The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has implemented, effective December 24, 2025, new procedures for dating mail, postmarking letters and packages with the date they are processed at a postal facility rather than when they are dropped off in a mailbox—a shift that could affect whether time-sensitive mail is considered on time.
The USPS says the change is aimed at meeting strategic goals to cut costs and streamline mail processing by concentrating it in a smaller number of facilities. But it could create real challenges for consumers dealing with deadline-driven mail matters this tax season and beyond, from IRS filings and Medicare documents to mail-in ballots and government benefit notices.
Date differences between when a piece of mail is dropped off by the sender and when it is processed and postmarked are likely to “become more common,” according to USPS. That means a tax return dropped in a big blue mailbox on April 15 or a vote-by-mail ballot sent on Election Day could still be marked late—risking IRS penalties or a rejected vote—because USPS now postmarks when mail is processed rather than when it is sent.
HOW TO ENSURE MAIL IS DATED CORRECTLY
If you typically wait until the day before your tax deadline to mail your return, you might want to rethink simply slipping it into a mailbox or post office receptacle. Instead, consider taking it inside the post office and choosing one of these in-person options to document that it was in USPS’ hands ahead of a deadline:
• Request a manual postmark (also called a local postmark) to ensure the date matches when your item was accepted.
• Send by registered or certified mail, methods that provide mailing receipts and tracking.
• Get a certificate of mailing.
This works like a receipt, providing official proof of when an item was sent. Keep your copy; the USPS does not retain one. When it comes to meeting mailing deadlines, bear in mind that certificates of mailing do not provide tracking and, for some government institutions, do not override the postmark on the envelope.
ONLINE OPTIONS
• In many situations, you can submit timely paperwork online and eliminate worry about missing a mail-by date. Online filing typically provides clear, immediate proof of submission and bypasses the risk of processing delays at the post office. Examples include:
• Filing tax returns. Filing electronically through IRS e-file or authorized tax software such as TurboTax, TaxAct, or H&R Block provides instant confirmation that your return was received, eliminating uncertainty caused by USPS processing.
• Social Security applications and forms. You can apply for retirement benefits, family benefits, and Social Security Disability Insurance and digitally submit supporting documents using the My Social Security platform. Some forms, such as applications for survivor benefits, must be filed by phone or in person.
• Medicare paperwork. You can enroll in Medicare Parts A and B online through an online My Social Security account and, in some cases, join or switch Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D drug plans via Medicare.gov. Level 3 Medicare appeals can be made through the U.S. Health and Human Services Department’s appeal portal.
For mail-in voting, plan to send your ballot well in advance of Election Day. Or use options like drop boxes or hand delivery at election offices, based on your local rules.
