Sacramento County, CA Excess Proceeds From Tax Sales

If a property in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Folsom and the rest of Sacramento 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 Sacramento County Treasurer-Tax Collector.

In Sacramento County, tax sales and excess proceeds are handled by the Department of Finance, Tax-Defaulted Land Unit. It issues a claim form for each auction and states: “There is no cost to file a claim for excess proceeds directly with Sacramento County.”

Sacramento County claim details

For the February 23, 2026 auction, claims are due by March 26, 2027. The May 19, 2026 auction has its own form and later deadline.
Claims must be received before the one-year deadline.
After review, the county gives 90 days to dispute the distribution. If there are no disputes, the Auditor-Controller issues payment after about 90 days.
Tell the office if your mailing address changes during the process.
Mail to Sacramento County Department of Finance, Tax-Defaulted Land Unit, Attn: Excess Proceeds Administration, 700 H Street, Room 1710, Sacramento, CA 95814-1214.

Not sure if Sacramento County is holding money for you? Ask us to check the Sacramento 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 · Riverside County · San Bernardino County · Los Angeles County · San Joaquin County · Orange County · San Diego 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.