LOUISVILLE, KY — With Tax Day less than a month away, the U.S. Postal Service is reminding taxpayers to mail their tax returns early to avoid the last-minute rush.

While the number of people filing online has increased over the years, a large percentage still prefers to mail their tax returns. As a result, April 15 has become one of the busiest days of the year at Post Offices across the country.

For customer convenience, three Louisville Post Offices with later operating hours are: St. Matthews Station, 4600 Shelbyville Road, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Main Post Office, 1420 Gardiner Lane, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Standiford Annex, 4440 Crittenden Drive, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

To help accommodate last-minute tax filers, the U.S. Postal Service offers these tips:

• Apply sufficient postage. (Postage is 44-cents for the first ounce which is usually about four 8½ x 11” sheets; add 17 cents postage for each additional ounce).
• Always use a complete mailing and return address.
• Tax returns must be postmarked no later than April 15.
• 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 Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation 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 Delivery Confirmation, log onto www.usps.com.

Customers can also take advantage of Automated Postal Centers (APC) at select locations. APCs provide easy access to postal products and services. Using credit and debit cards, the APC enables customers to purchase stamps, send items via Express Mail, Priority Mail, First-Class Mail and Parcel Post, and lookup ZIP Codes.

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

A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 150 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no direct support from taxpayers. With 36,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, the Postal Service relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $68 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 28th in the 2009 Fortune 500.