COUNTYWIDE : Postal Service Ready for Tax Deadline

As the annual countdown to tax filing day begins, the U.S. Postal Service is gearing up for the ritual last-minute rush before Monday’s deadline.

Because April 15, the traditional tax day, falls this year on Sunday when most post offices are closed, the Internal Revenue Service decided to give taxpayers a one-day reprieve.

“This year is no different than any other. We have seen a negligible flow of tax returns so far, but as tax day approaches, we will witness a building crescendo of returns,” said Mark Bodycombe, a Postal Service official.

To accommodate the increased volume of mail, the post office has installed special collection boxes for depositing state and federal tax forms. Items mailed before midnight Monday in these clearly marked white collection boxes will receive a cancellation of April 16.

For added convenience, postage will be sold exclusively for tax returns until midnight at the Oxnard Main Post Office, 1961 C St. Stamps will be available at other post offices through fully stocked vending equipment, Bodycombe said.

The special collection boxes are located in front of the following offices:

* Camarillo Post Office, 2150 Pickwick Drive.

* Carpinteria Post Office, 5425 Carpinteria Ave.

* Moorpark Post Office, 215 W. Los Angeles Ave.

* Ojai Post Office, 201 E. Ojai Ave.

* Oxnard Post Office, 1961 N. C St.

* Oxnard Saviers Station, 2532 Saviers Road.

* Port Hueneme Post Office, 560 E. Pleasant Valley Road.

* Santa Paula Post Office, 111 S. Mill St.

* Simi Valley Post Office, 2551 N. Galena Ave.

* Ventura Post Office, 675 E. Santa Clara St.

* East Ventura Station, 41 S. Wake Forest Ave.