From my tax guy:

“The United States Postal Service (USPS) has formally adopted a change to how it processes and postmarks mail. Mail is now postmarked once it reaches the regional processing center, which may not be on the same day your local post office receives the mail. Because taxing agencies rely on the postmark date to determine timely submission of tax returns and estimated tax payments, it is important to consider this change when submitting your tax returns and payments.”

I always have my tax guy e-file my tax returns.

This is only an issue if you are simply dropping your tax forms in the mail. Seriously, who does that? Whenever I need to actually mail tax forms (which is extremely rare!) I head over to the counter at my local Post Office (standing in line if necessary) to get a Hand Cancellation by the clerk. To do otherwise would be ill-advised, and I'm not sure why anyone would do it any other way. This 'new postmark delay' doesn't really change anything IMO.

Looks like a cluster fuck for Mail In Ballots.

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:
This is only an issue if you are simply dropping your tax forms in the mail. Seriously, who does that?
<snip>
This 'new postmark delay' doesn't really change anything IMO.

Look. It’s a heads-up.

You don’t do that? Fine. I don’t either.

But millions of Americans have relied on that at-the-postoffice postmark for decades.

^^ You snipped out the relevant part of my post. My point was the NOBODY should EVER do that anyway! Even decades ago, well before e-filing (and the internet!) was a thing, I was getting a hand cancellation on mailed tax forms. Why would one do it any other way?

The ship of having the USPS responsible for delivering anything of importance sailed years ago.
Use them only if you want to insure problems and drama.

I've only e-filed for the past decade and pay my quarterlies with EFTPS. The only thing I have to physically mail is any possible gift tax returns as they have to be filed that way. For years I always heard my father's voice saying "never give anyone your social security number or any other information" and extrapolated not to use the internet. Which is a little ridiculous since it's sent to the Feds, and the Feds have everything on me anyway. Saves alot of hassle to do this.

quote:

But millions of Americans have relied on that at-the-post office postmark for decades.

Fun fact:
When I was younger and a big procrastinator (somewhat better now) I often didn't finish my taxes in time to make it to the local post office by 5 PM on April 15th.
Not to worry! The main post office, downtown, stayed open till midnight and I would join the long line of cars dropping off my tax return just before midnight for that April 15th postmark.

Now I e-file.

Except for the State return, which I still mail because Turblow Tax wants an extra $25 to e-file a State return at the same time. For $25, I'll mail it!

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

quote:

But millions of Americans have relied on that at-the-post office postmark for decades.

Fun fact:
When I was younger and a big procrastinator (somewhat better now) I often didn't finish my taxes in time to make it to the local post office by 5 PM on April 15th.
Not to worry! The main post office, downtown, stayed open till midnight and I would join the long line of cars dropping off my tax return just before midnight for that April 15th postmark.
<snip>

Exactly the same with me. At the main (downtown) post office in St. Paul, MN.

I e-file my Federal return (TurboTax), however, like chellim, I mail in my state return as it's half the cost than paying TurboTax's fee (which goes to some third-party service as I understand it). It's a refund and I am not in a big hurry to get it.

I don't wait until the last day to mail it in anyway, but I do send it certified and have the dated receipt.

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:
This is only an issue if you are simply dropping your tax forms in the mail. Seriously, who does that?

Old people do.

They mail their tax returns, along with a paper check, and then run the not insignificant risk of having the returns getting at best lost in the mail or at worst stolen, with their paper checks washed and fraudulently cashed and/or their identities stolen.

Same with utility bills. Criminals long ago learned to troll the old folks' mailboxes around utility bill time and scoop up all the envelopes with utility addresses and checks in them. They then wash them in acetone to remove the pen ink while protecting the signature, rewrite the amount and payee to whatever they want, and then cash/deposit them (or use an unsuspecting/semi-suspecting middleman accomplice to cash or deposit them and then send them the funds).

Sticking them in a "secure" neighborhood/apartment communal mailbox slot or blue USPS drop box isn't secure. The master keys are routinely lost, copied, or stolen.

And dropping them off directly at the post office isn't a guarantee either. Even without being in a major metropolitan area, I've been involved in multiple cases where USPS employees themselves were in on these thefts. The Postal Inspectors are few and overworked, and these types of operations can be complex, so it can take a long while for these type of cases to get resolved, with new victims constantly getting hit in the meantime.

The days of being able to safely mail important documents and especially checks are long past. But change is scary and hard, and licking envelopes and hand writing checks are familiar and comforting, so some people cling to them despite the risks.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:
This is only an issue if you are simply dropping your tax forms in the mail. Seriously, who does that?

Old people do.

They mail their tax returns, along with a paper check,

Define old .

People who still prefer writing checks.


The cases I've worked, it's generally 60+.

Same with utility bills. Criminals long ago learned to troll the old folks' mailboxes around utility bill time and scoop up all the envelopes with utility addresses and checks in them. They then wash them in acetone to remove the pen ink while protecting the signature, rewrite the amount and payee to whatever they want, and then cash/deposit them (or use an unsuspecting/semi-suspecting middleman accomplice to cash or deposit them and then send them the funds).
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Happened to me. A criminal rounded up a gang of homeless folks to raid mailboxes with their flags raised. My lawn guy wondered why he did not get the check. Dealing with my bank was a nightmare to get my money back. One of the many Vice Presidents suggested I immediately close the account. That would involve getting new checks and changing the ten or so businesses that were on autopay. Finally the bank manager told him that was stupid. She was right. Oh did I mention the four page of legalize that required my signature. Four months later my account was credited. Now all mail is dropped off inside.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
People who still prefer writing checks.


The cases I've worked, it's generally 60+.

Well , all of us old folks don't always fit that mold .

I wasn't implying that all older people mail checks.

Rather, nearly all of the people who mail checks are old/older.

BTW the standard definition of old is twenty years. Thus the 60 year old guy views 80 as old. Rogue is probably in his forties.

It has more to do with the massive divide between those who grew up using personal computers, the internet, and related technology (40s/50s and under) and who are more likely to have readily adapted to it, versus those who didn't (50s/60+) and are more likely to not like, or not trust it, or some of whom never even learned to use them at all.

The need to write/send a check is NOT a prerequisite/all defining circumstance to mailing a tax return. You 'can' pay electronically and still be required to mail documents when filing a return, or filing an extension. In certain circumstances, such as when filing an Amended Return/1040X, you are required to file by mail. Late returns (regardless of whether payment is due or will result in a refund) after a certain time, also must be filed by mail. All of these situations/examples 'can' require a postmark by a certain deadline to avoid penalties.

quote:

Reply

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You missed one criteria.Older people who are still working are required to use the technology whether they like it or not. Plus those folks did not have the benefit of learning it in school. Being self taught is no picnic.
I have also dealt with quite a few younger folks who struggle with computer basics.