The Ventura County Auditor-Controller is pleased to announce a new webpage for Unclaimed Property Tax Refunds: https://www.ventura.org/auditor-controllers-office/unclaimed-property-tax-refunds . Taxpayers can access a listing of unclaimed property tax refunds and instructions on how to file a claim for a refund.
Property tax refunds generally result from reassessment of property. Unclaimed property tax refunds consist of checks that remain un-cashed for a period of more than six months. Reasonable and diligent efforts have been made to notify taxpayers of their refund.
“Often checks are returned undeliverable by the postal service because the payee has moved and does not leave a forwarding address, or the forwarding order has expired,” said Auditor-Controller Jeff Burgh. “If property tax refunds remain unclaimed for more than four years, they may be transferred to the county general fund on order of the Board of Supervisors.”
The transfer of funds is called escheatment and, while escheatment is the legal alternative, the Auditor-Controller’s primary goal is to return refunds to their rightful owner.
All property tax payers are encouraged to search the lists to determine whether they may be entitled to a refund. Claims for funds must be postmarked by November 29, 2018, in order to avoid escheatment to the county general fund. After this date, refunds left unclaimed will become property of the County and can no longer be claimed.
In addition to the webpage, people seeking a refund for unclaimed property taxes can visit the Auditor-Controller’s office in the Hall of Administration at the County Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura, or call (805) 654-3182.
