The USPS changed postmark rules in late 2025, meaning the date stamped on mail now reflects when it's first processed at a regional facility, not when you dropped it off, creating potential delays of a day or more for tax forms, ballots, and other deadlines. To ensure your mail is postmarked on the date you mail it, take it inside a post office and request a manual postmark, use Certified Mail, or mail time-sensitive items several days before the deadline. 

Key Changes Explained

• Processing Date: The postmark reflects the date of the first automated sorting operation at a regional hub, not the drop-off date.

• Delays: Mail might sit at a local post office before being sent to a regional center, delaying the postmark date.

• Impact: This affects "timely mailed" deadlines for taxes (IRS), legal documents, and mail-in ballots, potentially making them late. 

How to Ensure Your Mail's Date

• Go Inside: Take your item to the counter and ask for a manual postmark on the date you mail it.

• Use Certified/Registered Mail: These services provide proof of mailing on the date of acceptance.

• Mail Early: Send time-sensitive items several days before the deadline to account for processing delays. 

Why This Happened

• These changes are part of the USPS's "Delivering for America" plan to streamline operations and cut costs by consolidating processing centers.