Find Napa County Unclaimed Funds

Napa County unclaimed money exists in two main systems. The Napa County Auditor-Controller holds unclaimed property tax refund funds. The California State Controller maintains the primary database for unclaimed property from banks, employers, and insurers throughout the county. Wine country businesses, Napa employers, and financial institutions all report dormant property to the state each year. The county auditor manages a separate account specifically for property tax refunds that went unclaimed. Many residents do not realize they need to check both databases. The state system handles most unclaimed property types while the county focuses on tax-related funds. Search both systems because they do not share information with each other. Former residents of Napa often discover property they left behind when they moved to other parts of California or out of state.

Napa County Property Tax Refunds

The Napa County Auditor-Controller maintains a Property Tax Refund Account for unclaimed funds. This account holds money from property tax overpayments, duplicate payments, and assessment corrections. When the county issues a refund check and the property owner does not cash it, the funds eventually go into this account.

Property tax refunds can occur for several reasons. Assessment appeals may reduce your tax bill. Supplemental tax bills sometimes get paid twice. Escrow accounts may overpay and generate a refund. All of these refunds are mailed to the property owner at their last known address. If the check is not cashed within a certain time, it becomes unclaimed.

Contact the Napa County Auditor-Controller at 707-253-4577 to check for unclaimed property tax refunds. The office can search by your name or property address. You will need to prove ownership of the property or show that you were the owner at the time of the refund. Bring identification and property tax records if available.

This program is different from the state controller database. The county auditor handles only property tax refunds. The state controller manages all other types of unclaimed property. You should check both systems to find all money that belongs to you.

State Controller Unclaimed Property

Most Napa County unclaimed property goes to the California State Controller. Banks in Napa report dormant accounts after three years of inactivity. Wineries and hospitality employers turn over uncashed paychecks. Insurance companies send policy proceeds when beneficiaries cannot be located. All of this property sits in the state database until someone files a claim.

Search for free at the state controller property search database. Enter your name or a business name. The system displays the property type, the holder who reported it, and an approximate value. Click on any property that belongs to you to begin the claim process. Many claims can be completed online.

Napa County has a large tourism and hospitality industry. Hotel workers, restaurant staff, and winery employees often move for new opportunities. Final paychecks and commissions may go unclaimed. Employers must report these wages to the state after one year of dormancy. Even small amounts add up over time.

Different property types have different dormancy periods under Code of Civil Procedure section 1513. Bank accounts are reportable after three years. Wages after one year. Money orders after seven years. Once property reaches the state, there is no deadline to claim it. Property reported decades ago is still available to rightful owners.

The state controller processes all claims for free. Call (800) 992-4647 with questions during business hours. Do not pay someone to file a claim for you. Asset locators and heir finders may charge up to 10 percent of the property value. You do not need them. File directly with the state at no cost.

Note: The state never pays interest on unclaimed property, so claim funds as soon as you find them.

Filing a Claim

Start by searching for your property. Go to the California State Controller unclaimed property page and enter your name. If you find property, follow the instructions on the screen. Some claims are approved instantly. Others require mailed documents.

You must prove you own the property. For claims under $1,000, you may only need your name, address, and Social Security number. Claims of $1,000 or more require notarization. This protects against fraud. If you are claiming property that belonged to a deceased person, you need a death certificate and proof of your relationship as an heir.

Businesses claiming property need incorporation documents or a tax ID. The claim form is called a Claim Affirmation Form and is generated from your search results. Additional forms may be needed depending on the property type. View all forms and instructions at the state controller claim filing page.

Mail completed forms to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. You can also visit the public counter at 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 during business hours. This office answers questions and accepts claim forms in person.

Most claims are decided within 180 days. Simple claims may be approved in 30 to 60 days. Complex claims with multiple heirs or securities take longer. The state will contact you if additional documentation is needed. Keep copies of everything you submit.

For Napa County property tax refunds, contact the county auditor at 707-253-4577. This is a separate process from the state. Do not mail county claim forms to the state controller. Know where your property is held before you file.

Common Property Types

Bank accounts are the most common form of unclaimed property. Checking accounts, savings accounts, and credit union deposits become dormant after three years of no activity. Banks in Napa try to contact the owner. If they cannot reach you, they report the account to the state. Even small balances must be reported.

