The Postal Service generally does not receive tax dollars to support its normal operations. Instead, it relies on postage to cover the cost of delivering mail. As with private businesses, the Postal Service faces increased costs, including gas and wages. While postal pricing is regulated, postal prices are allowed to increase. The Postal Service increased its prices on its letters and flats in August 2021 and expects to change them again around July 2022. Parcel prices change on a different schedule and typically occur each January. In addition, for the past two years, USPS has implemented temporary peak-season holiday surcharges on some parcels.