The Hilo Post Office, located at the Hilo International Airport. File photo by Jamilia Epping.
Tax Day is nearing. Across the state, 26 United States Post Offices will offer late collection of mail next Monday, including three Big Island locations..
Post offices throughout the state will close at their regular times on Tax Day, however several locations will offer late collection in specially marked boxes.
Blue collection boxes or in-wall mail slots that are labeled with bright orange signs that read “Tax Mail Drop – Final Pick-Up Midnight” will be postmarked April 18.
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On the Big Island, the Hilo Airport Post Office, Kailua-Kona Post Office, and Kamuela Post Office will each have late pick-up boxes available.
The Postal Service provides the following friendly 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 designated locations returns deposited AFTER the last collection time will NOT receive Apr. 18 postmarks.
Beat the rush, mail early – Mail your tax returns early in the day. Post Offices typically become congested during lunch time and in the late afternoon and evening on the Tax Day deadline.
Ensure proper postage – Be sure to check that adequate postage is applied to your tax return. First-Class postage for a one-ounce letter is 47 cents. Large envelopes and items weighing more than one ounce or greater than ¼-inch thick require additional postage; check with a postal clerk to determine correct postage, or check the Postal Service website 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.
Proof of mailing/delivery – Mailers seeking proof of mailing and proof of delivery should request “Certified Mail with Return Receipt” when mailing 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 12 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 not available at Post Offices – Post Offices do not carry tax forms. Suggestion: Check out the IRS’s web site for downloadable forms.
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