Business guide · 4 min read
Texas unclaimed property reporting for businesses
Any business or government entity that does business with Texans and owes money it cannot deliver, like an uncashed paycheck, a vendor check, or a customer credit balance, is a "holder" under Texas law. Holders must report and send that property to the Texas Comptroller once it is presumed abandoned. People then search for it and claim it for free at ClaimItTexas.gov. Here are the rules from the Comptroller's How to File page.
| Who reports | Holders: businesses and government entities doing business with Texans (per the Comptroller) |
|---|---|
| Annual cutoff | March 1, for required abandonment periods |
| Owner notices | By mail or email, no later than 60 days before the due date |
| Report and remit deadline | July 1 (next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday) |
| Nothing to report | File a negative report online |
| Keep records | At least 10 years |
| Holder help | up.holder@cpa.texas.gov |
How Texas holder reporting works
- Decide if the property is abandoned. Check whether you have had any contact or business with the owner during the abandonment period. The period depends on the property type, and the Comptroller publishes a list.
- Send due diligence notices. Tell each owner you are holding their property and that you must deliver it to the Comptroller by July 1 if they do not claim it. Send these by mail or email at least 60 days before the due date.
- File the report and remit. Submit the owner information and the money or financial assets online by July 1. Do not report property before its abandonment period ends.
- Keep records. Save your report records for at least 10 years.
Behind on reporting?
The Comptroller offers a Voluntary Disclosure Agreement for unclaimed property. The review is limited to a 10-year lookback, and a company representative can start the request in writing, without naming the company, to the Holder Reporting Section or by email to UP.VDA.requests@cpa.texas.gov. For questions, the Comptroller lists 800-321-2274, option 2.
Looking for your own money in Texas?
This page is for businesses that report. If you want to find money owed to you, see our Texas unclaimed property search guide. It is free on the state's site.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the Texas unclaimed property report due?
July 1 each year. If July 1 falls on a weekend or holiday, the report is due the next business day. The Texas Comptroller says property may be remitted any time after the March 1 annual cutoff.
What is the Texas escheat cutoff date?
March 1 is the annual cutoff date the Comptroller uses for required abandonment periods. Property that has reached the end of its abandonment period by then is reported in that year's July 1 report.
Do I have to notify owners before reporting to Texas?
Yes. The Comptroller says to send due diligence notices by mail or email no later than 60 days before the due date, telling owners you hold their property and must deliver it to the Comptroller by July 1 if they do not claim it.
What if my business has nothing to report?
File a negative report. The Comptroller accepts it through its online manual reporting function.
How long should I keep unclaimed property records in Texas?
The Comptroller says to keep records of your report for at least 10 years.
What if we never reported in past years?
Texas has a Voluntary Disclosure Agreement option for unclaimed property. The Comptroller says the lookback period is 10 years, and you can start the process in writing without naming the company. Questions: 800-321-2274, option 2.