Mailing Tax Returns Near April 15 Deadline Comes With Risk The U.S. Postal Service’s ongoing operational changes have introduced new risks for taxpayers planning to mail their 2025 tax returns before the April 15 deadline. A key factor in determining whether a return is considered on time by the IRS is the postmark date, which may no longer align with the day a taxpayer drops off their return. This shift has raised concerns among tax professionals and individuals who rely on the postal system for time-sensitive filings. The IRS considers any tax return postmarked on or before April 15 as filed on time, even if the agency receives it later. Historically, postmarks were applied the same day a return was mailed, but recent changes at the Postal Service have disrupted this process. According to a rule published in the Federal Register on December 24, delays between mailing and postmarking are expected to increase as the Postal Service modernizes its infrastructure and adjusts transportation schedules. The agency clarified that postmarks are still applied at processing facilities, but the timing of when mail is accepted and processed has become less predictable. Research from the Brookings Institution highlights the impact of these changes. Many post offices now send mail only once a day instead of twice, and about 52% of post offices are located more than 150 miles from their regional processing centers. This means some mail may not begin moving through the system until the next day, potentially delaying the postmark by up to a full day. In cases of weekends or holidays, delays could be even longer. Tax professionals warn that relying on the assumption that a return is postmarked the day it is mailed could lead to penalties.#irs #brookings_institution #us_postal_service #joshua_youngblood #tax_returns
