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PRC Notices USPS Competitive Product List Filings for Comment

The Postal Regulatory Commission published a notice on April 22, 2026, informing the public of USPS filings to add competitive negotiated service agreements to the Competitive product list. Two dockets are noticed: MC2026-209/K2026-208 (Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International & First-Class Package International Service Contract 111) and MC2026-216/K2026-214 (Fulfillment Standardized Distinct Product PM-GA Contract 966). Comments on the public proceeding are due April 27, 2026.

Priority Mail Express Priority Mail USPS Ground Advantage Negotiated Service Agreements

The United States Postal Service gives notice of filing 12 requests with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add domestic shipping services contracts to the list of Negotiated Service Agreements in the Mail Classification Schedule's Competitive Products List. The filings cover Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage products under MC and K docket numbers ranging from MC2026-202 through MC2026-216. Documents are available at www.prc.gov.

USPS International Mail Services Product Change

The Postal Service gives notice of filing a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add International Priority Airmail, Commercial ePacket, Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International & First-Class Package International Service Contract 19 to the list of Negotiated Service Agreements in the Competitive Product List in the Mail Classification Schedule. The filing was made on April 14, 2026, under Docket Nos. MC2026-207 and CP2026-206.

PRC Grants USPS $15B Waiver Through 2030

The Postal Regulatory Commission issued an order granting USPS a temporary conditional waiver of its rules regarding the use of Retirement Obligation Rate Authority revenue. The waiver allows USPS to use additional revenue for operational expenditures instead of statutorily mandated retirement payments, potentially providing access to $15 billion or more through 2030. The Commission's action is temporary and does not alter USPS's statutory payment obligations.

New Postal Products Notice - Comment Invited on Competitive Negotiated Service Agreements

The Postal Regulatory Commission published a notice on April 21, 2026, informing the public of USPS filings for three competitive negotiated service agreements and inviting public comment. The dockets involve modifications to Priority Mail Express International and First-Class Package International Service Contract 68, addition of Priority Mail Contract 954, and a new Fulfillment Standardized Distinct Product (PM-GA Contract 965). Comments on the public proceedings are due April 24, 2026.

Census Bureau to Pilot USPS for 2026 Census Test

The U.S. Census Bureau announced a pilot collaboration with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for its 2026 Census Test in Huntsville, Alabama and Spartanburg, South Carolina. Approximately 154,600 households will be invited to respond online starting May 1, 2026, with in-person enumeration from June 1 through August 31. The pilot will test using postal workers to collect responses from non-responding households as part of research informing potential nationwide implementation in the 2030 Census.

USPS Compliance Report, Fiscal Year 2025

The Postal Regulatory Commission received and accepted a compliance report from the United States Postal Service covering Fiscal Year 2025. The filing, submitted on March 27, 2026, contains a table of contents listing sections on the organizational structure of the postal system, competitive products, institutional costs, and related financial and operational disclosures. The full substantive content of the report is not readable in the available document text.

Start of 2026 Tax Season, April 15 Filing Deadline

The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services announced the opening of the 2026 tax season, currently accepting individual state income tax returns for the 2025 tax year. The state and federal income tax filing deadline is Wednesday, April 15, 2026. A change in USPS postmark practices may affect taxpayers who mail their returns and payments, as USPS now dates mail by first processing rather than drop-off date.

PRC Invites Comments on USPS Negotiated Service Agreement Filings for International Mail

The Postal Regulatory Commission noticed two USPS filings for negotiated service agreements involving international mail products. The first concerns modification to International Priority Airmail, Commercial ePacket, Priority Mail Express International & Priority Mail International Contract 4. The second seeks to add International Priority Airmail, Commercial ePacket, Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International & First-Class Package International Service Contract 19 to the Competitive Product List. The Commission invites public comments on whether these filings are consistent with postal policies.

Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage Negotiated Service Agreements Notice

The Postal Service gave notice on April 15, 2026, of filing requests with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add domestic shipping services contracts to the list of Negotiated Service Agreements in the Mail Classification Schedule's Competitive Products List. Seven filings were submitted between April 7-10, 2026, covering Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage services.

