Monday, April 15, 2024
The clock is ticking
Americans increasingly file their taxes online, but mail still plays an important role for some
The final day for most Americans to file their 2023 taxes without penalty is Monday, April 15.
There used to be long lines at Post Offices as last-minute filers rushed to beat the postmark deadline, and many locations stayed open late to accommodate them.
But today, most returns are filed online. About 6 percent of taxpayers mailed paper returns last year, according to the IRS.
Still, mailing a paper return — especially if it is sent certified or registered — can bring filers a sense of security.
“I’m very happy that the Post Office can provide this secure service,” said Tim Qiu, a California 1 District acting integrated operating plan specialist who recently used Certified Mail for his return.
Usps.com offers guidelines for customers who mail their returns, including a list of helpful products and services, such as a Certificate of Mailing and USPS Tracking Plus.
The IRS website also has information, including deadlines for those who have been affected by a natural disaster or who live and work abroad.
For those who miss the we’re-all-in-this-together spirit of the last-minute rush with analog returns, the Five Points Post Office in Franklin, TN, is recreating that mood with an event that will allow filers to drive or walk up to get their postage-paid returns stamped by midnight.
“Even if people filed their taxes months ago, they’re welcome to come and enjoy the evening of fun, food and friends,” Julie Brown, who co-owns the contract Post Office, told the Williamson Herald last week.
Celebrate Diversity Month is underway
The annual observance is held every April
April is Celebrate Diversity Month, a time to raise awareness and foster an appreciation of everyone’s uniqueness, as well as similarities we share.
As noted in the Delivering for America plan, diversity is a long-standing value and tradition of the Postal Service. The organization began observing Celebrate Diversity Month in 2004.
Diversity and inclusion are important to the organization’s success because they affect every aspect of USPS, including employees and customers.
The Postal Service encourages employees to learn more about the diverse cultures, backgrounds and life experiences of their co-workers and customers.
The MyHR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion page has more information to help employees learn about cultural awareness and recognize the diversity in their lives and workplace.
Employees can email relevant questions to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team.
Heroes
Look for the helpers
The Postmaster General Heroes’ Program seeks nominations
Do you know Postal Service employees like Bryan Cocadiz, a Monterey Park, CA, letter carrier who alerted a sleeping customer to a fire inside the man’s home?
We want to know about them, too.
USPS is seeking nominees for the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program, which honors employees who go above and beyond the call of duty.
The program is based on a simple idea: Postal Service employees know the habits of their customers and the rhythms of their communities and are often the first to notify emergency personnel when something is wrong.
Employees must be nominated for the award. Corporate Communications reviews nominations for accuracy, then sends them to the Postal Inspection Service and the USPS Office of Inspector General for approval.
Following approval, each nominee receives a commendation letter from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
Honorees are also featured in Link’s “Heroes” column. Additionally, a heroes’ wall at USPS headquarters in Washington, DC, displays stories and photos, which are updated monthly.
To nominate an employee, complete PS Form 400, Corporate Communications PMG Hero Nomination, and email it to PMG_HeroNominations@usps.gov.
To catch up on previously featured employees, check out Link’s “Heroes” archives.
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered April 7-13
Stamps, price changes and a TV miniseries were in the news
Two new stamps dominated Link’s coverage last week.
The Postal Service announced plans to release a stamp this year honoring baseball great Hank Aaron, who rose from humble beginnings to rewrite the record books while prevailing in the face of racism.
The stamp was announced April 8, the 50th anniversary of the game where Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record.
Link also covered the stamp ceremony honoring former first lady Betty Ford, who was widely admired for her support of women’s rights and her candor about the serious health challenges she faced.
“She single-handedly redefined the role of the modern first lady, using her platform to speak about issues she cared about,” said Amber McReynolds, vice chair of the USPS Board Governors, who spoke at the ceremony.
We also told you about the Postal Service’s plans to change some prices in July and took you behind the scenes of the organization’s latest TV advertising campaign.
Additionally, we went “On the Job” with Cameron Larsen, a Salt Lake City distribution operations supervisor, and “Off the Clock” with Dallas Crawley, a Merrifield, VA, an acting engineering systems maintenance supervisor who coaches youth basketball in his free time.
Finally, we previewed “Franklin,” a new TV miniseries about Benjamin Franklin’s diplomatic career after his tenure as postmaster general.
The eight-part series, streaming on Apple TV+, shows how Franklin traveled to Paris and persuaded the Kingdom of France to militarily support the fledgling United States’ rebellion against the British.
Stephen Kochersperger, the acting USPS historian, said this might have been Franklin’s “finest” hour.
“His mission to France was extremely delicate, but without French support, the war for independence would have failed,” Kochersperger said.
Marketing exec appointed to Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has appointed marketing executive Trish Jackson to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee.
The committee, also known as CSAC, recommends future stamp subjects.
Jackson is a marketing campaign analyst for Cigna-Scripts Express.
She grew up in Williamsburg, VA, and is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Jackson lives in New Hampshire with her husband and has two children.
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What's included
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The clock is ticking
Americans increasingly file their taxes online, but mail still plays an important role for some
-
Celebrate Diversity Month is underway
The annual observance is held every April
-
Heroes
Look for the helpers
The Postmaster General Heroes’ Program seeks nominations
-
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered April 7-13
Stamps, price changes and a TV miniseries were in the news
-
Brief
Marketing exec appointed to Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee