As tax season looms and Hoosiers reflect on life’s certainties, Attorney General Todd Rokita and Indiana’s favorite ghoul, Sammy Terry, are reminding residents that while death and taxes may be inevitable, losing your hard-earned money to the state doesn’t have to be one of them.
“There are two things guaranteed in life – death and taxes,” Sammy Terry said. “Death can be painful, but paying your taxes doesn’t have to be with a little extra cash in your pocket from Indiana Unclaimed.”
Attorney General Rokita invites all Hoosiers to text SAMMY to 46220 to see if they can re-claim forgotten treasures from the state’s Unclaimed Property Division.
“They say nothing is certain but death and taxes, but I’d add a third: Hoosiers deserve what’s rightfully theirs,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Whether it’s money left behind after a loved one’s passing or funds lost to the taxman’s oversight, our office is here to reunite you with your property — before it’s gone for good.”
In Indiana, unlike any other state, the Attorney General oversees this program, ensuring these assets find their way back to their rightful owners.
Examples of potential unclaimed property include:
- Unclaimed wages or commissions
- Money orders
- Safety deposit box contents
- Savings and checking accounts
- Refunds
- Overpayments such as:
- Credit card balances
- Cell phone bills
- BMV payments
Here’s how to make sure your property doesn’t go unclaimed:
- Keep a record of all bank accounts.
- Record all stock certificates and be sure to cash all dividends received.
- Record all utility deposits, including telephone, cable, and electricity deposits.
- Cash all checks promptly.
Hoosiers have 25 years to claim their money once it’s reported to the Unclaimed Property Division, and the process is free, fast and secure. With tax deadlines fresh in mind this April, Attorney General Rokita encourages families to search not just for themselves but also for businesses, deceased relatives and anyone else. Physical items from dormant safe deposit boxes — like jewelry or heirlooms — are also held, though they may be auctioned after three years if unclaimed.
