Avoid Penalties By Understanding Postmarks

Postmarks are imprints applied in black ink on the address side of stamped letters, flats, and parcels. A postmark shows the name of the United States Postal Service (USPS) office that accepted custody of the mail, along with the state, the zip code, and the date of mailing. The postmark is generally applied, either by machine or by hand, with cancellation bars to indicate that the postage cannot be reused. If the Post Office location is not indicated on the mail piece then it is has not been postmarked.

Taxpayers who send their payments by mail are cautioned that the Post Office only postmarks certain mail depending on the type of postage used, and may not postmark mail on the same day deposited by a taxpayer. Mailings bearing a permit, meter, or precanceled stamp for postage may not bear a postmark when we receive the payment. Postmarks are dated by the collection date, not necessarily the day your envelope was dropped off.

Postage That is Postmarked

• Standard Postage Stamps: Stamps purchased and affixed to mail as evidence of the payment of postage.

Postage That is Not Postmarked

• Metered Mail: Mail on which postage is printed directly on an envelope or label by a postage machine licensed by the USPS. Many private companies use these types of postage machines.
• Pre-Canceled Stamp: Stamps sold through a private vendor, such as stamps.com®.
• Automated Postal Center (APC) Stamps: Stamps, with or without a date, purchased from machines located within a USPS lobby.
• Permit Imprint: Pre-sorted mail used by bill pay services, such as online home banking.

If you use these types of postage, the USPS will not postmark your mail. You will be charged a 10% penalty and a $26.00 cost, if applicable, if we do not receive your mailed payment by the delinquency date.

Other Postmark Options

Purchase and complete a Certificate of Mailing from the USPS, which is a receipt that provides evidence of the date that your mail was presented to the USPS for mailing. It can only be purchased at the time of mailing through the USPS. The USPS charges a fee for this service.

Purchase a Postage Validated Imprint (PVI) Label from a USPS retail counter or window. The PVI is applied to a piece of mail by personnel at the retail counter or window when postage has been paid to mail that item. The item is retained in USPS custody and is not handed back to the customer. The date printed on the PVI label is the date of mailing.

Save money! Save time! Pay online!

To make a payment, use our Online Payment option.

There is no need to write a check, hunt for stamps, or travel to a mailbox. You do not have to worry about mail delays or post office closures.

• You may pay online with an electronic check.
• You may also pay online by using a credit card (Visa, MasterCard) or a Visa debit card.
• Electronic payments can be made 24/7
• There are processing fees charged by the vendor, when paying by echeck/credit/debit card.