Uncashed paychecks make up a large portion of unclaimed wages. Napa County has many seasonal workers in agriculture and tourism. When someone leaves a job and moves away, their final paycheck may go unclaimed. Employers must report unpaid wages after one year. This includes regular pay, bonuses, and commissions.

Insurance policies often generate unclaimed property. A policyholder dies and the beneficiary does not know about the policy. The insurance company tries to locate the beneficiary but fails. After a period of time, the proceeds go to the state. Napa residents should search for life insurance if a relative died and may have left policies.

Other common types include:

• Stock dividends and mutual fund distributions
• Utility deposits from PG&E or local providers
• Escrow funds from real estate transactions
• Court deposits and legal settlements
• Royalties from mineral rights or intellectual property
• Safe deposit box contents
• Matured savings bonds and certificates of deposit

Napa County property tax refunds are a unique category. These result from overpayments or reduced assessments. The county auditor holds these funds separately from the state system. If you owned property in Napa County and received a tax refund you did not cash, check with the auditor's office.

California Unclaimed Property Law

The California Unclaimed Property Law is found in Code of Civil Procedure sections 1500 through 1582. This statute governs how businesses and institutions handle dormant accounts and unclaimed funds. It applies statewide including in Napa County.

Holders of unclaimed property must file annual reports. Most businesses file by November 1. Life insurance companies file by May 1. Before sending property to the state, holders must send written notice to the owner's last known address. Section 1530 requires this notice at least six months before the property is reported. This gives owners a chance to claim property before it goes to the state.

The state controller decides claims under section 1540. Most claims are decided within 180 days. No interest is paid on unclaimed property. If the state held your money for five years, you receive the original amount only. Inflation reduces the real value over time.

Businesses that fail to comply face penalties. Willful violations are misdemeanors under sections 1576 and 1577. Late delivery of property results in a 12 percent annual interest penalty. These rules encourage compliance and timely reporting.

County-held funds operate under Government Code sections 50050 through 50057. These sections cover unclaimed money held by cities, counties, and local agencies. Funds held for three years can escheat to the county general fund after publication. This differs from state-held property, which remains claimable forever.

Contact Information

For California State Controller unclaimed property, call (800) 992-4647. This toll-free number operates during business hours. From outside the United States, call (916) 323-2827. You can submit questions through the state controller online contact form.

Mail claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. For in-person visits or overnight mail, use 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. The public counter is open during normal business hours.

For Napa County property tax refunds and county-held funds, contact the Auditor-Controller at 707-253-4577. The office is located in Napa. Visit during regular hours to ask questions or file a claim for county-held property tax refunds.

Other Unclaimed Money Programs

Several state agencies hold unclaimed money separate from the state controller. CalPERS manages unclaimed retirement benefits for public employees. If you worked for Napa County government or a school district, you may have unclaimed pension funds. Call (888) 225-7377 to search.

CalSTRS holds unclaimed property for teachers and school employees. Napa County has several school districts. Former teachers may have retirement accounts waiting. Call (800) 228-5453 for assistance.

The California Department of Insurance offers a Life Insurance Policy Locator service. This national database helps find policies when you do not know the insurance company. The consumer hotline is (800) 927-4357.

For unclaimed state tax refunds, contact the California Franchise Tax Board at (800) 852-5711. Refund checks are valid for six months from the issue date. After that, you must request a new check.

The California Employment Development Department holds unclaimed unemployment and disability benefits. File a claim using form DE 903SD. There is no fee. Call (800) 300-5616 for unemployment insurance or (800) 480-3287 for disability insurance.

The Department of Industrial Relations operates an Unpaid Wage Fund for workers owed money by employers. Call (833) 526-4636 to check. These programs are separate from the state controller and county auditor, so check each one individually.

Cities in Napa County

Napa County includes the city of Napa, American Canyon, Calistoga, St. Helena, and Yountville. Residents of all Napa County cities can have unclaimed property held by the state or county. The state controller database covers all California cities. The county auditor program handles property tax refunds countywide. No Napa County cities have populations over 100,000.

Search for unclaimed property at both the state and county level regardless of which city you lived in. Wine country workers often move between cities and may have left property in multiple locations.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Napa County. If you lived or worked in multiple counties, search for unclaimed money in each location. The state controller database covers all of California, but county programs are local and require separate searches.