The IRS considers a timely mailed tax return to be timely filed. In laymen’s terms, this means that a United States federal individual income tax return isn’t late if a person postmarks it on or before April 15th (or the first weekday following April 15th if that day falls on a weekend). Luckily, many post office locations across the United States offer extended hours on April 15th. For instance, in 2008, the South Bend, Indiana post office accepted forms as late as midnight.
Is the Post Office Open Late? Postmark a Last-Minute Federal Tax Return on April 15th
The United States Postal Service often announces extended hours for specific postal locations in the days leading up to a holiday or other day like April 15th. There is no guarantee that any one post office location will be open late on April 15th. The announcement may or may not be posted online, and it’s possible that only select locations in any given area will offer the extended service. One way to check is to call your local branch several days before April 15th to double-check; alternatively, consider searching for post office locations with extended hours online.
Post Office Extended Hours – Expect Long Lines for Mailing Federal Tax Returns
Anyone who does venture out to mail a federal tax return or file an extension at the last minute should expect to encounter a long line of other last minute filers at the post office, especially if the post office is located in a metropolitan area.
Individuals Can Use DHL, FedEx, UPS to Meet Federal Tax Return Deadline
The IRS will certainly accept tax returns mailed through the United States Postal Service. However, in the instructions to Form 1040, the IRS indicates that a return will also meet the timely filed test if the taxpayer uses certain private delivery services to mail the return on or before April 15th. Specifically mentioned are DHL Express (DHL), Federal Express (FedEx), and United Parcel Service (UPS). More specifically, the IRS will recognize the following shipping methods from each vendor:
- DHL – DHL Same Day Service, DHL Next Day 10:30 a.m., DHL Next Day 12:00 p.m., DHL Next Day 3:00 p.m., and DHL 2nd Day Service.
- FedEx – FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx 2Day, FedEx International Priority, and FedEx International First.
- UPS – UPS Next Day Air, UPS Next Day Air Saver, UPS 2nd Day Air, UPS 2nd Day Air A.M., UPS Worldwide Express Plus, and UPS Worldwide Express
In the case of a late tax return (not extended, but mailed after the original due date), a taxpayer should make every effort to mail it in as soon as possible. An individual who wants to extend a tax return, but wants to avoid the hassle of mail, may wish to consider e-filing an IRS extension before the original tax return deadline.
Resources:
United States Postal Service website, usps.com
Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return instructions
Post Office Hours, IRS Tips for Last-Minute Tax Filers by Laureen Fagan, WSBT2 News in South Bend, Indiana
Related articles:
How to Extend Personal Income Taxes
Where to Mail Federal Income Tax Returns Like Form 1040
Lena Gott - Lena Gott is a Certified Public Accountant who gives practical financial advice to her readers.
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