How To Find Money Owed From Property Tax Auction

The Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office has many refunds to return to San Diegans! Search for your name on this list. If you find it, make note of the refund type and scroll down to find instructions on how to claim it.

Filing a Claim

The County has multiple types of refunds to return. Click the refund type you'd like to claim and follow the instructions to fill out a claim form and return it to the Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office.

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File Unclaimed Property Tax Form

STEP 1

Find your name or parcel/bill number on the Unclaimed Property Tax Refund list above.

STEP 2

Fill out the Unclaimed Property Tax Refund Claim Form. Detailed instructions and information are included with the form.

You must SIGN the claim form or your claim will be returned. Make sure you have read the instructions and made copies of all required documents.

STEP 3

After completing and signing the claim form, email it to refunds@sdcounty.ca.gov or mail it to:
San Diego County Treasurer Tax Collector
ATTN: Financial Division/Property Tax Refund Claim
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 162
San Diego, CA 92101

If you have any questions regarding an unclaimed property tax refund please call (619) 531-5813 for further assistance.

Deadlines

Any property tax refund that remains unclaimed for four years may be turned over to the County's General Fund, according to state law. Before the money is transferred, we try to give people one last chance to claim it.

File Unclaimed Estates Form

Filing a Claim

To claim money, fill out an Estates of Deceased Claim Form and submit it to our office.

With the form, you must include documents and records that prove your relationship to the decedent, as well as a copy of the decedent's will (if any) and a copy of the decedent's death certificate. We cannot process any claims within 40 days of the decedent's death.

Send the completed claim form and related documents to the following address:

refunds@sdcounty.ca.gov

San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector
Attn: Estates of Deceased Claims
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 162
San Diego, CA 92101-2475

We review all claim forms carefully. If you do not submit the correct documents, our office will return all documents to you with a letter explaining why the claim was denied. Please allow 4-6 weeks of processing time.

Submitting a Deposit

To submit Estates of Deceased proceeds:

Make check payable to SDCTTC.
Include a letter with your contact information, the name of the decedent, the name of the heir if known, the amount per heir (if one check is for multiple heirs), the nature of the property (e.g. court order for distribution showing heir's share and probate case #), and any documentation that may assist in identifying the rightful owner.Note that all provided documentation becomes public record, except for confidential information like social security numbers and personal addresses (which will be redacted).
If you would like a receipt, enclose a receipt for us to sign and return.

Deadlines

If any estates with known heirs remain in the Treasury for more than one year, that money must be transferred to the State Controller's Office, according to state law.

Any estates without known heirs that remain in the Treasury for more than three years will be turned over to the County's general fund. Before the money is transferred, we try to give people one last chance to claim it.

Every summer, our office publishes a list of items over $15 in a county-wide newspaper. We then give people 45-60 days to file a claim. After the money becomes the County's property, it can no longer be claimed.

File Abandoned Property Claim Form

Filing a Claim

If you believe you are owed money on the list, fill out an Abandoned Property Claim Form and submit it to our office.

With the form, you must include documents that prove your identity.

Individuals

A copy of current photo identification for each claimant.
Verification of address if your mailing address if different from original mailing address or photo identification.

Business

Copy of current photo identification for the authorized agent signing the form.
Letter of Authorization on company letterhead with the names of officers or officials with authority to sign and claim on behalf of the business.
If your company merged with another company, a copy of the merger agreement.
If your company was dissolved, a copy of the articles of dissolution.

Return the completed form and supporting documentation to:

refunds@sdcounty.ca.gov

San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector
*Attn: Abandoned Property Claims
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 162
San Diego, CA 92101-2475

Get notified every time a new refund list is published by signing up for our "Unclaimed Money" email list.

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