2019 Tax Day: Which Post Offices Are Open Late In Lakeland?

LAKELAND, FL -- Tax day is here. You have until April 15 to file your 2018 federal tax returns without incurring a penalty from the Internal Revenue Service. Unlike previous years, when local holidays have pushed out the date and given taxpayers a little extra time to file, the 2019 date falls squarely on April 15. That’s Monday.

Only Massachusetts and Maine residents get a little extra time. The deadline in those two states is April 17 as April 15 is Patriots’ Day in the two states and April 16 is Emancipation Day in Washington D.C.

Since the deadline is here, the IRS encourages taxpayers to e-file their returns for a number of reasons. The IRS says electronically filing tax returns is secure, convenient and means refunds — for those lucky enough — will be delivered faster. The agency also notes that the e-file service can be used whether you owe money or are owed a refund.

For those who prefer to file their tax returns the old fashioned way and mail it to the IRS, the return must be postmarked by the filing date deadline.

The federal tax return filing deadline is April 15 and the extension deadline is October 15.

Statistics from the IRS show that through the end of March, the IRS has received 1.4 percent fewer returns than the previous year. The New York Times reported that the IRS expects to receive more than 14.6 million extension requests in 2019.

Taxpayers can fill out IRS form 4868 to get an automatic extension of time to file their returns. However, the IRS cautions that an extension to file does not mean an extension of time to pay any taxes owed.

According to the United States Postal Service, taxpayers should check the IRS website for where to mail a tax return. The destination and return address should be written clearly on the package. The USPS also says to ensure the right amount of postage is used or the package will be returned.

Some post offices have extended hours on tax day and offer late postmarking, the USPS says.

Lakeland residents can find a list of post office locations nearby by searching on the USPS website and calling a local post office to find out the hours for tax day. While searching on the USPS website, use the “refine search” option and narrow your search to 24-hour facilities or for post offices open after 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Debbie Fetterly of the Postal Service told Patch that it is important to note the pick-up schedules on the blue collection boxes.

"As long as they deposit per the schedule, their tax return will receive a 4/15 postmark," Fetterly added.

Anyone dropping off their return in person should make sure they hand it over only to a person with a postal photo ID, according to Fetterly.

Here's a list of Post Office locations around the Lakeland area that offer hours past 5 p.m.

LAKELAND
2800 LAKELAND HILLS BLVD
LAKELAND, FL 33805-9998

• Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
• Sat 9 am - 1 pm
• Sun Closed
• Lot Parking Available

SOUTHSIDE POSTAL STORE
6000 S FLORIDA AVE
LAKELAND, FL 33813-9996

• Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
• Sat 9 am - 1 pm
• Sun Closed
• Lot Parking Available

WINTER HAVEN
111 W CENTRAL AVE
WINTER HAVEN, FL 33880-9998

• Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 6 pm
• Sat9 am - 2:30 pm
• Sun Closed
• Lot Parking Available

Here are some additional tips:

• Mail early in the day at any Post Office. Be sure to verify Post Office hours of operation.
• If depositing a tax return in a blue collection box on April 15, double check the scheduled pick-up time. Your tax envelope must be deposited prior to the last scheduled pick-up time posted to receive the April 15 postmark.
• Clearly and correctly address your envelope, including the return address, and use the correct ZIP Code, if not using the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) pre-addressed envelope.
• Affix the correct postage. Some tax returns include many forms and require additional postage. For First-Class letter-sized envelopes, one ounce is 55 cents and 15 cents for each additional ounce. A two-ounce letter-sized envelope is 70 cents. For a First-Class flat-sized (8 ½ X 11) envelope, the cost is $1.00 up to the first ounce and 15 cents for each additional ounce. That would be $1.15 for up to two ounces.

You can find the USPS’ full guidance on mailing your tax returns here.