Reverse USPS Postmark Rule FR Doc. 2025-20740

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to reverse the United States Postal Service final rule FR Doc. 2025-20740, which fundamentally changes how postmarks are applied and interpreted. This rule will create serious problems for constituents who rely on postmarks for tax filings, bill payments, and mail-in voting. The new rule adds Section 608.11 to the Domestic Mail Manual and redefines postmarks so that the date inscribed no longer represents when USPS first accepted possession of a mail piece. Instead, the postmark date now reflects the date of the first automated processing operation at a processing facility, which can occur days after a constituent drops off their mail. This discrepancy is expected to worsen due to the Regional Transportation Optimization initiative and new service standards. This change directly threatens taxpayers who rely on IRC Section 7502, which uses the postmark date to determine timely filing when documents do not physically reach the IRS by the deadline. A constituent who mails their tax return on April 15th may receive a postmark dated April 17th or later, potentially triggering penalties and interest charges through no fault of their own. The rule also jeopardizes mail-in voting, where postmark dates determine ballot validity in many jurisdictions. Voters who mail ballots on Election Day could have their votes rejected if the postmark shows a later date. Similarly, constituents making time-sensitive bill payments or meeting legal deadlines will face late fees and penalties despite mailing items on time. While USPS claims customers can request manual postmarks at retail counters or purchase Certificates of Mailing, these solutions require additional time, cost, and knowledge that many constituents lack. This effectively creates a two-tiered system where only those aware of these workarounds can protect themselves. I urge you to introduce or support legislation that reverses this rule and requires USPS to apply postmarks reflecting the actual date of acceptance. Constituents should not face financial penalties or lose their voting rights because of USPS operational changes that obscure when mail was actually received.