Mailing your bills on the due date will now get you screwed. The United States Postal Service has changed its rules so the postmark date reflects when a letter reaches an automated sorting machine, not the day you drop it in a mailbox, risking late fees for tax payments or legal documents. You must get a manual hand stamp at a post office counter or use Certified Mail for proof, as prices for Priority Mail and Ground Advantage services are also rising significantly in January.
This policy shift, effective December 24, 2025, means a payment mailed on April 15 but processed on April 17 will be considered late by entities like the IRS, with the financial risk fully transferred to the sender. To avoid penalties, mail items several days early or insist on a dated receipt at the post office, since collection boxes no longer provide reliable deadline protection.
This policy shift, effective December 24, 2025, means a payment mailed on April 15 but processed on April 17 will be considered late by entities like the IRS, with the financial risk fully transferred to the sender. To avoid penalties, mail items several days early or insist on a dated receipt at the post office, since collection boxes no longer provide reliable deadline protection.
