As we approach the end of the year, many supporters choose to make charitable contributions through the mail. A recent change by the United States Postal Service, however, could affect whether mailed donations qualify as a 2025 tax-deductible gift. Beginning December 24, 2025, the way USPS applies postmarks is changing—and this shift may impact the official date of your charitable contribution. The information below explains what’s changing, why it matters, and how you can ensure your year-end gift is properly credited.
** Important Update **
Regarding End-of-Year Charitable Contributions Made thru the Mail
New Postal Regulation Could Jeopardize End-of-Year Tax Deductions
What is The Issue? The United States Postal Service (USPS) is changing the way it applies the postmark on envelopes you send through the mail.
This change takes place beginning December 24, 2025, and could impact your ability to claim a tax-deduction for charitable gifts made through the postal system at the end of 2025.
What is the Change? The U.S. Post Office will no longer automatically apply a postmark on your letter when you drop it at your local Post Office. The postmark will be applied – potentially days later – when it arrives at one of the USPS’ Regional Facilities.
Until now, the letter you dropped in a mailbox, or at your local Post Office, would be postmarked the day you drop it off. That is no longer the case. Now, your letter will not be postmarked until it reaches a Regional Facility of the USPS – potentially days after you put it in the mail.
Are Year-End Donations Impacted? Your year-end charitable donations could be impacted if you are sending them through the mail.
Nonprofit organizations like Freedom Alliance are required to use the postmark as the standard for determining the date a charitable gift is made when sent through the mail.
Any donation you make to Freedom Alliance, or any charitable organization, must be postmarked December 31 or earlier to have it count as a 2025 contribution. That means if you are sending your donation through the mail, consider these options:
What You Can Do: Instead of sending your contribution through the mail, you can make an online contribution to Freedom Alliance at this link, or to another organization of your choosing, by December 31 to ensure charitable credit for 2025.
At your local Post Office, take your mail to the counter and ask for a hand-stamped postmark which will show the actual mailing date.
Or, while you are at your local Post Office, you can purchase postage at the counter which will show the current date.
You can send your letter by Certified or Registered Mail and request a receipt which will have the correct mailing date. However, you must keep your receipt in a safe place with your other tax documents for proof.
If you choose to send your donation through the mail, you can drop your contribution at your local Post Office several days before the end of the year.
Other Considerations: Going forward into 2026, this will also apply to other items you send through the mail like your tax return. Hint: put it in the mail well before April 15. It could also apply to other deadline-sensitive, financial or legal documents.
Reminder: To avoid confusion related to the new postal regulations, you can make an online contribution to Freedom Alliance, a gift of stock, or a wire transfer by December 31. Thank you for your support.
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