Money Search - Alaska
Alaska Department of Revenue - Tax Division
Unclaimed Property
PO Box 110420
Juneau, AK 99811-0420
The following remains the same:
phone: 907.465.3726
fax: 907.465.2394
email: unclaimed_property@revenue.state.ak.us
There are no changes to reporting requirements.
Welcome to Alaska's Unclaimed Property Program
Have you ever wondered what happens to bank accounts that are never closed but have been inactive for several years? Have you ever wondered if you picked up the utility deposit from your first apartment? Did you receive your last pay check from your summer job in 1990? Can you positively state that you have received and cashed all medical insurance reimbursements throughout the years? If these questions make you wonder, read on to find out if you have unclaimed property somewhere in the United States.
General Dormancy Periods
Alaska's Unclaimed Property Act (AS 34.45) requires businesses (profit and non-profit) and governmental agencies to file unclaimed property reports with the Department of Revenue. However, a negative or zero report is not required in Alaska if a business or governmental agency has no unclaimed property.
Unclaimed property is any intangible amount owed or held by an organization that remains unpaid, uncashed or has no evidence of positive owner activity for an extended period of time. Most property is considered abandoned after three years.
Unclaimed property does not include overpaid contributions by employers to the unemployment compensation fund (see link at right for assistance), real estate, vehicles or most tangible property. Contents of a safe deposit box is the only tangible property that is reportable.
Unclaimed Money includes:
- Bank accounts
- Uncashed checks such as payroll, insurance payments or travelers checks;
- Utility and/or phone company deposits
- Safe deposit box contents
- Insurance proceeds
- Stocks, bonds and mutual funds
- Gift Certificates and Gift Cards
Abandoned property is turned over to the Department of Revenue from many sources including banks, credit unions, corporations, utilities, insurance companies, governmental entities and retailers throughout the United States.
The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators' (NAUPA) web site contains information about each state's unclaimed property laws as well as a listing of other states that have searchable databases. See link at right.
To find out if you have unclaimed property on file with the Department of Revenue, use our searchable database. Don't forget to use the link on the right to check other states unclaimed property databases.
Click here for reports - Click here for forms -
Frequently Asked Questions
Claims::
How do I find out if I have unclaimed property on file with the Department of Revenue?
Browse our Unclaimed Property database. You may also contact us and we will search our database for you. Every year the department publishes the names of unclaimed property owners reported during the previous year.
How do I claim property being held by the state under this program?
Owners may file a claim with the department at any time to claim properties held under the unclaimed property program. Owners must provide identification with the claim.
Reporting:
What are Alaska's dormancy periods? How long do I hold onto property before reporting it to the State of Alaska?
Following are abandonment periods for property commonly reported under the unclaimed property program.
| Type of Property |
Years |
| Safe deposit box contents |
1 |
|
| Utility deposits |
1 |
|
| Wages |
1 |
|
| Life insurance proceeds |
3 |
|
| Customer overpayments |
3 |
|
| Savings/Checking accounts |
5 |
|
| Stocks and bonds |
5 |
|
| Travelers checks |
15 |
|
This is a partial list of property please see reporting forms or statutes for a complete list
As a holder of unclaimed property, when am I required to file reports?
Holders are required to report and remit unclaimed property by November 1 each year. The report should contain items that are unclaimed as of June 30 of each year.
Can I get an extension on the due date of my report?
Yes. Mail or fax your request to us stating why you need the extension and how long of an extension you need.
Once I report property for an owner, what about any future amounts that might accrue for them?
On going payments of such things as dividends, stock or mineral royalties are automatically reportable once the first payment is eligible. In other words, once the first dividend or royalty payment is reported, you do not have to wait another 5 years to report the next payment.
Can I report and deliver property early (before the prescribed dormancy period has elapsed)?
Yes, with prior approval. Please send a request to our office and wait for a formal response.
I am reporting for the first time, what time frame should my first report cover?
Property that would have been presumed abandoned from September 7, 1980 forward.
The Department realizes time restraints may make it difficult to prepare reports back to 1980. We ask holders of unclaimed property to file for as far back as their records permit. First time filers should try to cover at least the last ten years. As a matter of reference, an audit can cover all property back to 1980. Random sampling techniques are often used to create reports where hard copy records are no longer available.
It is important to start reporting on a regular basis. You may want to address prior year records in a separate process.
Do I still have to complete a report if my records are incomplete?
Yes. You should report and remit such amounts as may be reasonably estimated from available records.
