Riverside County, CA Excess Proceeds From Tax Sales

If a property in Riverside, Palm Springs, Indio, Temecula, Moreno Valley and the rest of Riverside County was sold at a tax-defaulted property auction for more than the taxes and costs owed, the former owner, lienholders, or heirs may be able to claim the excess proceeds from the Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector.

The Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector publishes a Notice of Right to Claim Excess Proceeds after each tax sale, divided among local newspapers. For the tax sale held April 28, 2026, the notice says the deeds to purchasers were recorded June 25, 2026, and claims filed more than one year after that recording cannot be considered.

Riverside County claim details

Claims must be in writing with enough information and proof to establish your right to the funds.
Claim forms and filing procedures are available from the Treasurer-Tax Collector, 4080 Lemon Street, 4th Floor, Riverside, or by phone at (951) 955-3900.

Not sure if Riverside County is holding money for you? Ask us to check the Riverside County records, at no cost.

California rules that apply

Under Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §4675, any party of interest may claim within one year after the tax collector's deed to the purchaser is recorded. Lienholders of record have priority, then owners of record. Heirs of a deceased owner may support a claim with a small-estate affidavit under Probate Code §13100. Anyone filing on your behalf must show the county that you were told the amount and source of the funds and your right to file directly at no cost.

How to check and claim, for free

Find the parcel on the county's surplus or excess proceeds list (links below), or call the office.
Get the county's claim form and gather proof of your interest (deed, lien, or death certificate and heirship documents).
File before the deadline and keep proof of mailing.

You can do this yourself, for free. Former owners and heirs may file a claim directly with the county (or court, for foreclosures) without hiring anyone and without paying a fee. We exist for people who would rather have a professional handle the research, paperwork, and follow-up.

How Owner Guardian helps

If you would rather not handle it alone, we confirm the funds with the county, gather records, prepare the claim, help heirs assemble proof, and track the deadline. No upfront fee; our contingency fee is disclosed in a written agreement before you sign. We work remotely and are not affiliated with the county.

Official sources

Other counties: Imperial County · San Bernardino County · Los Angeles County · San Joaquin County · Orange County · San Diego County · Sacramento County · Kern County · Fresno County. Back to California overview.

Information checked October 2026 from the official county sources above. Deadlines and procedures can change; always confirm with the county. General information, not legal advice.