The U.S. Postal Service’s new postmark process can result in late fees and penalties when mailing time-sensitive documents.
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The U.S. Postal Service is honoring former President Jimmy Carter by issuing a new Forever stamp on what would have been Carter’s 101st birthday.
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The U.S. Postal Service plans to make new changes in 2026, including adjustments to the postmark process, which could result in late fees and penalties for people mailing time-sensitive documents like tax returns and bill payments.
Postmarks, the official mark of when and where a piece of mail was accepted by the post office, have been used by law for decades to prove that individuals have met deadlines, such as submitting a ballot by Election Day.
The USPS postmark is used to indicate the date a piece of mail was placed in your mailbox or submitted to a post office counter. Now, the USPS is clarifying in new rules that the postmark will reflect the date the envelope was first processed by a USPS automatic sorter, sometimes several days after it was mailed, rather than the actual mailing date.
The changes to USPS are part of the Delivering For America initiative, which includes consolidating mail processing and modernizing infrastructure for a time when the volume of paper letters is decreasing and the number of packages is increasing.
How will the new postmark rules affect my email?
For a long time, Americans thought their mail was postmarked the same day it was posted, and they may not be prepared to account for the extra days.
Tax payments, charitable contributions, legal filings, rent payments, and other invoices and items that rely on postmarks on deadlines can be affected by later postmarks and risk late fees, penalties, or late payments.
Many states also accept ballots postmarked by Election Day.
Time-sensitive mailings should be mailed several days before the deadline. You can also go to your local post office and ask for a handwritten “manual postmark” on the date, or use certified mail.
When will USPS postage rates increase and how much will they cost?
The price of First Class Postage stamps, currently $0.78, is not expected to increase at this time, but Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select shipping costs are all expected to increase in the new year.
USPS shipping rate increases are scheduled to go into effect on January 18th. Prices are based on the weight of the package and the distance it will be shipped.
- Priority Mail prices start at $10.45 per package, and flat rate Priority Mail envelopes start at $11.90. An increase of 6.6% is expected.
- Priority Mail Express packages start at $32.50 and flat rate envelopes start at $33.40. An increase of 5.1% is expected.
- USPS Ground Advantage starts at $7.20 and is expected to increase by 7.8%.
- Parcel Select is expected to increase by 6%.
Standard first class postage for stamps is $0.78 for the first ounce and increases by $0.29 for each additional ounce. This price has been in effect since July 2025 and is not scheduled to increase in January. The next price change is expected in mid-2026.
Promoting modernization
Modernization of the post office is also progressing towards the new year.
The USPS announced that redesigned, technology-advanced lobbies will be installed at retail stores nationwide as part of its modernization drive. Officials say this will make it faster and easier for customers to visit the post office, making it more convenient to send and receive mail.
“Modernizing our retail space means meeting our customers where they are,” Tracy Raymond, director of retail operations, said in a news release. “People expect speed, clarity and technology-driven convenience. That’s what our new lobby provides, while also providing the trusted face-to-face interaction that is the hallmark of the Postal Service.”
The upgraded post office lobby will feature 24/7 smart lockers, enhanced self-service kiosks, the Rapid Drop mobile app, digital information displays and a streamlined layout. It will also offer options for government service hubs such as passports, fingerprint recognition, and identity verification.
Sarah D. Wire covers national politics for USA TODAY. Contact him at swire@usatoday.com. Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist who covers trending topics throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
