In late December 2025, the IRS and U.S. Postal Service clarified how mail is postmarked, which may affect how contributions are credited for tax reporting purposes.
What’s changed?
A postmark now reflects when an envelope enters USPS processing – not necessarily the day it’s dropped in the mail. In some cases, postmarks may be applied days after mailing. Additionally, preprinted or kiosk postage labels do not indicate when USPS took possession of your envelope.
Why does this matter?
Checks processed or postmarked after key deadlines may not qualify for the intended tax year, which could impact tax planning and deductions.
How to prevent late contributions:
Mail contributions earlier than usual.
- Use trackable options – Certified Mail, Registered Mail, or a Certificate of Mailing provide confirmation of when the Postal Service accepted your envelope.
- Request a manual postmark when mailing close to a deadline – local Postmarks applied at the post office at the time of acceptance reflect the date USPS took possession of the mail.
- Avoid relying on printed or kiosk postage labels as proof of timing. These reflect purchase date, not confirmed receipt by the Postal Service.
Consider submitting contributions electronically to avoid ambiguity and ensure credits are made on time. Please reach out to me at (804) 600-5010 or kyle.e.murphy@lpl.com with any questions or concerns.