Tax Paying Procrastinators Beware:
No Extended Post Office Hours on April 15

Providence, RI - The U.S. Postal Service will not offer extended hours at post offices in the Southeast New England District this tax day, April 15, 2009.  The number of customers coming to the post office in later hours has declined dramatically in recent years since many people file their taxes online.  The recent economy and drop in mail volume has the Postal Service seeking ways to reduce cost and save money.

The Providence Post Office will still be open until 9 p.m. its usual closing time during the week.  Customers can find out their local post office hours by going online at www.usps.com or by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS to determine the closing time of the Post Office near them.

Some Post Offices also have an Automated Postal Center (APC) in their lobbies that are accessible 24 hours per day.  You can do almost any postal transaction at an APC except purchase money orders. The user friendly kiosk is operated by a touch screen similar to an ATM at the bank.

Lobbies with APCs that have 24 hour access include the main Post Offices in Providence, RI; Wakefield, RI; Cranston, RI; East Greenwich, RI; Johnston, RI; Randolph, MA; and Mansfield, MA.

Here are a few helpful tax mailing tips:
Taxpayers can avoid the annual last-minute rush to the post office simply by mailing the tax return in a local mailbox. However, customers need to look at the final pick-up times posted on the mailbox to ensure mail has not already been collected.

Customers who hand-address tax return envelopes should be sure to write or print neatly, double check the mailing address, and include a return address.

Want to make sure your return gets to the IRS fast? Use Express Mail. Express Mail also insures your documents and provides a receipt for mailing and delivery.

If a tax return feels heavier than one ounce, it’s a good idea to weigh it because the IRS will not pay additional postage and will penalize for late payment.  Also, FAA rules require that stamped tax returns weighing one pound or more must be mailed at a post office.

Consider mailing your tax return by Certified Mail if you want a receipt to prove it was sent on time or Registered if you have original receipts enclosed.

Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation service can be used to mail your tax return to the IRS. The postmark on the package will be accepted by the IRS to validate timely filing and the receipt provides tracking information for your mail piece.

-from the U.S. Post Office