$500,000+ county unclaimed refund list is released

SAN DIEGO – San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister is reminding San Diegans to go online now to find out if they are owed part of $543,171 in unclaimed money before it is rolled into the County General Fund.

“Summer’s winding down and the holidays will be here before we know it; I’m sure people can use extra money,” McAllister said. “If you have done business with the county in the last three years, including paying property taxes, you could be on the Unclaimed Monies list.”

Each year, the Treasurer-Tax Collector and other county departments have thousands of dollars that are owed to taxpayers. This usually results from warrants/checks that are undeliverable by the postal service. Refunds-owed could be a result of overpaid taxes or instances in which individuals and organizations are doing business with or receiving county services.

After several years of no claim being received, the funds are escheated. While the county works to return these monies to the rightful owner, some refunds remain unclaimed.   

“My staff and I are working hard to return this money to the citizens of San Diego,” said McAllister. “The average refund is $998.76, and that can go a long way for those who are the rightful owners and who need it.”   

To view a list of the 1,056 unclaimed refunds, go to Treasurer-Tax Collector’s website. Alternatively, hard copies of the list are available at any one of the following Treasurer-Tax Collector office locations:  

• Main Office – County Administration Center: 1600 Pacific Hwy, Rm 162, San Diego, CA 92101 

• Chula Vista Branch Office: 590 Third Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910 

• East County Branch Office: 10144 Mission Gorge Rd, Santee, CA 92071 

• San Marcos Branch Office: 141 E Carmel St, San Marcos, CA 92078 

• Kearny Mesa Branch Office: 9225 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92123 

Follow the instructions on the unclaimed money page of the website to file a refund claim by Sept. 21, 2023, before the money is rolled into the county’s general fund.  

Claims can also be emailed to [email protected], or call 1-877-829-4732 for more information. Anyone can sign up to receive emails when new unclaimed money lists are posted.  

“We want all of this money returned to San Diegans, so please tell your friends and family to go to sdttc.com to check the unclaimed money list,” said McAllister. The smallest refund amount available is $15.13, and the largest refund amount is $41,491.24. 

Every year, the Treasurer-Tax Collector makes a strong effort to reunite San Diegans with money they have overpaid on taxes or fees. Current state law says countywide money that is unclaimed for three years and property tax refunds that are unclaimed for four years must be turned over to the county’s general fund.  

Submitted by San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office.