TheU.S. Postal Serviceis making new changes in 2026, including adjustments to thepostmark process, which could result in late fees and penalties for anyone mailing time-sensitive documents such astax returnsor bill payments.
For decades, the postmark – an official mark that shows where and when mail was accepted by the Postal Service – has been used in law as proof that an individual met a deadline, such as submitting a ballot by Election Day.
A USPS postmark used to indicate the date when mail was dropped in a mailbox or submitted at the post office counter. Now, USPS is clarifying in a new rule that the postmark will reflect the date an envelope is first processed by an automated USPS sorting machine, potentially days after it was dropped off – not the actual drop-off date.
Changes to USPS are part of its Delivering For America initiative that includes consolidation of mail processing and modernizing infrastructure to fit a time when the volume of paper letters is dropping and the number of packages is increasing.
How does the new postmark rule affect your mail?
For a long time, Americans have assumed that mail will be postmarked the day it is mailed and may not be prepared to account for the extra days.
Tax payments, charitable contributions, legal filings, rent payments and other bills or items that rely on postmark dates for deadlines can be impacted by later postmarks and risk late fees, penalties, or delinquency.
Many states also accept ballots that are postmarked by Election Day.
Time-sensitive mail should be mailed several days before the deadline. People can also go inside their local post office and ask for a hand-stamped "manual postmark" on the date, or use certified mail.
When do USPS postal shipping rates go up and how much more will it cost?
While the cost of a First-Class Mail stamp, currently $0.78, is not set to rise at this time, shipping costs for Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select ratesare all expected to go upin the new year.
The increase inUSPS shipping ratesis set to take effect on Jan. 18. Prices are based on the package's weight and the distance it is being shipped.
Priority Mail prices start at $10.45 per package and $11.90 for a flat-rate Priority Mail envelope. They are expected to increase 6.6%.
Priority Mail Express packages start at $32.50 and flat-rate envelopes start at $33.40. They are expected to increase by 5.1%.
USPS Ground Advantage starts at $7.20 and is expected to increase by 7.8%.
Parcel Select is expected to increase by 6%.
The standard First-Class Mail letter rate of apostage stamp is $0.78for the first ounce and goes up $0.29 per additional ounce. This price has been in effect since July 2025 and is not expected to rise in January. The next possible price change is anticipated in mid-2026.
Modernization push
Post office modernizationis also on the way for the new year.
USPS announced redesigned, technology-forward lobbies are coming to retail locations nationwide in a modernization push that officials say will make post office visits faster, easier and more convenient for customers to ship and pick up mail.
"Modernizing our retail spaces is about meeting customers where they are today," said Tracy Raymond, director of retail operations in thenews release. "People expect speed, clarity and technology-driven convenience – and that's what our new lobbies deliver, while still offering the trusted, in-person attention that defines the Postal Service."
The upgraded post office lobbies will feature 24/7 smart lockers, enhanced self-service kiosks, Rapid Drop mobile app, digital information displays, and streamlined layouts. They will also provide more government service hub options such as passports, fingerprinting and identity proofing.
Sarah D. Wire covers national politics for USA TODAY and can be reached at swire@usatoday.com. Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist who covers trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic region.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:US Postal Service changes postmark rules; what to know right now