What qualifies as by the April 15, 2019 deadline for 2018 IRA contributions? Does a postmark on a letter including the deposit check count?

[Coleen3 · Accepted solution]

No. While that qualifes for the tax return to be filed, they account must be physically open and funds deposited before midnight April, 15.

[dmertz]

It's up to the financial institution to determine whether or not they will use the postmark date as indicating that the contribution was made by the deadline.   Some will, some won't, so don't count on them going by the postmark date.

[Coleen3]

Mine did not.

[macuser_22]

Many financial institutions have disclaimers in the fine print of their agreement that they can take up to 3 business days to post a new contribution after they receive it and they report the posting date to the IRS.   Ask the financial institution.  This late I would personally visit the financial institution and get a printed dated receipt that specifies in writing that it is a 2018 contribution so that there will be no doubt.