Owner GuardianHow Long Do I Have to Claim Excess Proceeds in California?
By the Owner Guardian Team · Published · Updated
Short answer: one year from the date the tax collector's deed to the buyer is recorded, not one year from the auction. Here is how to find your exact deadline and how long payment takes.
The rule
Under Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §4675 (subdivision (a)), any party of interest may file a claim “at any time prior to the expiration of one year following the recordation of the tax collector's deed to the purchaser.” The deed is usually recorded weeks after the auction. In Riverside County, for example, the April 28, 2026 sale's deeds were recorded June 25, 2026, so claims run to June 2027.
Have a property in mind? We can check the records for you, at no cost.
Examples from county notices
| County | Sale | Final date to claim |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial | Feb 20, 2026 | Mar 19, 2027 (postmark) |
| San Joaquin | Mar 11-12, 2026 | Apr 2, 2027 (received) |
| Sacramento | Feb 23, 2026 | Mar 26, 2027 (received) |
| Riverside | Apr 28, 2026 | One year after Jun 25, 2026 deed recording |
Taken from each county's published notice or claim form, October 2026. Always confirm with the county.
Postmarked or received? It depends on the county
Section 4675 treats a claim as timely if it is postmarked on or before the deadline, and Imperial County's form uses the postmark. But several counties' instructions say the claim must be received by the deadline (San Joaquin, San Diego, Sacramento). The safe approach is to mail well before the date, with tracking.
How to find your exact date
- Check the county notice you received, or the county's excess proceeds list. Many show the recording date or the final claim date.
- Find the county page: see our California county list.
- Call the treasurer-tax collector and ask for the deed recording date for your parcel.
What if I miss it?
Counties state they have no obligation to extend the one-year deadline (Imperial says so in its instructions). Unclaimed excess proceeds generally go to the county. Some counties' local rules allow limited exceptions for good cause, so ask, but do not count on it.
How long until I am paid?
Counties generally cannot distribute excess proceeds until the one-year period ends (§4675(e)). After a decision, many wait about 90 days before paying. San Diego issues warrants 90 days after the award letter; Sacramento allows 90 days for disputes, then pays in about 90 days. So expect payment roughly 15 to 18 months or more after the sale.
Frequently asked questions
Does the one-year clock start at the auction?
No. It starts when the tax collector's deed to the purchaser is recorded, which is usually some weeks after the auction.
Can I file before the year is up and get paid sooner?
You should file before the deadline, but counties generally do not pay until the one-year period has passed.
Is the deadline the same in every California county?
The one-year rule is state law, but each sale has its own recording date, and counties differ on whether they count postmark or receipt.
Published October 2026. General information, not legal advice.