Surplus funds and unclaimed money: questions and answers

When a property is sold at a tax sale or a foreclosure auction, the sale pays off the taxes or debt, plus interest and costs. If the buyer paid more than that, the leftover money is called surplus funds, or sometimes excess proceeds. In most states that money belongs to the former owner, or to their heirs if the owner has died. In 2023 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Tyler v. Hennepin County that a county can't simply keep the excess from a tax sale. Many owners still never claim it, often because they moved and never got the notice.

Counties and boroughs publish lists of surplus funds waiting to be claimed. Your name, or the name of someone in your family, appeared on one of those public lists. We found a mailing address through public property records or a commercial address-lookup service and sent you a letter. We may contact owners by mail, phone or email using public records. We do not make automated or robocalls. If you'd like us to stop contacting you, tell us once and we will.

It's a fair question, and you should ask it of anyone who contacts you about money. Here's how to check us, and anyone else: Call the county, borough or state office holding the money. Use the phone number from that office's own website, not one from our letter. They can confirm whether money is being held in your name. We never ask for money up front. Anyone who asks you to pay a fee before you are paid is a red flag. We never ask for your online banking passwords, and we never ask you to send money to us before the county pays you. We will always tell you that you can claim the money yourself, for free. Nothing is agreed until you sign a written agreement that shows the fee in dollars. Please don't email us your Social Security number or copies of ID through this website. If you hire us, we'll set up a secure way to collect documents.

Yes, and some are short. In Alaska, a claim filed more than six months after the tax sale is barred. In Idaho, the county window is 60 days from its notice, then the money moves to the State Treasurer, where you can still claim it. In Mississippi, the money can be claimed during a two-year window that starts once the redemption period ends. Deadlines differ by state and sometimes by county, and they can change. The free guide has more detail, and the office holding the money can tell you the exact date for your case.

Often, yes. Heirs or the estate's personal representative may be entitled to the money. The county will usually ask for a death certificate and proof of who has authority to act for the estate. These claims take more paperwork, and that's where many families ask us for help. If a court filing is needed, we'll refer you to an attorney you hire directly.

You don't have to, and plenty of people don't. Some people would rather not deal with forms, notaries, phone calls to the county and deadlines, or they're sorting out a relative's estate and have enough on their plate. If that's you, we can take it on. If not, the free guide is yours to use.

Right now, Alaska, Idaho and Mississippi. We may add more states later, working with licensed partners where a state requires it. The free links on this site and on Unclaimed.org work no matter where you live.

No. For federal programs like IRS refunds, savings bonds, FHA refunds and PBGC pensions, we only point you to the official agency, and that help is always free. You claim directly with the agency.

Surplus funds (excess proceeds) are left over from a tax or foreclosure sale and are held by the county. Unclaimed property is money like old bank accounts and uncashed checks held by the state treasurer.

Kootenai County, Idaho publishes a list of county checks that were issued but never cashed. If your name is on it, you can claim the money from the County, or from the Idaho State Treasurer after it is transferred.