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2026 tax season: Key deadlines and filing info
2026 tax season is here. Stay on track with these reminders about filing deadlines, refund timelines and more.
- National Unclaimed Property Day on Feb. 1 reminds people to check for lost or forgotten financial assets.
- Delaware holds millions in unclaimed funds from sources like old bank accounts, uncashed checks, and unused gift cards.
- Residents can search for their property online through Delaware’s official website or the multi-state site MissingMoney.com.
If you’ve ever dug through couch cushions or fished between car seats for spare change, Feb. 1 may be a good day to put those search skills to use by checking Delaware’s unclaimed property records. The date marks National Unclaimed Property Day, part of a nationwide campaign led by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators to remind people to check for lost or forgotten financial assets.
Each year, millions of dollars in forgotten bank balances, uncashed checks, uncollected insurance payments and other dormant funds are turned over to Delaware, where they remain waiting for their rightful owners. Unclaimed property can also include unused gift card or gift certificate balances, unreturned utility deposits and forgotten stocks or dividends.
Businesses are legally required to report and remit these assets to the state after a period of inactivity or when contact with the owner has been lost.
Once in state custody, Delaware and other states hold the property in perpetuity until owners, as well as their heirs or estates claim it. Anyone who locates their property can recover it by completing a claims process that requires proof of identity.
Delaware returns an average of $150 million to $200 million in unclaimed property to owners each year. More than $1.5 billion has been returned in the past five years.
How to claim lost funds
The simplest way to find out if the state is holding property in your name is to search the Office of Unclaimed Property’s online database at unclaimedproperty.delaware.gov. The site provides the most current listings of funds available for claim, including certain gift cards, gift certificates, money orders and cashier’s checks.
Because Delaware’s tool covers only property reported to the state, residents who want a broader search can visit MissingMoney.com. This website includes listings from Delaware plus 48 other states, Puerto Rico and two Canadian provinces. It also provides links to individual state unclaimed property website.
When Delaware sends the money to you automatically
Many Delaware residents may already have received unclaimed property without lifting a finger. Through the state’s Money Match program, unclaimed property records are compared against verified addresses from state income tax filings. When a match is confirmed, the state sends a check automatically – no claims process required.
Since launching in 2021, Money Match has returned more than $5.6 million to nearly 40,000 Delaware taxpayers.
Not all types of unclaimed property qualify for automatic payment through Money Match, and some residents will still need to file claims to recover additional funds.
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