Don't wait till midnight to put IRS payment in the mail

Millions of Americans wait until the last minute to file their tax returns. This year is no different. Filers have until 12 Midnight on Tuesday, April 17, to drop off their completed returns. The Postal Service will not be adding any additional window hours or collection times.

Postmaster Gregg Tolliver is urging customers to be aware of this change. “The latest window hours and collection time is 8 p.m. at the Little Rock Processing & Distribution Center located at 4700 E McCain, North Little Rock.”

“Customer can be assured all mail dropped in the blue collection boxes at the Processing & Distribution Center location until 8 p.m. will receive an April 17 postmark. Although the deadline is Tuesday, April 17, customers are urged to drop off returns as early as possible,” says Tolliver.

The Postal Service offers the following advice to tax filers:

· Use First-Class postage.

· Use pre-addressed labels where possible. Write clearly. Take special care to ensure that handwritten envelopes are legible, and include a return address.

· Affix sufficient postage. One ounce is 45 cents; every additional ounce up to 13 ounces costs an additional 20 cents per ounce.

· Double-check postage. Weigh any return that feels heavier than one ounce. Tax agencies do not accept postage due mail; tax returns bearing insufficient postage will be returned – meaning taxpayers may be penalized for filing late tax returns.

· Avoid the mad rush at the post office. Mail returns in local collection boxes, but remember to make certain that the posted pick-up time has not passed to ensure returns will have an April 17 postmark.

· For customers who send original receipts to tax agencies, registered mail is a good choice.

 Make certain bulky envelopes are securely sealed.