PITTSBURGH— With the deadline for filing income tax returns rapidly approaching, the Postal Service is notifying last minute filers to take notice of their local Post Office’s operating hours. Post Offices in the Western PA District (ZIP Codes 150-168 and 260) will operate at normal hours on Wednesday, April 15th. Customers depositing returns in collection boxes are advised to check the last pickup time posted on the collection receptacle.

Postal customers are advised to mail their returns or extension requests early in the day at any of the Post Offices, stations, branches or collection boxes in their community. However, tax filers using a collection box should make certain that the posted pick-up time has not passed to ensure returns will receive the April 15th postmark.

The Postal Service offers the following advice to tax filers:

• Try to mail as early in the day as possible.
• Take note of posted collection times and local Post Office hours.
• Always include your return address on your mailpiece.
• Be certain to weigh your returns or extension requests on a postal scale and affix the proper amount of postage. (This is especially true if you are filing extra forms or schedules this year. Tax agencies will not pay postage due, so short-paid tax filings must be returned for additional postage.)
• Apply sufficient postage. (Postage is 49-cents for the first ounce which is usually about four 8½ x 11” sheets; add 21 cents postage for each additional ounce.)
• Always use a complete mailing and return address.
• Tax returns must be postmarked no later than April 15th.
• If mailing from a street collection box, check the last pick-up time to make sure your return will be collected later that day.
• Consider using USPS Tracking™ if you want to confirm your tax return is delivered. Delivery Confirmation is not available for First-Class envelopes.
• If using a First-Class envelope, use Certified Mail or Registered Mail for proof of delivery.
• For mailing tips and information on USPS Tracking™, log onto www.usps.com.

For added customer convenience, Self-Service Kiosks (formerly called Automated Postal Centers®)  are available at the following locations and provide 24-hour access to many postal products and services:

Using a credit or debit card, these self-service kiosks enable customers to conduct business at their convenience. SSK’s enable customers to:

• Buy the same self-adhesive stamps provided through ATMs.
• Weigh, calculate and purchase postage in amounts for items weighing up to 70lbs.
• Send items via Priority Express Mail, Priority Mail and First Class Mail, as well as by Parcel Post services.
• Look up ZIP Codes and obtain Postal Service mailing information.
• Obtain Priority Express Mail, Certified Mail, and Return Receipts
• Purchase USPS Tracking™ service.
• Obtain a purchase receipt.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

# # #

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at about.usps.com/news/welcome.htm.

For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.

Follow us on twitter.com/USPS and like us at facebook.com/USPS. For more information about the Postal Service, go to usps.com and usps.com/postalfacts.