Georgia Surplus Funds and Excess Proceeds
Also called excess funds, surplus funds, overage, excess tax sale funds in Georgia.
- Confirmed unclaimed
- $30,258,540
- Cases
- 1,694
- Counties
- 14
Balances confirmed against clerk records, most recently 9/9/2026. Amounts change as claims are paid.
What Excess Funds Is
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.
Georgia Law at a Glance
- Transferred out if unclaimed
- 1825 days after the sale
- Unclaimed funds go to
- Georgia Department of Revenue, Unclaimed Property Program
- Non-attorney recovery companies
- Permitted
Last verified 2026-08-15.
How To Claim Excess Funds in Georgia
You do not need an attorney or a recovery company to claim these funds. Filing directly with the clerk is free.
If you choose to hire someone, read the fee terms carefully before signing.
Find the office holding the money
Contact the Tax Commissioner in the county where the property sold. That office holds the funds and controls the claim process.
Confirm you were the owner of record
You have a claim if you owned the property on Date of the tax sale. Heirs of a deceased owner can also claim, usually through probate or a small-estate procedure.
Gather your documents
Typically a government-issued photo ID, proof of your current address, and the deed or another document showing you held title. Heirs will also need a death certificate and probate paperwork.
File before the deadline
File the claim form with the clerk. 1825 days after the sale, anything still unclaimed is transferred to Georgia Department of Revenue, Unclaimed Property Program, and you have to claim it there instead.
Where the Money Is Held — 14 Georgia Counties
| County | Clerk Office | Cases | Total Held | Official List | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb | DeKalb County Tax Commissioner | 459 | $13,227,555 | Open | 2026-08-15 |
| Gwinnett | Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner | 128 | $4,668,329 | Open | 2026-08-15 |
| Henry | Henry County Tax Commissioner | 226 | $4,620,636 | Open | 2026-08-15 |
| Douglas | Douglas County Tax Commissioner | 142 | $1,420,529 | Open | 2026-08-15 |
| Troup | Troup County Tax Commissioner | 210 | $1,391,331 | Open | 2026-08-15 |
| Newton | Newton County Tax Commissioner | 85 | $1,016,329 | Open | 2026-08-15 |
| Hall | Hall County Tax Commissioner | 124 | $908,288 | Open | 2026-08-15 |
| Forsyth | Forsyth County Tax Commissioner | 33 | $859,496 | Open | 2026-08-15 |
| Lowndes | Lowndes County Tax Commissioner | 155 | $787,301 | Open | 2026-08-15 |
| Fulton | Fulton County Tax Commissioner | 26 | $481,629 | Open | 2026-08-15 |
| Jackson | Jackson County Tax Commissioner | 25 | $433,228 | Open | 2026-08-15 |
| Clarke | Athens-Clarke County Tax Commissioner | 33 | $319,126 | Open | 2026-08-15 |
| Muscogee | Muscogee County Tax Commissioner | 42 | $102,299 | Open | 2026-08-15 |
| Columbia | Columbia County Tax Commissioner | 6 | $22,465 | Open | 2026-08-15 |
Other Georgia Distress Records
Statutory summaries are research aids, not legal advice. Verify current law and current balances with the county clerk or a licensed attorney.