TAXING MATTERS
CHERYL E . JOHNSON , PCC , CTOP Galveston County Tax Assessor Collector
STAKE YOUR CLAIM
More than $ 4 billion in unclaimed funds sit in the Comptroller of Public Accounts ’ bank account waiting for Texans to claim it . The unclaimed property program , started in 1962 , has returned more than $ 2B since its inception . These funds could be from abandoned bank accounts and safe deposit boxes , uncashed refunds , forgotten utility deposits , mineral royalties , insurance proceeds and an assortment of other sources .
The Galveston County Tax Office has worked aggressively over the last three years locating owners of old uncashed property tax and motor vehicle refunds beginning with over $ 300,000 dating back to 2004 . After an exhaustive search , and distribution of nearly two thirds to the rightful owners , we eventually escheated the balance to the County Treasurer or Comptroller depending on the amount . Those funds less than $ 100 were sent to the Treasurer ’ s Office and those above $ 100 to the Texas Comptroller . All in all we returned far more than was escheated and , as of October , we are left with $ 1,800 belonging to 52 businesses and individuals .
Staking a claim locally from the County Treasurer or the County Tax Office is far less complex than completing the Texas Comptroller requirements ( ClaimItTexas . org ), but all are well worth the effort . While writing this article I located nearly $ 100 belonging to one of my family manners in minutes ! For the state search , the more information you enter , the better the results however , if you are willing to scan through a list , just enter your name and the name of each city you have lived in to obtain the greatest number of results .
Searching the Galveston County Tax Office listing is much easier – simply click on the link above ( or visit www . galcotax . com then click on the Unclaimed Refunds link ). Details on how to claim the different types of refunds is included and two pdf file listings are posted at the bottom of the page . Open them and search first for your city then name .
Although we are best known for taking your money , returning it to you when too much is sent in error is just as important to us ! Make the coming holidays brighter … find money due you today then STAKE A CLAIM .
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