As you plan your year-end charitable giving, we wanted to make you aware of changes the USPS is making to the postmark date system that could affect your tax benefits.
Under the new rule, which goes into effect on December 24, machine postmarks will be added at regional distribution centers, not local drop-off points.
Why does this matter?
It means that there could be a delay of several days between the time you put a check in the mail and the time it receives the postmark that determines whether your gift can be counted as a charitable contribution in 2025 or 2026.
For example, if you drop your check in the mail on December 31, you will not be able to claim that gift in 2025 if it ends up postmarked January 2.
What are your options?
If you would like your year-end gift to MAP to be counted for 2025, here are a few ways to help ensure it’s received on time:
- Give a gift online (recommended): You can give securely online anytime, ensuring your gift is received immediately and counted right away. There’s still time to have your year-end gift doubled through our matching gift opportunity. Click here to double your impact now.
- Mail your check early: To avoid your check being postmarked in 2026, you will want to get to the mailbox (or post office) as soon as possible, allowing a few extra days for it to reach the regional processing center where it will receive its official postmark.
- Request a Manual Postmark: You may present a mail piece at a retail counter and request a “manual (local) postmark”. This postmark is applied at the time of acceptance, so the date aligns with the date the USPS took possession.
- Pay for Postage at a Retail Counter: When you pay for postage at a retail counter, the Postage Validation Imprint label applied by the employee will indicate the date of acceptance.
- Purchase a Certificate of Mailing, or use Registered or Certified Mail: You may purchase a Certificate of Mailing, or use Registered or Certified Mail, to obtain a receipt that serves as evidence of the date the item was presented for mailing.
If you have any questions or would like assistance, we’re happy to help. Please email us at map@map.org.
At MAP, we value your partnership and want to make sure you have all the information you need to plan your year-end charitable giving with clarity and peace of mind. Thank you for helping us spread health and hope to a world in need. We couldn’t serve the millions of people we do without you.
