You can claim it yourself, no finder needed

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

Who holds it: Board of county commissioners and county treasurer of the county that sold the tax-deeded property. With the State Treasurer's consent, the county may send the funds to the Idaho State Treasurer.

How long: Lienholders and other parties in interest (a recorded mortgage, deed of trust, lien, lease or purchase contract) must respond within 60 days of receiving the board of county commissioners' notice, which it sends within 30 days after the sale; responses postmarked or received after the 60th day are not accepted. The owner of record when the tax deed issued is paid what is left after them, or claims it from the State Treasurer if the county sent it there, with no deadline.

How you claim: Contact the county treasurer and answer the county's excess-proceeds notice in writing; lienholders and other parties in interest must do so within 60 days. If the county already sent the money to the State Treasurer, file a claim at yourmoney.idaho.gov.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

1. Watch for the county's notice of the sale and the excess amount, sent within 30 days after the sale.
2. Send the county your written claim. A lienholder or other party in interest must send it within 60 days of receiving the notice (late responses are refused); the owner of record has no such deadline.
3. Lienholders and other parties in interest are paid first; the owner(s) of record when the tax deed issued get the rest.
4. If the funds went to the State Treasurer, search and claim at yourmoney.idaho.gov.

Documents

• Written claim responding to the county's notice

What it costs you

No filing fee found; the county deducts its costs of handling the refund

If someone offers to do it for you

• Fee limits: Not researched yet — ask the clerk.
• You never need to pay anyone to file.

Official links

• Idaho Code §31-808: https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title31/T31CH8/SECT31-808/
• Canyon County – tax deed excess proceeds: https://www.canyoncounty.id.gov/?p=1802
• Cassia County – Excess Funds: https://www.cassia.gov/Excess-Funds
• Idaho Unclaimed Property (State Treasurer): https://yourmoney.idaho.gov/