California Society of Tax Consultants San Diego Chapter Established 1975

FIRST-CLASS MAIL RATE & RULES
              As of May 12, 2008
(See below the rules as of May 14, 2007)

More details - see USPS website at http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/ratesandfees.htm 

FIRST-CLASS MAIL RATE & RULES
              As of May 14, 2007

The new US Postal rates and rules increase the cost of postage for First-Class Mail
that cannot be sorted by machines used by the US Postal Service.

 New Rates & Rules for:

1.      Mail weighing over 3.5 ounces -
          Must use “Large Envelope” postage rates

2.   The envelope size with one dimension larger than 6 1/8 inches
          Must use “Large Envelope” postage rates

3.      Envelope with clasps, string, buttons, or similar closure devices -
          Additional 17 cent charge

4.      The address on the envelope is parallel to the shorter dimension of the envelope -
          Additional 17 cent charge.

Extra Charge                  No Extra Charge

            

                 

Ounces (up to)	Letter Rate	Large Envelope Rate ***
1	$  .41	$ .80
2	.58	.97
3	.75	1.14
3.5	.92	1.31
4	**	1.31
5	**	1.48
6	**	1.65
7	**	1.82
8	**	1.99
9	**	2.16
10	**	2.33
11	**	2.50
12	**	2.67
13	**	2.84	**** Note Below
14	**	3.01	**** Note Below
15	**	3.18	**** Note Below
16	**	3.35	**** Note Below
Over 16 oz (1 lb)		Starting at $4.60	Priority Mail

 ** All Mail Over 3.5 Ounces Must Use The Rates For Large Envelopes (aka “Flats”)
           – Regardless of the size of the envelope.

*** “Large Envelopes” are envelopes with one dimension larger than 6 1/8 inches
– Regardless of the weight. 

**** Mail Over 13 ounces –

             If the mail is over 13 ounces and not over 16 ounces you have a choice of rates:

1.       Mail with Postage Stamps or Private Postage Meter - Use Chart above. 

NOTE:

§   Mail with postage stamps weighing more than 13 ounces: 

·         Mail must be brought to an USPS employee at a retail counter in a post office or
at a postage contract unit. (The old rule was over 16 ounces)

·         Mail cannot be put into a USPS collection box or for pickup by a mail carrier
(The old rule was over 16 ounces).

§   Mail with metered postage weighing more than 13 ounces:
OK to use a collection box or pickup by mail carrier.

Or

2.       Use USPS’s on-line “Click ‘N Ship” postage at the priority mail starting rate of $4.60.

Ok to use collection box or pickup by mail carrier.

 Conclusion – The cost to mail tax returns weighing over 13 oz to clients has increased:
                       Option #1 — lower postage, requires trip to Post Office
                       Option #2 — higher postage, no trip to Post Office.

(Source: USPS Release No. 07-058, July 24, 2007)

   ENVELOPE SIZES

·        The small #9 business envelope is 3-7/8" X 8-7/8" – Letter Rate to 3.5 oz

·        The standard #10 business envelope is 4-1/8" X 9-1/2" – Letter Rate to 3.5 oz

·        6 X 9 envelopes – Letter Rate to 3.5 oz

·        6-1/2 X 9-1/2 envelopes – Large Envelope Rate

·        9 X 12, 9-1/2 X 12 and 10 x 13 envelopes – Large Envelope Rate

   SURCHARGE

A 17-cent surcharge (in addition to the Letter and Large Envelope rates) for:

·        Envelope with clasps, string, buttons, or similar closure devices.

·        Address parallel to the shorter dimension of the envelope.

·        Envelope Too Rigid – does not bend easily.

·        Square Envelopes of any size
plus an additional 17 cents if envelope is less than 5 inches square.

·        Envelope contains items such as pens that cause the surface to be uneven