Millions in Unclaimed Tax Refunds in Arizona: Here’s How to Check If Some of It Is Yours
Every year in the United States, millions of dollars go unclaimed, and a surprising amount of this money belongs to people who don’t even know they’re entitled to it. In Arizona, this issue has grown over the years, with record-breaking numbers of unclaimed tax refunds, forgotten bank accounts, and uncollected checks piling up.
If you’ve lived, worked, or paid taxes in Arizona recently, you could be one of the thousands of residents owed money—and now is the time to check.
Unclaimed Tax Refunds in Arizona Hit Record Levels
According to the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR), over $88 million in unclaimed property was reported during the last tax year. This includes state and federal tax refunds, service overpayments, and other financial transactions that were never collected. The figure is a historic high, far surpassing the usual $57 million average seen in the past five years.
In addition, a recent internal audit by ADOR found another $17 million in overpaid taxes still waiting to be refunded. These funds relate to about 46,000 Arizona residents who, due to various reasons—mainly a system error—were never informed that they had money waiting to be claimed.
Why This Happens—and Why It Matters
- Much of the unclaimed money is legitimate, still listed under the rightful owners’ names. But due to technical issues or missing updates, it never reaches them. Some of the causes include: People changing their address
- Closed or inactive bank accounts
- Checks lost in the mail
- Filing errors or forgotten tax credits
- What makes it worse is that federal tax refunds must be claimed within three years. If not, they’re permanently lost and returned to the U.S. Treasury. This means many people may unknowingly lose out on money that’s rightfully theirs, simply because they didn’t check on time.
What You Can Do if You Think You’re Owed Money
If you suspect you might have money waiting, here’s what Arizona residents should do:
1. Search the State’s Unclaimed Property Database
Go to Arizona’s official unclaimed property portal and enter your name. This is the first and easiest step to see if there’s anything listed in your name.
2. Check the National Unclaimed Property Site
Use the national site (missingmoney.com) to search other states as well, especially if you’ve lived or worked in more than one state.
3. Gather Supporting Documents
If a match comes up, you’ll need to show proof of identity (like a driver’s license or Social Security card) and documents linking you to the money (such as old bank statements or past employer records).
4. Keep Your Information Updated
Make sure your mailing address and bank details are always current with the IRS, ADOR, and other financial institutions. Many people miss refunds due to outdated contact information.
What About Federal Refunds?
Unlike state-held funds, federal tax refunds have a three-year deadline. If you didn’t file a 2021 tax return and are owed a refund, you must file it by April 15, 2025, or the money is gone for good.
Why This Is a Bigger Deal Now
A recent legal issue between Arizona and the IRS over taxing the Arizona Families Tax Rebate has put the spotlight on tax refunds and their legal treatment. The outcome of this case could affect how certain state-issued rebates are handled in the future, both in Arizona and other states.
While the lawsuit continues, residents are being encouraged to take their refund tracking seriously and not leave money unclaimed.
Arizona residents could be missing out on millions of dollars in unclaimed refunds—some of it hidden due to computer glitches, others simply forgotten over time. The good news is that checking if you’re owed money is quick and easy.
With just a few clicks and some basic documents, you could find funds in your name that have been sitting unclaimed. Don’t let deadlines pass you by, especially for federal refunds, which vanish after three years. Take a few minutes to check—it could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
