Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, whenever any check, money order or other form of payment or reports is required to be made to any state agency or any county, municipality or other political subdivision of the state by or before a certain date and the mailing is made by United States mail, then the date that the mail containing the payment or report is postmarked by the United States Post Office shall be considered as the date the payment or report is made. The date of the United States Post Office postmark is proof of the date of payment or report if the payment or report was mailed with postage paid and was correctly addressed.