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 Monday, 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 55-cents for the first ounce which is usually about four 8½ x 11” sheets; a 2 ounce letter is 70-cents.)
• Always use a complete mailing and return address.
• Tax returns must be postmarked no later than April 18th.
• 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:

• Blawnox Branch – 1310 Old Freeport Road
• Brentwood Branch – 350 Towne Square Way
• Butler Post Office – 345 S. Main Street Castle
• Shannon Branch – 370 Castle Shannon Blvd.
• Coraopolis Post Office – 1140 Thorn Run Road
• Cranberry Township – 240 Executive Drive
• Erie Main Post Office – 2108 E. 38th Street
• GMF (Main) Finance Station – 1001 California Ave
• Greensburg Post Office – 238 S Pennsylvania Ave
• Hermitage Branch – 3386 E. State Street
• Indiana Post Office – 47 S. 7th Street
• Johnstown Post Office – 111 Franklin Street
• McKnight Branch – 4981 McKnight Road
• McMurray Retail Branch – 392 Washington Road
• Meadville Post Office – 212 Arch Street
• Monroeville Branch – 2630 Monroeville Blvd.
• Murrysville Post Office – 1 Priority Lane
• Penn Hills Branch – 11650 Penn Hills Drive
• Pleasant Hills Branch – 500 Regis Drive
• Presque Isle Branch – 2711 Legion Road
• South Erie Station – 3607 Poplar Street
• Squirrel Hill Station – 1800 Murray Ave
• State College Post Office – 237 S. Fraser Street
• Upper St. Clair Branch – 2211 Lesnett Road
• Wexford Post Office – 10675 Perry Highway

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

• Purchase self-adhesive “Print-On-Demand” stamps.
• 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.
• Pay Post Office Box rents.

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

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