With the deadline for filing income tax returns rapidly approaching, the U.S. Postal Service is bracing for the annual onslaught of last-minute filers. Tax Day, or the last day to file 2008 federal tax forms without requesting an extension, is Wednesday, April 15.

Postal customers are encouraged to mail returns or extension requests early in the day at any Post Office or collection box. Tax filers should double-check the pickup schedule if they choose to use a street side collection box to ensure that their documents will be collected and postmarked before the deadline. Filers should also ensure that they have properly weighed and posted their returns. Mail received without the proper amount of postage paid will be returned to the sender.

To aid last-minute filers, window service is available 24 hours every day at:
Air Mail Center
5001 Northwest Dr.
St. Paul (at the Twin Cities International Airport)

Other locations with evening hours April 15 are:
Minneapolis Main Post Office, 100 S. 1st St., until 8 p.m.
St. Paul Main Post Office, 180 E. Kellogg Blvd., until 8 p.m.

All three locations will collect and postmark returns until midnight. However, the Air Mail Center is the only facility where window service will be available after 8 p.m. A little preparation and pre-planning can help tax-filers alleviate last-day stress.

TAX RETURN MAILING TIPS

Use Certified Mail: with Return Receipt so you receive notice of the legal time and date that returns were delivered, along with the signature of the person who signed for them.

Weigh envelope; affix sufficient postage: State Income Tax regulations may require a copy of the Federal tax return. The additional sheets may raise the weight of the envelope to the point where extra postage becomes necessary. Remember, short-paid mail pieces will be returned.

Use pre-printed envelopes: Or make certain to use the correct ZIP Codes for the IRS and state tax return processing centers.

Include your return address

Check collection times: Prior to dropping tax forms in a collection box, check the collection time and make sure that returns will be picked up in time to get the April 15 postmark.

Use registered mail: if sending original receipts to tax agencies.

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An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 149 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes, six days a week. It has 34,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.