COVID-19 & Unclaimed Property Filing

By Corky Cootes

We hope that everyone is staying safe and sane during this terrible pandemic. FSI acted quickly to ensure the safety of our team, and though we have been working from home since mid-March, our level of service remains undiminished.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, many state unclaimed property departments have closed. Some are still operating as normal remotely, while others have limited their hours, or are only accepting inquiries by email. Others have even extended their spring filing deadlines.

As of now, California, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, and New Jersey have officially extended their deadlines. Other states may be added to this list as time goes by:

  • California – deadline extended to 8/15/2020
  • Massachusetts – deadline extended to 7/1/2020
  • Maryland – deadline extended to 7/31/2020
  • Nevada – deadline extended to 6/1/2020
  • North Carolina – deadline extended to 6/1/2020
  • New Jersey – deadline extended to 6/30/2020

While Pennsylvania has not extended their deadline, all fines, penalties, and interest will be waived as long as the holder submits their report by June 15, 2020. Similarly, in Illinois, interest and late-filing penalties will be waived for up to 60 days after the end of their emergency declaration.

Many other states have indicated that they will grant extensions to holders that are unable to file on time due to COVID-19. If you need more time, fill out a holder extension request, or email the state unclaimed property department for more information.

Here are a few states that have confirmed that they will accept extensions for COVID-19:

  • Connecticut – email CTHolderReport@ct.gov for information
  • Florida – email EReporting@MyFloridaCFO.com
  • Georgia – email Farrah.Harper@DOR.GA.GOV with company name, FEIN, reason for extension, and desired date of submission.
  • Kansas – email extension request form to KSHolder@treasurer.ks.gov. All requests will be approved.
  • Missouri – email UCP@treasurer.mo.gov
  • Virginia – send a completed “Request for Extension” form to Report.Remit@trs.virginia.gov.
  • Vermont – email TRE.UPCompliance@vermont.gov

Finally, Oklahoma and Vermont have waived their notarized signature requirement. Connecticut normally requires a cover sheet to be executed by a company officer, but if that is impossible, they will still accept the report at this time. The form can also be sent to CTHolderReport@ct.gov instead of being mailed in.