Military Who Served In AZ: Is Part Of This $2.3 Million Yours?

ARIZONA – The Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) reported that it has $2.3 million in funds unclaimed by U.S. military members based in Arizona during the past 30 years. The largest amount to refund to a military individual totals $86,034. Could any of the unclaimed properties belong to you or your family member?

The agency said the individuals owning these properties would have served at Tucson’s Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Luke Air Force Base, Fort Huachuca Army Base, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Yuma Proving Ground Army Base or Camp Navajo Army Base.

The properties presently unclaimed include uncashed payroll checks, credit balances, tax refunds, old bank accounts, returned deposits, rebates and dormant safe deposit boxes. Often the companies holding such funds have incorrect forwarding addresses for Service members. Or perhaps the individual has died without family members knowing of the unclaimed assets.

The state takes charge of the properties after inactivity for several years, and ADOR is sending notices now to Service members’ most current addresses on file to prompt the property owner or a family member to reach out to ADOR.

To make a claim, the military member will have to provide proof including a claim form with a driver’s license or other valid photo ID, in addition to documentation connecting them to the last known address on file. If the unclaimed property is in another’s name, the family member claimant is required to show documentation giving them a legal right to the property.

ADOR’s Unclaimed Property program returned $48.4 million to claimants in 2018-2019, with the property values spanning $1 to $586,000. The program has returned about $170 million to individuals and businesses during the past three fiscal years.

Anyone wanting to make a claim or find out more can do so by accessing the Unclaimed Property section on the Arizona Department of Revenue's website.