Published: April 14, 2009 09:20 pm      

Are you ready for tonight's tax-filing deadline?

Somerset — Procrastinating income tax filers may be in for a rude shock if they drag their feet in mailing income tax returns today. Financial problems and an increase in online filing have eliminated extended hours on Tax Day at all post offices in Pulaski County as well as in most places across the country.

The latest place to mail an income tax envelope is at the Somerset Post Office where the window will be open until 6 p.m. Mail dropped in outside boxes is picked up at the same time. To get an April 15 postmark, income tax envelopes must be mailed by 6 p.m., a Somerset post office spokesman emphasized.

Greg Haynes, supervisor at West Somerset Station, said windows close at 4 p.m. Income tax documents mailed at West Somerset after 4 p.m. will be postmarked April 16, not meeting the IRS deadline.

The same is true at Bronston Post Office. Rosetta Vaught, postmaster at Bronston, said any mail deposited after 4 p.m. today will be postmarked the following day.

At the Burnside Post Office, mail at the window by 4 p.m. will have an April 15 postmark. Any mail deposited in the outside box by 4:15 p.m. will be postmarked April 15, according to Postmaster Carol Ann Lovell.

Ginger Bell, officer in charge at the Ferguson Post Office, reiterated that no late hours will be observed this year. Mail at the window by 4 p.m. will get an April 15 postmark.

If you mail your income tax at the window or any of the drops at the Nancy Post Office by 4 p.m. the envelope will carry an April 15 postmark, according to Postmaster Dan Wells.

“We close the window at 4 o’clock and pick up the outside box at the same time,” said Murrell Flynn, postmaster at the Science Hill Post Office.

Joey Keith, clerk at Eubank Post Office, said an April 15 postmark will be on any mail at the window by 4 p.m. It must be in the outside box by 3:30 p.m. to meet the IRS deadline, he noted.

The window at the Tateville Post Office closes at 4 p.m., according to Rita Robinson, officer in charge. However, Robinson said she will be at the post office until 4:30 p.m. and income tax envelopes dropped into the slot until 4:30 will be postmarked April 15.

Following are some helpful tips for pre-deadline filers:

• Those who hand-address tax return envelopes should be sure to write or print neatly, double check the mailing address, and include a return address.

• Want to make sure your return gets to the IRS fast? Use Express Mail. Express Mail also insures your documents and provides a receipt for mailing and delivery.

• If a tax return feels heavier than one ounce, it’s a good idea to weigh it because the IRS will not pay additional postage and will penalize for late payment. Also, FAA rules require that stamped tax returns weighing one pound or more must be mailed at a post office.

• Consider mailing your tax return by Certified Mail if you want a receipt to prove it was sent on time, or Registered if you have original receipts enclosed.

• Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation service can be used to mail your tax return to the IRS. The postmark on the package will be accepted by the IRS to validate timely filing and the receipt provides tracking information for your mail piece.

As long as your return is postmarked by April 15 the IRS considers your return to be filed on time.