TAX TIME: IT'S ON THE MARK; AGENCIES GET READY FOR A LATE TAX CRUSH

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The postmark's the thing.

The Cape Girardeau Post Office is busy these days, certifying income tax returns for tax filers.

"We've had some lines here off and on throughout the past week," said Postmaster Michael O'Keefe, "Most people who file near the deadline want to have something to show when they mail their taxes."

O'Keefe points out that the certification is not really necessary.

"As long as the envelope is postmarked, it doesn't matter when the taxes reach the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS is going to look at the postmark," he explained.

With less than a week left before the midnight April 15 deadline, Missourians are scrambling to get tax returns completed.

"We're prepared for final day mailings," said O'Keefe. "We've never had any big problems here. Last year, at midnight, we had only two people still here."

O'Keefe will be on hand at the post office Monday until the deadline expires.

"I always come down about midnight on the final day for filing, and observe the proceedings of taking mail from the outside boxes, and watch the cancellation of the mail," he said. "We make sure all returns that come in at midnight are postmarked April 15."

O'Keefe added that plenty of stamps would be available.

"Post office personnel will make sure all stamp-vending machines are full," he said. "And, we'll have new scales to weigh returns."

"As of Saturday, April 6, there were still about 700,000 Missourians who had not filed," said Nova L. Felton, public affairs officer from the Missouri District Internal Revenue Service at St. Louis. "To date, we have received 1.3 million returns, about 400,000 of them during the past two weeks."

More than two million Missourians file income tax annually.

"It's not too late to file federal tax returns electronically," said Felton. "In fact, you can file electronically through April 15, and still receive your refund within three weeks."

Taxpayers filing paper returns can expect an 8- to 10-week wait for refunds.

Felton noted that a total of 162,000 about 12 percent returns had been filed electronically.

"The average refund for returns filed electronically was about $1,230," she said. "Meanwhile paper return refunds have been averaging about $805."

The IRS and Missouri Department of Revenue are going all out to help late filers.

IRS tax assistance telephone lines are open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

"We're extending our hours for the weekend," said Felton. The lines will remain open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. and Monday, the final day, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Filers may call 1-800-829-1040 for free tax help.

Tax representatives will also be in the lobby of the Cape Girardeau Post Office, 320 N. Frederick, Monday, from 5 to 8 p.m.

"Representatives will be available to answer last-minute tax questions," said Felton. "They will also have forms necessary to request an extension of time to file 1990 tax returns."

"However, we will not prepare any returns Monday," added Felton.

H&R Block tax preparers will remain open during the weekend.

"We'll be open Saturday and Sunday," said one Block spokesman. "And, we'll be open until 9 p.m. Monday."