You can claim it yourself, for free

Checklist: Georgia, money left over after a tax-deed sale

Who holds it: The officer who sold the property: county tax commissioner, tax collector or sheriff

How long: Up to 5 years from the tax sale. Then unclaimed funds go to the Georgia Department of Revenue, and you need a superior court order (interpleader) in the county of the sale to get them.

How you claim: File the county's excess funds claim form, complete and unaltered, with the tax commissioner (or sheriff), with the supporting documents it lists. You can file any time after the sale until the funds are awarded.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

1. Watch for the written excess funds notice, mailed within 30 days of the sale.
2. Get the county's excess funds claim form from the tax commissioner.
3. Return it complete, with the documents listed on the form.
4. If claims conflict, the funds may go to superior court by interpleader for a judge to decide.

Documents

• County excess funds claim form, complete and unaltered
• Supporting documents listed on the form

What it costs you

Not researched yet — ask the clerk

If someone offers to do it for you

• Fee limits: Not researched yet — ask the clerk.
• Any deal must be in writing.
• You never need to pay anyone to file.

Official links

• Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner - Tax sale excess funds: https://www.gwinnetttaxcommissioner.com/property-tax/tax-sale-excess-funds
• Chatham County Tax Commissioner - Excess funds: https://tax.chathamcountyga.gov/ExcessFunds