What exactly changed with USPS postmarks?

USPS now treats the postmark as the date your mail is accepted at a USPS processing facility. A drop in a collection box or at a non-processing counter no longer controls. If that acceptance happens after the tax filing deadline, your paper return can be considered late, even if you mailed it earlier.

Does a German postmark protect my US return?

No. A local German postmark does not control US timeliness. The deciding moment under the USPS postmark rule is the USPS processing facility’s acceptance scan in the United States. International mail may reach that scan days later, so build in time or use e-file or an IRS-designated private delivery service.

How can I meet the IRS mailing deadline from Germany?

E-file to avoid mailing risk. If you must send paper, use an IRS-designated private delivery service like UPS or FedEx to the correct street address, not a P.O. Box. Ship earlier than usual, keep tracking logs and receipts, and confirm delivery before the tax filing deadline to reduce disputes.

Will the change slow my state refund?

It can. If a state relies on similar intake timestamps, delayed acceptance scans can push processing and payment later, creating state refund delays. E-file with direct deposit usually speeds refunds. If you mail, send early, use trackable services, and keep proof in case you need to clarify your filing date.

Law and Government

February 22: USPS Postmark Changes Threaten Tax Filing Deadline Mail

ByDanny Kontos February 23, 2026February 23, 2026

The tax filing deadline now faces a new mail risk. Under the updated USPS postmark rule, a return is “on time” only when USPS accepts it at a processing facility. That shift can push late-mailed returns past the IRS mailing deadline and may trigger state refund delays. For taxpayers and small businesses in Germany with US filings, we explain what changed, why it matters, and practical steps to file safely, on time, and with proof.