HUNTSVILLE — Without a lot of fanfare, the U.S. Postal Service has enacted changes that can affect tax returns and even mail-in balloting.
A new Postal Service rule, which went into effect Dec. 24, clarifies that postmarks reflect the date of the first automated processing — not necessarily the actual mailing date.
While this may seem minor for most mailings, it can have significant implications for filing taxes, mail-in ballots, legal documents and year-end charitable giving.
To ensure an on-time postmark:
- Request a hand-stamped postmark at the USPS counter to ensure the actual mailing date is recorded.
- Purchase postage at the counter, where printed labels include the correct acceptance date.
- Use certified or registered mail, which provides official evidence of the mailing date.
