San Diego County might owe you money: $1M still unclaimed

San Diego County might owe you money, but the deadline to get it back is quickly approaching.

There is roughly $1.1 million left to be given back, said the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office. The deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 30at 11:59 p.m. The most common reason why the county might owe you money is overpaying on taxes.

San Diegans can check to see if they are owed money on the county’s website: Sdttc.com.

“With the cost of living what it is, and the holidays approaching, I’m sure people can use this money,” wrote Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister in a news release. “My staff and I are working hard to return this money to the citizens of San Diego. The average refund is $755, and that can go a long way for those who are the rightful owners and who need it.” 

The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office is required by state law to put unclaimed money in the general fund if no business or person claims it in three years.

There are a lot of very small amounts for individuals, such as $10, but the totals get pretty high for a lot of businesses. Orange County-based telecommunications company Mobilite is owed nearly $10,000, Village Wood Condominiums are owed $3,400, and Rancho Sante Fe retail hub Cielo Village is owed $3,538.

If you don’t have access to a computer, you can also visit branches of the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office downtown, in Chula Vista, Santee, San Marcos and Kearny Mesa. Or you call and ask: 877-829-4732.

If a person finds their name, the office has a one-page form to fill out that can be downloaded off the website. Potentially slowing things down: If the refund is more than $500, it needs to be notarized, which can usually be done at a UPS store, PostalAnnex or individual notaries.

Claims should be emailed to: refunds@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Or, if you are already somewhere getting it notarized, you can also mail it:

San Diego County Treasurer Tax Collector
ATTN: Financial Division/Property Tax Refund Claim
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 162
San Diego, CA 92101

In the past five years, the office has refunded more than $383,300. There are nearly 2,000 unclaimed refunds this year.