Opens in a new tab

Does Idaho have your assets?

June 29, 2007

If it does, you better get in touch with state tax officials ASAP. On July 1, Idaho might be able to keep your cash!

Or your stocks, bonds, mutual funds, bank accounts, uncashed payroll checks, utility deposits, traveler’s checks, contents from
deposit boxes and other valuable items.

Those are they types of assets that the Idaho Tax Commission, which is the official overseer of the state’s unclaimed property, says it collects every year.

Hand_holding_money_2
The Gem State began 2007 with more than
$16 million in unclaimed money in its treasury. The assets end up under state control, say tax officials, because people didn’t know they had them or just forgot about them.

Most states typically hang onto unclaimed property indefinitely, allowing owners to claim it when they finally discover the missing loot. And that’s what Idaho used to do.

But in 1997, state law was changed regarding forgotten property. Now the Idaho treasury gets to keep assets that have been in the unclaimed coffer for 10 years or longer. That first decade deadline arrives on Sunday, meaning owners and their heirs will lose all rights to the unclaimed property as of that day.

So if you think you have some money or other valuables in Idaho, act fast!

You can search the state’s online unclaimed property list or call tax officials at 334-7623 if you’re in the Boise area or, if elsewhere in the state or nation, toll-free at (800) 972-7660, ext. 7623.

More money elsewhere: While Idaho has an imminent deadline for claiming overlooked assets, every state has its own unclaimed property stash. Last year, my sister-in-law got a nice little payout from the State of Texas on an old stock she didn’t even realize she owned.

As in Idaho, the state tax office usually handles these assets. This Federation of Tax Administrator’s clickable map will get you to your state’s tax department Web site.

If you want outside help finding missing assets, try the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators Web site. The NAUPA is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the National Association of State Treasurers.

Share:

The More Tax Posts tab at the top of this page will take you to, well, more tax posts. You also can search below for a tax topic. 

Latest Posts
Tax policy possibilities under a coming Democratic Congress

November 4, 2026

Thanks to Nov. 3 midterm election wins Democrats will control both the House and Senate…

Read More
TAX-SAVVY WAYS 
TO WRAP UP 2026

It’s over! With October’s extended filing deadline behind us, it is now time to focus on year-end moves to reduce your 2026 tax bill. 

You’ll find ways to do just that on the Tax Tips page (see the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of the blog), as well as the separate tax tip pages for each month, notably October through December. If you’re on the Tax Tips page, you’ll find a monthly list at the end of this column. If you’re on another blog page, you can head straight to the October tips; at the bottom of that tips page you’ll find links to all the other 11 months’ collections of tax advice.

Not to spoil what you’ll find in that tax advice, but it does cover such things as tax deductions for charitable donations, investment moves that could reduce tax due, and ways to max out your tax-favored retirement savings. 

Finally, as the year winds down, things get hectic. There are lots of other things to occupy our time, like the much more fun upcoming holidays. But don’t lose sight of taxes, since timing is key. To be of use, most tax moves must be made by the end of the tax year. That’s Thursday, Dec. 31, which also is the last business day of the year. 

So that you don’t miss that final tax year deadline, also keep an eye on the countdown clock below. It will keep you on top of just how much time is left to make important, tax-saving moves. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

Comments
Leave the first comment