General Discussion

boonecreek

(1,462 posts) Wed Feb 11, 2026, 06:51 PM Feb 11

Well this is concerning.

USPS shifts postmark policy that could impact your taxes.

The United States Postal Service quietly changed how it applies postmarks,
and that operational tweak could ripple straight into your tax bill. By shifting the postmark from the local counter to regional processing centers, the Postal Service has effectively shortened the practical window for taxpayers who rely on the mail to prove they paid on time.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/usps-shifts-postmark-policy-that-could-impact-your-taxes/ar-AA1RXt8u

This will also impact mail in voting.

7 replies

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Well this is concerning. (Original Post) boonecreek Feb 11 OP

But I believe you can walk an envelope into the building and request that they post mark it that day. SheltieLover Feb 11 #1

Same day Post mark Timewas Feb 11 #2

Ty! SheltieLover Feb 11 #3

I couldn't say. boonecreek Feb 11 #5

Pls see #2 above. To guarantee same day postmark, you must walk it inside to the counter & request it. SheltieLover Feb 11 #6

Maybe more should consider SocialDemocrat61 Feb 11 #4

There was nothing 'quietly' about this. It was reported extensively stopdiggin Feb 11 #7

SheltieLover

(78,830 posts)

1. But I believe you can walk an envelope into the building and request that they post mark it that day.

Reply to boonecreek (Original post)

Wed Feb 11, 2026, 06:57 PM

Feb 11

Could be wrong on this, but I believe I read that.

Timewas

(2,695 posts)

2. Same day Post mark

Reply to SheltieLover (Reply #1)

Wed Feb 11, 2026, 07:05 PM

Feb 11

As of early 2026, the
USPS no longer guarantees same-day postmarks for mail dropped in blue collection boxes, as they are now processed based on the date they reach a sorting facility. To ensure a same-day postmark for tax or legal deadlines, you must bring items to a post office counter and request a manual postmark.

SheltieLover

(78,830 posts)

3. Ty!

Reply to Timewas (Reply #2)

Wed Feb 11, 2026, 07:06 PM

Feb 11

Fucking dejoy.

boonecreek

(1,462 posts)

5. I couldn't say.

Reply to SheltieLover (Reply #1)

Wed Feb 11, 2026, 07:11 PM

Feb 11

On my (Illinois) primary ballot it said to mail it at least a week before because they
don't postmark at the post office anymore. I won't be mailing mine anyway, I'll be
dropping it of at an early voting location that has a dropbox inside.

SheltieLover

(78,830 posts)

6. Pls see #2 above. To guarantee same day postmark, you must walk it inside to the counter & request it.

Reply to boonecreek (Reply #5)

Wed Feb 11, 2026, 07:14 PM

Feb 11

Fucking dejoy.

SocialDemocrat61

(7,276 posts)

4. Maybe more should consider

Reply to boonecreek (Original post)

Wed Feb 11, 2026, 07:07 PM

Feb 11

filing online.

stopdiggin

(15,248 posts)

7. There was nothing 'quietly' about this. It was reported extensively

Reply to boonecreek (Original post)

Wed Feb 11, 2026, 07:27 PM

Feb 11

by both the USPS themselves, along with a whole raft of media.

And - if you're one of those people that is waiting until that last 12 hour window in order to 'mail' your tax return ...
Thinking you're probably familiar with the term 'penalty' already.

( and, yes - feel much the same about people that 'sit' on their mail-in ballot - until the last conceivable moment. )

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