Postal Service: Online Filing Has Shrunken The Tax Day Rush

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The tax filing deadline has arrived, and the U.S. Postal Service is gearing up for the usual last-minute filing rush.

As WBBM Newsradio's John Waelti reports, the filing deadline has traditionally led to a chaotic scene at the main Post Office at Harrison and Canal streets. But Postal Service spokesman Mark Reynolds says online filing is changing that dynamic.

"We don't think that it's going to be as big a crowd as it's been over the past few years," Reynolds said. "We're continuing to see decline in mail volume; more and more people filing online. But there will always be people trying to get in here at the last minute."

This year, the filing deadline falls on April 17. The reason, according to Reynolds, is that because the 15th fell on a Sunday, and Monday was Emancipation Day in Washington, D.C.

Mail collectors will be outside the main Post Office branch until midnight. There will also be an outdoor retail van selling stamps.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's John Waelti reports