Emancipation Day will delay the tax filing deadline for Americans again this year. Tax Day 2017 is Tuesday, April 18.
Tennessee and northern Georgia postal facilities will be open regular business hours on Tuesday, April 18. The majority of taxpayers now use electronic filing to deliver their federal and state tax returns, eliminating the need for a midnight rush to the post office.
Post Office, Self-Service Kiosk and collection box locations, hours, and pick-up time information is available at 1-800-ASK-USPS or online at www.usps.com.
The Postal Service offers the following tips to tax filers:
- Mail early in the day on April 18 at any Post Office, station, branch, or collection box.
- If depositing returns in a collection box on Tuesday, April 18, double check the pickup schedule on the label. To ensure an April 18 postmark, deposit returns before the last scheduled pickup time.
- Stamped packages weighing more than 13 ounces must be presented in person to a Post Office clerk in compliance with FAA regulations.
- Affix the appropriate postage – the item may weigh more than an ounce. Tax agencies will not pay postage due. Your short-paid return may be returned to sender causing you to miss the deadline.
- It is very important that your envelope include a return address. Short-paid items without a return address will be sent to the postal mail recovery office, delaying its return.
- The Internal Revenue Service will accept returns sent via Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express for those customers who would like verification that their return was delivered. The IRS accepts the postmark on the envelope as proof of timely filing.
- Tax forms are no longer available at Post Offices. Check online at http://www.irs.gov/ (federal forms), http://www.tn.gov/revenue/forms/ (Tennessee forms) or http://dor.georgia.gov/documents/forms (Georgia forms).
Please remember that mail must be deposited before the last collection time at the post office or collection box on April 18 to receive an April 18th postmark.
The Tennessee District serves ZIP Codes 370-374, 376-385 in Tennessee and 307 in northern Georgia.
The Postal Service does not receive tax dollars for operating expenses; it relies entirely on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
FAQs
Mailing Tips
Can I mail my tax return via USPS? ›
As long as your envelope is post marked before or on April 17th you will be fine and it will not be counted late. And yes you can use a regular stamp and envelope to mail your return to the IRS.
What is the safest way to mail tax payments? ›
The USPS offers many different mail services, but Certified Mail is the best option for sending any tax-related documents.
Should I use priority mail for a tax return? ›
Guidelines when using Priority Mail are: All taxpayer correspondence weighing more than 13 ounces must be sent Priority Mail. USPS Priority Mail packaging should be used whenever feasible. If not using USPS Priority Mail packaging, the mailer must prominently mark "PRIORITY MAIL" on the address side of the mail piece.
What do I need to include when mailing my taxes? ›
Before you mail
- Sign your tax return. If you're filing a joint return both people must sign the return.
- Make sure your name, address, and social security number(s) are correct.
- Check your math.
- Attach a copy of your federal return (if not using form 540 2EZ)
- Attach a copy of your W-2.
- File your original return, not a copy.
If you must file a paper tax return, consider sending it by certified mail, with a return receipt. This will be your proof of the date you mailed your tax return and when the IRS received it. You may also use certain private delivery services designated by the IRS.
Is it safe to send tax returns via mail? ›
However, when you mail your return, your data won't be encrypted. And given some areas of the US have experienced an increase in mail theft with traditional blue drop USPS mailboxes, it's best to drop your return in person at the post office. Requesting a tax refund via paper check also comes with risk.
Should I send my tax return certified mail? ›
By using certified mail, you can see each step your letter has taken, including if someone refused to sign for it and if it's coming back to you. Seeing when your letter gets delivered gives you peace of mind that the IRS has your mail and can start to process your return.
Which is better, certified or priority mail? ›
Certified Mail
Then you get a mailing receipt that proves they got it, which is helpful and sometimes even required for important documents. Note that Certified Mail is sent with other types of mail, so it does not tend to arrive any faster than First Class or Priority packages and letters.
How much is it to send certified mail with the USPS? ›
2024 Certified Mail Rates (Effective July 14, 2024)
| 2024 Certified Mail Rates (Effective July 14, 2024) | July 14, 2024 Rates | Jan. 21, 2024 Rates |
|---|
| Certified Mail Fee | $4.85 | $4.40 |
| Return Receipt Green Card | $4.10 | $3.65 |
| Return Receipt Electronic (PDF replaces Green Card) | $2.62 | $2.32 |
| Restricted Delivery (for Certified Mail) | $7.90 | $7.30 |
21 more rowsStaple all your tax pages (forms and schedules) together in the upper left corner. If you are filing on paper by mail, staple the 1099-R to your Federal income tax return ONLY if there is an entry in Box 4 for Federal income tax withheld. Staple it to the front on your return.
What kind of envelope should I mail my taxes in? ›
No, any envelope that is acceptable to the United States Postal Service will be accepted by the IRS. However, please be advised that all correspondence with the Internal Revenue Service should be sent via Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested, including all Tax Returns.
What is correct postage for tax return? ›
Affix the correct postage. Some tax returns include many forms and require additional postage. For First-Class letter-sized envelopes, one ounce is 49 cents and 21 cents for each additional ounce. A two-ounce letter-sized envelope is 70 cents.
Can I fold my tax return to mail it? ›
Yes, you can fold your return to put it in an envelope. When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2's or any 1099's. Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS received the return.
What service should I use to mail my tax return? ›
Use the U.S. Postal Service® to mail your tax return, get proof that you mailed it, and track its arrival at the IRS.
Should I staple my W2 to my tax return? ›
Be sure to write your name and Social Security number on the top of each tax form, just in case they are separated. And, staple a copy of any W-2 Forms you received to the front of the return.
Should I send my federal tax return certified mail? ›
If you send your mailpiece via First Class Mail, Priority Mail, or Priority Mail Express, the IRS must RECEIVE your mailing by the due date to consider it on time. That's what makes Certified Mail different and a real advantage when mailing tax documents and payments.
What postage is needed to mail tax return? ›
Affix the correct postage. Some tax returns include many forms and require additional postage. For First-Class letter-sized envelopes, one ounce is 49 cents and 21 cents for each additional ounce. A two-ounce letter-sized envelope is 70 cents.
Can I mail my tax return with UPS? ›
Send Via UPS, FedEx, etc. to the IRS
Step 1: Identify the IRS processing center location based on your current resident state or IRS tax return mailing address, the address based on the form, and whether your owe taxes or expect a tax refund.
Can I use FedEx or USPS for tax return? ›
Use certified mail, return receipt requested, if you send your return by U.S. mail. It will provide proof that it was received. The IRS accepts deliveries from FedEx, UPS, and DHL Express. But you must use an approved class of service.
