NORTH ADAMS - The U.S. Postal Service expects last-minute tax-filers today - the deadline for 2008 income tax returns, but the number of procrastinators has dropped significantly in recent years.

Postal Service officials say filing taxes is easier now with online filing and a preponderance of tax preparation services. According to the state Department of Revenue, electronic filing is up 6 percent from last year, and 82 percent of all returns are filed electronically. Even the current economic recession is expected to impact the number of tax returns filed this year.

"When I was in Pittsfield 15 or 20 years ago, tax returns kept the (post office) window open until 9 o' clock," said Rob Kuzmins, a supervisor at the North Adams Post Office on Summer Street. "In Springfield, it was open until midnight. In New York City, they were giving out refreshments.

"Those days are gone," he said.