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How can I submit a claim for property?
To initiate a claim, begin your search through
My Tax Account.
Any property you find during the search can be added to your claim. Please follow the instructions and filing tips provided. To expedite the processing of your claim, please provide all information requested during the claims process. You have the option to save your claim and finish it later, if needed. Your claim is not complete and cannot be reviewed until all required documents are provided.
Once you submit your claim, you will see a confirmation screen. Be sure to click on the "Printable View" button as this produces a copy of your claim in .pdf format. The claim document includes important information that you should print or save for your files, such as the claim confirmation number and property being claimed. If additional documents are required, the claim document also provides an attachment inventory that tells you what you must submit. To ensure timely processing of your claim, you must include the Attachment Inventory page with any additional documents mailed to the department.
If you are unable to complete your claim via our website, you may also call us at (608) 264–4594. Select option 1 to initiate a claim and a letter requesting your documents will be mailed to you.
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Who is the claimant?
The claimant is the individual claiming the property, whether for themselves or as an heir to the owner identified on the property.
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What are the relationship types for property owners?
If your name appears on the property record for the property you are claiming, then you may be the reported owner. This is the most common relationship type. All of the possible relationship types and definitions are listed below.
Business – your business is the owner of the property and your business name appears on the property record and your business has all rights to the ownership of the property.
Creditor – you received a judgment from a court allowing you to claim the property of the listed owner.
Government – your government agency is listed as the owner of unclaimed property or your government agency is making a claim against their debtor's unclaimed property.
Guardian – you have been appointed by a judge to take care of a minor child (called a "ward") or incompetent adult personally and/or manage that person's affairs who has unclaimed property.
Heir – you are entitled through a legal determination to receive property of a deceased person either by will or under the laws of descent and distribution.
Reported Owner – you are the single owner for the property and your name appears on the property record and you have all rights to the ownership of the property.
Uniform Gift No Longer Minor – you had property gifted to you as a minor under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act – (UGMA). You are the named owner of the property and have now reached the age of majority.
Uniform Gift Minor – you are the named Custodian or Trustee of a property that was gifted to a minor under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act – (UGMA).
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Why hasn't my claim form been processed yet?
Claims are processed as quickly as possible, once we receive all of the information required to process the claim. At certain times of the year, the number of claims submitted is high and it may take up to 8 weeks for your claim to be assigned. Once your claim is approved it takes 7-10 days to receive your payment. We recommend you use the
check the status of your claim on our website.
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I received a letter requesting additional information. Where do I send my additional documents?
Please use one of the following methods:
- Secured Electronic Upload: https://tap.revenue.wi.gov/UCPAddInfo/_/
You will need either your claim or confirmation number. - Fax: (608) 261-6799
- Mail: Please send all documents with the barcoded Attachment Inventory letter you received to the address below:
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Unclaimed Property Unit
PO Box 8982
Madison, WI 53708-8982
If you do not send the barcoded Attachment Inventory letter along with your documents, we may be unable to locate your claim to associate your documents.
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Is my personal information confidential?
Yes, personal information and any reports or records of a claimant are confidential.
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Why is my claim refund coming from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue?
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) administers the Unclaimed Property program for the State of Wisconsin. Your claim refund notice will say "Notice of Refund – Unclaimed Property" to differentiate it from another tax refund.
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I do not have all of the required documents to submit with my claim. What should I do?
You can save your claim and finish it later. Please print a copy of the confirmation page as it contains a confirmation code that you will need to resume your claim. Note: You can upload additional documents for your claim securely at
https://tap.revenue.wi.gov/UCPAddInfo/_/. You will need your claim or confirmation number.
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Why am I being asked to provide additional information after I've submitted my claim?
We make every attempt to process your claim using the information provided with the claim. If we cannot process your claim, we will send you a letter asking for additional information. Please follow the instructions in the letter to expedite the processing of your claim.
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I'm being asked to provide a Declaration of Heirship. What is a Declaration of Heirship?
A declaration of heirship is a legal document that is used to determine the right to inheritance of a deceased individual's assets and used to determine how the property passes to you. The form lists the relatives of a deceased property owner.
If you are not an immediate family member of the deceased individual, explain how you are related to the decedent in question #1. Example: You are Jeff Smith. The decedent, Jane Doe, is the sibling of your father (Jacob Schmidt). Under Relationship, enter "Father's sibling."
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Where can I get the Declaration of Heirship
The Declaration of Heirship is on our website: Form UCP-240.
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Why was my refund less than I claimed?
Wisconsin statutes authorize the department to collect debt for Wisconsin state agencies, counties, municipalities, the federal government (including the Internal Revenue Service), other states, and federally recognized tribes. Your Notice of Claim Refund will provide details about the debts owed to other government agencies. These offsets cannot be appealed to DOR however, you should contact the collecting agency regarding the offset if you have any questions.
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My property is jointly held. Can I claim all of the funds if the other owners agree?
Yes, you can provide a Release by Co-Owner, Form UCP-150 when the property is jointly held, and the other owner(s) agree to let you claim the entire amount.