To claim unclaimed money in Maryland, search the Comptroller’s free database at claimitmd.gov, then file a claim online or by mail with a photo ID and proof of your Social Security number. There is no fee and no deadline. Most complete claims are processed in about eight weeks.1Comptroller of Maryland. Unclaimed Property Homepage
Search the Database First
Go to the Comptroller of Maryland’s unclaimed property site and search your name, a former name, or a business name. Adding a last known address helps narrow the results. A match will show the owner’s name, last known address, who reported the property, and a claim number you’ll use to file.1Comptroller of Maryland. Unclaimed Property Homepage
Run a second search on MissingMoney.com, the free national database run by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. Most states participate, so one search there can flag money owed to you in other states where you’ve lived or worked.2National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators
Documents You’ll Need
Every claim requires three things: a completed claim form, a copy of a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license, and proof of your Social Security number, usually a copy of the card. Businesses submit a W-9 in place of the Social Security card.3Comptroller of Maryland. How to Claim Property – How to Complete
If your current address doesn’t match the one on the listing, include proof of residency such as a recent utility bill. The Comptroller may request more documentation after reviewing your submission, so expect the possibility of a follow-up letter.
Claiming for Someone Who Has Died
You’ll need a copy of the death certificate and legal documents showing your right to the assets, such as letters of administration, a probate court order, or a small estate affidavit. The Comptroller may also ask for proof of your relationship to the deceased, like a birth or marriage certificate.
Claiming for a Minor
A parent or legal guardian can file for a child’s property. Bring the child’s birth certificate showing the parent’s name, the child’s Social Security number, and the guardian’s own ID. If the child has already turned 18, they generally need to file for themselves.
File Online or by Mail
The Comptroller encourages filing through the online system, where you can search, submit the claim, and upload scanned documents in one place.4Comptroller of Maryland. How to Claim Property – How to Submit You’ll need a Maryland OneStop account to reach the online form.5Maryland OneStop. Unclaimed Property Claim Form and Checklist Details
To file by mail, download the claim form, complete it, and send it with copies of all required documents to:
Comptroller of Maryland
Unclaimed Property Division
301 W. Preston St., Room 310
Baltimore, MD 212016Comptroller of Maryland. Comptroller Lierman Announces Faster, Easier Online Process to Claim Unclaimed Property
Make sure every copy is legible. Blurry scans and faded photocopies are one of the most common reasons a claim gets sent back for more information.
What Happens After You File
The Unclaimed Property Division verifies your identity and confirms you’re the rightful owner. The Comptroller has said processing can take up to eight weeks for a complete claim; if you haven’t received a decision in 60 to 90 business days, check your claim status online.1Comptroller of Maryland. Unclaimed Property Homepage Incomplete claims take longer.
Approved claims are paid by check for the full amount reported. Maryland charges no fees for searching or claiming property.6Comptroller of Maryland. Comptroller Lierman Announces Faster, Easier Online Process to Claim Unclaimed Property The state does not pay interest on funds it held, so you get the original amount that was turned over.
Questions on a pending claim go to the Unclaimed Property Division by email at unclaim@marylandtaxes.gov, by phone at 410-767-1700, or toll-free at 800-782-7383.7Comptroller of Maryland. Contact Us Page – Unclaimed Property
If Your Claim Is Denied
You can appeal a denial by requesting an informal hearing through the Comptroller’s Online Hearing Appeal Request System. File within 30 days of the date on the denial notice, and be ready to enter your name, address, contact information, and any account or notice numbers.8Comptroller of Maryland. Online Hearing Request Help
A confirmation number doesn’t mean the appeal has been accepted. The Hearings and Appeals section reviews the request and contacts you about next steps. The online system doesn’t accept attachments, so supporting documents go by email to cdhearings@marylandtaxes.gov or to the address on your denial notice. For questions, call the Hearings and Appeals section at 410-767-1572.
Taxes on Property You Recover
Getting back a forgotten bank balance or an uncashed paycheck is generally a return of your own money, not new income, so the principal doesn’t create a new tax bill.
Retirement accounts are different. If a traditional IRA or 401(k) was escheated, the IRS treats the transfer as a taxable distribution. Under Revenue Ruling 2018-17, the account custodian must withhold 10 percent for federal income tax and issue a Form 1099-R before sending the funds to the state, so you may owe income tax on the distribution even though you didn’t choose to withdraw. Roth IRA contributions that were already taxed come back tax-free, but any untaxed earnings remain taxable.
If the original holder or the state paid interest on your property while holding it, that interest is taxable and should be reported. You’d typically receive a Form 1099-INT if it exceeds the IRS reporting threshold.
Skip the Locator Services
You may get a letter from a company offering to recover unclaimed property in exchange for a percentage. These locators or finders are legal, but they charge for something you can do yourself for free in about 15 minutes.
Maryland doesn’t cap the fees locators can charge, and some agreements ask for 10 to 30 percent or more. Before signing anything, search the Comptroller’s database yourself. If a locator has contacted you, that usually means your property is already sitting in the state’s system waiting for you to claim it directly. The search tool and the claim process are free.1Comptroller of Maryland. Unclaimed Property Homepage