Taxes Due Today; Drop Off Returns At Main Post Office Until Midnight

For the benefit of last minute tax filers, the U.S. Postal Service will provide a late night mail collection point today, this year’s deadline for federal tax returns, and accept postage paid tax returns until midnight at the El Paso General Mail Facility (GMF), 8401 Boeing Dr. The GMF’s retail window will be open normal hours, until 6:30 p.m. The El Paso GMF will be the only late night collection point in the area.

All IRS returns collected at the General Mail Facility location before midnight will receive the April 18 postmark. This does not apply to mail dropped in any other collection boxes after pick up times posted on the box. Postal customers should check to ensure their return will have an April 18 postmark, as items deposited after the last collection time posted on the collection box will be postmarked the following day.

Customers desiring to purchase stamps and certify IRS mail after normal retail hours may do so at the Automated Postal Centers (APCs) available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, located at the El Paso GMF; Coronado Station, 7383 Remcon Cir.; or the Sandy Creek Station, 2100 George Dieter Dr. Transactions may be conducted in English or Spanish. In addition to having a built-in electronic scale, the APC allows customers to calculate and obtain postage in any amount for Express Mail, Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, and Parcel Post. PLEASE NOTE: Collection boxes located next to APCs will be collected at the posted collection time, and mail deposited after this time will be postmarked the following day.

At usps.com postal customers can get directions to an APC near them, or other places to buy postage. Your nearest access point for postage stamps may be one of the thousands of bank automated teller machines (ATMs) that stand ready to serve as your personal stamp machine or a nearby grocery store, drug store or gift shop. At usps.com, click on Locate a Post Office and under Options select Alternate Locations to Buy Stamps.

Customers with questions may also call the Postal Service’s free, 24 hour toll-free number, 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).

For last minute tax filers, here are some Postal Service mailing tips:

* 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 44-cents; each additional ounce up to 3.5 ounces costs 20 cents per additional ounce. Oversized envelopes and mail weighing over 3.5 ounces cannot be mailed at the First-Class letter rate and will require additional postage. Customers may call 1-800-ASK-USPS or go online to usps.com and obtain correct rate information * Double-check postage. Weigh any return that feels heavier than one ounce. The IRS will not accept postage due mail; tax returns bearing insufficient postage will be returned – meaning taxpayers may be penalized for filing late tax returns. * Remember to make certain that the posted pick-up time on the collection box where you deposit your mail has not passed to ensure your tax return will have an April 15 postmark. * For customers who send original receipts, registered mail is a good choice. * Make certain bulky envelopes are securely sealed.

Source: U.S. Postal Service