Numbered Letter 2009-1, Unclaimed Property

P.O. BOX 30728

•

LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909-8228

www.michigan.gov/treasury

•

(517) 373-3227

JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM

GOVERNOR

TATE OF

ICHIGAN

DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY

ANSING

ROBERT

KLEINE

STATE TREASURER

NUMBERED LETTER 2009-1

REQUIREMENTS OF UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR REPORTING

UNCLAIMED PROPERTY

(Replaces Numbered Letter 99-2)

Issued By: Local Audit and Finance Division, Bureau of Local Government Services

Issue Date: August 2009

2009-1. This Numbered Letter announces new contact information and modifies the extension

requirements to mirror current Department of Treasury policies and procedures.

Under Public Act 29 of 1995, the Uniformed Unclaimed Property Act, the Michigan State

Treasurer is the administrator and acts as custodian of the property on behalf of the owner. The

Act protects unclaimed property and returns it to its rightful owners or their heirs. The State

Treasurer takes custody of the property so the owner may claim it, even if the original holder is

no longer in business. The Act also centralizes the search for lost property in one place, the

Unclaimed Property Division of the Michigan Department of Treasury.

Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) 567.234 states: “Property held for the owner by a court, state,

or other government, governmental subdivision or agency, public corporation, or public authority

that remains unclaimed by the owner for more than 1 year after becoming payable or

distributable is presumed abandoned."

The law requires the person holding unclaimed property presumed abandoned and subject to the

State’s custody, to send written notification (“due diligence letter”) to the owner at their last

known address informing them that the property is subject to be turned over to the State of

Michigan. The notice must be sent not less than 60 days before filing the report to the State of

Michigan. This requirement only applies if all the following conditions are met as required by

MCL 567.238:

1) If the property has a value of $50.00 or more;

2) The address for the owner does not appear to be inaccurate; and

3) The statute of limitation does not bar the claim of the owner.

4425 (8-06)

2009-1

Unclaimed Property

Page 2

MCL 567.238 requires the report along with the unclaimed property to be filed with the State

Treasurer on or before November 1 of each year for the twelve month period ending on the

immediately preceding June 30. A 60 day extension is available after the deadline upon request.

However, failure to pay or deliver unclaimed property within the time prescribed by MCL

567.255 of the Act, subjects the person or unit to penalties and interest. Penalties and interest is

payable at the current monthly rate of 1 percent above the adjusted prime rate per annum per

month, (on the property or value of the property) from the date of the property should have been

paid or delivered.

Who should report?

The Uniform Unclaimed Property Act is silent as to what official has the responsibility to

complete the report and escheat unclaimed property to the State of Michigan. MCL 567.238

states, “the person holding property presumed abandoned and subject to the State’s custody as

unclaimed property under this Act shall report to the administrator (State Treasurer) concerning

the property as provided in this section.” However, in other statutory provisions, the local

governmental unit treasurer has the statutory responsibility as the custodian of all funds in the

local unit of government.

For example, outstanding checks, drafts or similar instruments not cashed for 90 days or older

that are payable in the General Fund should be transferred to the Trust and Agency Fund. The

Uniform Chart of Accounts requires that the amount of the outstanding checks that are

abandoned and to be escheated to the State be maintained in account number 268 “Escheatable

Money” within the Trust and Agency Fund. A detailed list would be maintained of the

transferred outstanding checks and then reconciled on a monthly basis as part of the bank

reconciliation process.

In a county, the county treasurer would have the responsibility to complete the report under MCL

567.238 as the person holding the property presumed abandoned and subject to the State’s

custody as unclaimed property under this Act. In the case of the county, a letter should be sent to

the various departments directing them to send all unclaimed outstanding checks over 90 days

old to the county treasurer for deposit into the Trust and Agency Fund as “Escheatable Money.”

For questions or additional information, please contact the Unclaimed Property Division at 517-

636-5320 or write:

Michigan Department of Treasury

Unclaimed Property Division

P.O. Box 30756

Lansing, Michigan 48909