Orange Town Tax Returns and USPS Cancellation Dates

Per an article on CNBC by Sarah Agostino in her interview with the USPS she was told that USPS Postmarks may be delayed by the mailing distance to the USPS processing center. So, for time sensitive date stamps, such as for your Town tax payments, get a hand stamped cancellation date at the USPS customer window. DO NOT DROP YOUR LAST-MINUTE PAYMENTS IN A POST OFFICE MAILBOX AND EXPECT A TIMELY PAYMENT. In Orange, we typically have a one to two day delay between a mailbox (all mailboxes) or postal carrier pickup and the actual letter posting date at the Hartford Processing Center. If you wait for the Hartford Processing Center to cancel your envelope you may likely end up owing 2 months of additional interest and having a late payment recorded in the Tax System. By CT state law, the Tax Office cannot waive interest on late payments regardless of the reason. You may use any USPS Office to get your payment properly cancelled. Call or check the internet for your local Post Office hours of operation. The Town Tax Office closes at 4:30 p.m. for drop off in the Tax Office. It will be time stamped on the day it is received. Bring a self-addressed stamped envelope and your whole tax bill (Sections B & C included) if you need a receipt. The Tax Office windows close at 4 p.m. for same day processing if you need a receipt. Save some money, bring your whole tax bill if you desire a receipt! Otherwise, there is a 50 cent charge per receipt.