your return with the all-important postmark.

Proof of Mailing Services

These services provide you with peace of mind. You can prove you mailed your tax return, verify that it was delivered or both with the following services:

·         Certificate of Mailing - This receipt shows evidence you mailed your tax return.

·         Certified Mail - This receipt proves you mailed your tax and provides online access to verify the date and time of delivery.

·         Return Receipt - This receipt verifies both mailing and delivery, returning a postcard to you signed by the person who received your package.

Online Service

·         Click-N-Ship - From any computer with internet access and a printer, you can print Priority Mail and Express Mail labels for all your tax returns, with or without postage.