Proposed Mailing Standards Revisions to DMM for July 2026 Price Adjustments

The U.S. Postal Service proposes comprehensive revisions to the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) effective July 12, 2026, to implement price adjustments filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission. Key changes include elimination of ADC/AADC rate categories for First-Class Mail, USPS Marketing Mail, and Periodicals in favor of 3-Digit rates, restructuring of Periodicals Outside County pricing, increases in Marketing Mail weight limits (flats to 20 oz, CR flats to 24 oz), and introduction of Heavy Printed Matter for Marketing Mail parcels. Public comments are due May 14, 2026.

USPS International Price Changes, Comments Due May 18

The Postal Service proposes to revise the International Mail Manual (IMM) to reflect mailing services price adjustments effective July 12, 2026. The proposed changes include approximately 2.7% price increases for First-Class Mail International postcards, letters, and flats, along with fee adjustments for extra services including Certificate of Mailing, Registered Mail, and Return Receipt. Comments are due May 18, 2026.

Governor Shapiro Joins Multistate Lawsuit Challenging Executive Order 14399 on Election Administration

Governor Josh Shapiro joined a multistate lawsuit led by California, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Washington challenging Executive Order 14399, which seeks to establish a federal list of eligible voters through DHS and restrict mail-in voting via USPS. The lawsuit alleges the executive order unconstitutionally usurps states' constitutional authority to administer elections. Governor Shapiro and 17 other states joined the legal action in federal court.

Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage Negotiated Service Agreement

The United States Postal Service filed a Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage negotiated service agreement with the Postal Regulatory Commission on April 8, 2026. The filing is a product change notice advising the public of the negotiated service agreement. This is a routine regulatory filing as required under postal service regulations.

New Mailing Standards for Domestic Mailing Services Products

The United States Postal Service proposes revisions to the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) to implement price adjustments effective July 12, 2026. Key changes include eliminating ADC/AADC rates for First-Class Mail, USPS Marketing Mail, and Periodicals and replacing with 3-Digit rates; restructuring Periodicals Outside County Rates to eliminate bundle and container rates; increasing maximum weights for Marketing Mail flats (to 20 oz automation, 24 oz Carrier Route); and introducing Heavy Printed Matter for Marketing Mail parcels with a 15-pound limit.

Paper Tax Return Postmark Deadline Tips

Virginia Tax issued filing guidance reminding paper tax return filers that returns must be postmarked on or before the due date to be considered timely filed. The agency notes recent USPS process changes may delay same-day postmarking. Three tips provided: file early, request a manual postmark at the post office, or file electronically.

USPS Postmark Changes May Affect Tennessee Tax Filing Timeliness

The United States Postal Service announced changes to the application of postmarks that may affect whether certain Tennessee tax filings mailed to the Department of Revenue are considered timely. Taxpayers filing by mail should consult TN DOR Notice 26-09 for guidance on how these changes impact filing and payment timeliness determinations.

Revised Mailing Standards for Firearms

The USPS proposes to amend Publication 52 to expand the scope of mailable firearms to include handguns, aligning with the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel opinion that Section 1715 of 18 U.S.C. is unconstitutional as applied to constitutionally protected firearms. The proposed revisions would allow lawful handguns to be mailed under the same terms and conditions as rifles and shotguns. Comments are due May 4, 2026.

Domestic Priority Mail Express, Ground Advantage Added to Competitive Products

The United States Postal Service filed three requests with the Postal Regulatory Commission to add domestic shipping services—Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage—to the Competitive Products List under Negotiated Service Agreements. The filings (MC2026-174, MC2026-175, MC2026-176) were submitted between March 25-27, 2026, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3642 and 3632(b)(3).

USPS Postmark Changes May Affect Louisiana Tax Filings

The Louisiana Department of Revenue is alerting taxpayers to changes in USPS postmark processing that may cause mailed tax documents to be postmarked later than the date they were mailed. This could result in penalties and interest for late filings, even if mailed on time. Taxpayers are encouraged to file and pay electronically via LaTAP.

USPS Postmark Changes Affect Tax Filing Timeliness

The Iowa Department of Revenue issued guidance explaining how recent USPS Domestic Mail Manual changes (effective December 24, 2025) affect the timeliness of mailed tax returns, payments, and appeals. The guidance clarifies how the updated postmark policies apply to Iowa tax filing deadlines. Taxpayers who mail filings should review the new requirements to ensure submissions are considered timely.