State seeks owners of unclaimed property

The Montana Department of Revenue encourages individuals and businesses to check whether they have money or other unclaimed property that the state has been holding for them.

Over the next few months, the department will be publishing in state newspapers the names of owners of property that has been reported as unclaimed from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017.

Every year in Montana, millions of dollars and other personal assets go unclaimed.

The department receives money from dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks and money orders, insurance policy payments and unused gift certificates, as well as stocks, bonds and the contents from safe deposit boxes. The unclaimed property is held in trust indefinitely for owners to claim.

The newspaper advertisements list owners of unclaimed property with an address in the geographic region served by the publication. For a complete search of all unclaimed property owners, anyone can check online at https://tap.dor.mt.gov/ and use the “Search for Unclaimed Cash” link to look up names. The owner can follow the on-screen instructions to create and submit a claim.

“As the custodian of Montana’s unclaimed property, the department is committed to returning that property to the rightful owners,” Mike Kadas, director of the Montana Department of Revenue, said in a press release. “We encourage all Montanans to look for their names in the paper or go online right now.”

The department advises there are some businesses that offer to help people find their unclaimed property, but they may charge a fee. People do not have to pay to reclaim their own property.

For help with a claim or for more information, visit http://revenue.mt.gov/, call the department at (406) 444-6900 or email UnclaimedProperty@mt.gov.