When the April 15 deadline to file federal tax returns falls on a weekend, as it does this year, yesterday, the Internal Revenue Service traditionally moves the deadline to the Monday after the weekend. That would be tomorrow in this
When the April 15 deadline to file federal tax returns falls on a weekend, as it does this year, yesterday, the Internal Revenue Service traditionally moves the deadline to the Monday after the weekend.
That would be tomorrow in this year’s case.
A total of 26 post office facilities across the state, including the Lihu‘e post office and the Lihue Carrier Annex off Kapule Highway near Lihu‘e Airport, will accept mail that are federal tax returns until midnight tomorrow, according to Mark Gowan, Lihu‘e postmaster.
All mail deposited by midnight in collection boxes labeled with a bright-orange sign indicating Tax Mail Drop – Final Pick-Up Midnight will receive April 17 postmarks.
Across the island, post offices will accept income tax returns during normal business hours only, he said in a press release.
The Postal Service also provides the following reminders regarding the mailing of tax returns:
• Not all boxes will be collected late. If you are mailing your return in a blue collection box or a drop slot at the post office, be sure to check the schedule for the last collection time. Except in specially-marked boxes at the two Lihu‘e locations, returns deposited after the last collection time will not receive April 17 postmarks;
• Beat the rush, mail early. Mail your tax returns early in the day. Post offices typically become very congested in the late afternoon and evening on the tax-day deadline;
Ensure proper postage. Be sure to check that adequate postage is applied to tax returns.
First-class postage for one ounce is 39 cents. Weigh any return that feels heavier than one ounce. Add 24 cents for each additional ounce up to 13 ounces. Heavier pieces go Priority Mail. Check the Postal Service Web site at www.usps.gov for a postage-rate calculator.
Tax agencies do not accept postage-due mail. Tax returns bearing insufficient postage will be returned, meaning taxpayers may be penalized for filing late tax returns;
• Ensure proper addressing. Use pre-addressed labels where possible. Write clearly. Take special care to ensure that handwritten envelopes are legible. Include a return address. Make sure that bulky envelopes are securely sealed;
• Heavy packages require personal drop off. Mail with postage paid by postage stamps (as opposed to postage-meter strips) that weighs more than 16 ounces must be presented in person to a clerk at a post office. Returns meeting this description that are deposited in collection boxes will be returned to their senders;
• Tax forms are not available at post offices. Most post offices do not carry tax forms. Only the most basic forms are available in post offices that do carry forms. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service Web site, www.irs.gov, has downloadable forms.
