Make Sure Your Tax Filings Are Mailed on Time

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New USPS postmark updates could affect timeliness of tax return filings.

If you’ve ever sprinted to the mailbox on April 15 to get your tax return in on time, you may need to plan ahead. (Not that waiting until the last minute is ever a great idea!)

Effective Dec. 24, 2025, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) clarified that many USPS postmarks reflect the date mail first undergoes automated processing at a USPS processing facility, not necessarily the date it’s dropped it in a mailbox or handed to a carrier. Under IRS timely-mailing rules, a paper filing generally must be properly addressed, have sufficient postage, and bear a timely postmark to be treated as filed on time.

Why does this specifically matter for tax filings? The U.S. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) §7502(a)(1) is clear: The IRS will rely on the postmark date applied to an envelope to determine timely filing if the document is not physically delivered to the IRS office by the due date.

What does this mean for tax filings? The postmark date applied at USPS processing facilities will not necessarily match the date on which the mail was collected by a letter carrier, dropped off at a retail location, or placed in a collection box — it could be later than the date it was first accepted by USPS. So, if you give your tax filing envelope to your carrier on a Tuesday afternoon, it may not make it to the regional processing center to be postmarked that Tuesday. USPS is making changes to its transportation operations, necessitating the update.

Is there any guarantee a letter is postmarked by a certain date? Yes, USPS offers an option to ensure the postmark date aligns with the mailing date, but you need to proactively go in person to any USPS retail counter and ask the piece to be manually postmarked (also called “hand-canceling). USPS offers this as a free service; if you have 50 items or more, contact your postmaster in advance. Other options include using registered or certified mail and obtaining a receipt showing the date of acceptance.

What about printed postage that has a date on it? If you apply a pre-printed label, such as from home or a self-serve kiosk, you are still not guaranteed that date matches the date USPS first processes the item.

What should taxpayers do to make sure the IRS receives tax filings on time? Here are ways you can protect yourself from a late filing:

Work with your CPA. As trusted tax preparers, CPAs will work with you to ensure your filing is received by the IRS on time.
Choose certified or registered mail. Yes, this requires paying extra, but the peace of mind could be worth it. You will also have to go to a USPS retail location in person. It’s a good idea to choose certified or registered mail for any correspondence with the U.S. government so that you have a printed record.
Choose a private delivery service. The IRS recognizes that certain delivery services from DHL, FedEx and UPS qualify for timely mailing.
Mail early. If choosing certified or registered mail is not an option, aim to put your tax filing in the mail at least five days before the deadline (or even earlier).

Does the USPS have any guidance? Sure does. Check out these links for more information: