Santa Clara County Unclaimed Property

Santa Clara County unclaimed money comes from two main sources. The Santa Clara County Department of Tax and Collections maintains searchable databases for unclaimed property tax refunds. The California State Controller operates the primary database for property from businesses across the county. Silicon Valley tech companies, San Jose employers, and financial institutions throughout Santa Clara County report unclaimed property to the state each year. The county runs its own programs for property tax overpayments, reduced assessments, and duplicate payments. You should search both systems because they do not share information. The state database holds billions statewide while the county focuses on tax-related funds. Former residents of San Jose, Sunnyvale, and other county cities often find forgotten accounts when they search both systems. Current property owners may discover tax refunds they never knew existed.

Santa Clara County Property Tax Programs

Santa Clara County operates extensive unclaimed property tax programs through the Department of Tax and Collections. The county maintains online searchable databases for unclaimed property tax refunds. These refunds come from reduced assessments, overpayments, duplicate payments, and other property tax corrections.

Property tax refunds occur for several reasons. Assessment appeals may lower your tax bill and generate a refund. Supplemental tax bills sometimes get paid twice by mistake. Escrow accounts may overpay taxes. All of these situations create refunds. The county mails checks to property owners. If the check is not cashed, it becomes unclaimed.

The county provides an online search tool to find unclaimed property tax refunds. Search by your name or property address. The database shows the refund amount and the tax year. If you find a refund that belongs to you, contact the Department of Tax and Collections to file a claim. You will need to prove you owned the property or were the taxpayer at the time of the refund.

There is no fee to claim county property tax refunds. File your claim directly with the county. This is separate from the state controller system. Do not send county tax refund claims to the state. Make sure you know where the property is held before filing.

Note: Property tax refunds typically require proof of property ownership or tax payment records.

State Controller Unclaimed Property

Most Santa Clara County unclaimed property goes to the California State Controller. Banks in San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Santa Clara report dormant accounts. Tech companies throughout Silicon Valley turn over uncashed paychecks and stock distributions. Insurance companies send policy proceeds when beneficiaries cannot be located. All of this sits in the state database until claimed.

Search for free at the state controller property search database. Enter your name or a business name. The system shows property type and estimated value. Click on any property that belongs to you to start a claim. Many claims can be completed entirely online.

Santa Clara County has the highest concentration of tech workers in California. The mobile workforce means people frequently change jobs and move. When they leave, they sometimes forget about stock options, final paychecks, or bank accounts. Employers must report uncashed wages after one year. Banks report dormant accounts after three years.

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

Call (800) 992-4647 with questions about state-held property. The state controller processes all claims for free. Do not pay an asset locator or heir finder. They can charge up to 10 percent. You do not need them. File directly at no cost.

How to File a Claim

Start by searching at the California State Controller unclaimed property page. Enter your name or the name of a deceased relative. If you find property, follow the instructions on screen. Some claims are approved instantly. Others require mailed documents.

You must prove ownership. For claims under $1,000, you may only need your name, address, and Social Security number. Claims of $1,000 or more require notarization. If claiming for a deceased person, you need a death certificate and proof of heirship. Business claims require incorporation documents or tax ID verification.

The Claim Affirmation Form is generated from your search results. Additional forms are available at the state controller claim filing page. Heirs claiming a small estate may use a Declaration Under Probate Code 13101. Multiple heirs use a Table of Heirship form.

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. Most claims are decided within 180 days. Simple cash claims may be approved in 30 to 60 days.

For Santa Clara County property tax refunds, search the county database first. If you find a refund, contact the Department of Tax and Collections. The county has its own claim forms and procedures separate from the state. Do not mail county tax refund claims to the state controller.

Types of Unclaimed Property

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. Santa Clara County has many banks and credit unions. Thousands of tech workers and residents have accounts that sit dormant each year.

Uncashed paychecks and stock options make up a large portion of unclaimed wages. Silicon Valley companies offer stock compensation to employees. When someone leaves a job, they may forget about unvested shares or final distributions. Employers must report uncashed wages after one year. Stock dividends also become unclaimed when shareholders do not update their addresses.

Life insurance policies often generate unclaimed property. The policyholder dies and beneficiaries do not know about the policy. The insurance company tries to locate them but fails. After a period of dormancy, the proceeds go to the state. Santa Clara County residents should search for life insurance if a relative died.

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 intellectual property
• Safe deposit box contents
• Matured savings bonds and CDs

Santa Clara County also holds property tax refunds. These result from reduced assessments, overpayments, or duplicate payments. Search the county database for tax refunds and the state database for all other property types.

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 handle dormant property and unclaimed funds. It applies statewide including in Santa Clara County.

Holders of unclaimed property must file annual reports with the state controller. Most businesses file by November 1. Life insurance companies file by May 1. Before turning property over to the state, holders must try to contact the owner. Section 1530 requires written notice to the owner's last known address at least six months before reporting.

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 ten years, you receive the original amount only.

Businesses that fail to comply face penalties. Willful violations are misdemeanors under sections 1576 and 1577. Late delivery of property triggers a 12 percent annual interest penalty. These rules encourage Santa Clara County businesses to report property on time.

County-held funds operate under Government Code sections 50050 through 50057. These sections cover unclaimed money held by cities, counties, and local agencies. Santa Clara County maintains searchable databases for property tax refunds separate from the state system.

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 Santa Clara County property tax refunds, search the online database first. Contact the Department of Tax and Collections for questions about county-held property tax refunds. The office is located in San Jose.

Other Unclaimed Money Programs

Several other agencies hold unclaimed money for California residents. CalPERS manages unclaimed retirement benefits for public employees. If you worked for Santa Clara County government, a school district, or another public agency, you may have unclaimed pension funds. Call (888) 225-7377 to search.

CalSTRS holds unclaimed property for teachers. Santa Clara County has many 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 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. After that, you must request a replacement.

The California Employment Development Department holds unclaimed unemployment and disability benefits. File a claim using form DE 903SD. Call (800) 300-5616 for unemployment 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. All of these programs are separate from the state controller and county.

Major Cities in Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County includes San Jose, the largest city in Northern California. Sunnyvale and Santa Clara also have populations over 100,000. Residents of all Santa Clara County cities can have unclaimed property held by the state or county. The state controller database covers all California cities. The county property tax program serves all county residents.

Other cities in Santa Clara County include Mountain View, Palo Alto, Milpitas, Cupertino, and Campbell. All residents of these cities should search for unclaimed property at both the state and county level.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Santa Clara 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.