Postal Service Sees Drop in Mailed Tax Returns

Gone are the days when the local post office was open late for tax day.

This year, only three post offices in the San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino counties U.S. Postal District will have extended hours. None will be open late in southwest Riverside County, according to Eva Jackson, spokesperson for the tri-county district that also includes parts of Imperial County.

That is because less people are mailing in their returns, Jackson said.

"According to the IRS, 77 percent of 143 million individual 2010 tax returns were filed electronically," Jackson said. "So there really isn't as big of a need as there used to be."

Tax returns mailed by Tuesday evening from two offices in San Bernardino County will be postmarked with the April 17 date, according to Jackson.

"This is to accommodate last-minute filers who want the safety and security of sending personal information on tax returns through the U.S. Mail," Jackson said.

The San Bernardino Processing and Distribution Center, 1900 W. Redlands Blvd., in Redlands, will extend its retail service hours until 10 p.m. San Bernardino's Main Post Office, 390 W. Fifth Street will extend its retail service hours until 8 p.m. 

All other post office retail lobbies in the district will adhere to normal business hours and tax returns will be postmarked accordingly. Individual post office hours are available by visiting usps.com, or calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).