Douglas County, GASurplus Funds and Excess Proceeds

In Georgia, money left over after a delinquent property tax sale is called excess funds. Unlike most states, the funds are held by the county Tax Commissioner rather than a court clerk, and each county publishes its own excess funds list.

Excess funds belong to the parties with a claim on the property at the time of the sale — typically the former owner of record, then lienholders in order of priority. Counties generally require a written claim with proof of identity and proof of interest before releasing money.

Always confirm current claim requirements and deadlines directly with the county Tax Commissioner before acting on any list.

Douglas County publishes a single "Tax Sales 2000-Forward Overage" PDF covering every tax sale since 2000, with a CLAIMED column the Tax Commissioner keeps up to date. We only list the balances marked as still unclaimed, so anything already paid out or turned over to the Georgia Department of Revenue is left off.

Excess funds are held by the Tax Commissioner and paid in the order of priority set by O.C.G.A. 48-4-5: the record owner at the time of sale, then lienholders, then other parties of interest. Georgia gives the Tax Commissioner the right to interplead disputed funds into Superior Court, and unclaimed balances are eventually reported to the state as unclaimed property, so timing matters.

To claim, submit a written claim to the Tax Commissioner's office with proof of your interest in the property as of the sale date — deed or lien documentation, photo ID, and, for an estate, letters of administration or testamentary. Confirm the current requirements and the exact balance with the Tax Commissioner before filing; the published amount can change once fees or competing claims are applied.