COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Unclaimed Funds is reminding Ohio business owners to submit their annual unclaimed funds reports this fall.
All businesses that are located in, operate within, or hold funds owed to Ohio residents are required by law to submit their annual reports to the Division.
Reports are due Nov. 1 for accounts dormant as of June 30, 2026. Life insurance companies follow a separate schedule, with reports due May 1, 2027 for accounts dormant as of Dec. 31, 2026.
Businesses with no unclaimed funds must still submit a negative (NONE) report confirming that no dormant accounts were identified. Last year, businesses reported a record-breaking $715,015,068 in unclaimed funds to the Division.
Unclaimed funds are lost or forgotten money that businesses and financial institutions report to the Division after accounts become inactive, typically after three to five years.
The money comes from inactive checking and savings accounts, refund and credit balances, uncashed cashier’s checks, stocks and bonds, forgotten utility deposits, or last paychecks.
A state-of-the-art reporting system, launched in February 2025, makes compliance straightforward ahead of the Nov. 1 deadline. Through unclaimedfunds.ohio.gov, businesses can upload NAUPA files, create manual reports, remit funds, and submit NONE reports, all within one secure platform.
All unclaimed funds reports must be filed electronically through the Division’s secure website; paper submissions are no longer accepted.
“While reporting funds is a legal obligation, it is also a critical step in reuniting Ohioans with their hard-earned money,” Division Superintendent Akil Hardy said.
“Our online system is designed to make reporting simple and efficient, ensuring holders can meet their obligations and that residents can more easily reclaim what is rightfully theirs.”
Businesses should follow these three steps to report funds:
- Identify dormant accounts to determine whether you have unclaimed funds to report.
- Send letters to owners of dormant accounts, allowing 30 days for a response.
- Submit your report and remit funds online.
To help holders understand the reporting process, the Division hosted a free webinar on Sept. 28, 2026. The Division also offers a Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA) for companies that may have missed reporting unclaimed property in previous cycles.
An informational webinar about the VCA program was held on Oct. 8, 2026. Recordings of both webinars are available on the Division’s events page.
All holders must review their records annually to identify dormant accounts. For funds of $50 or more, a Notice of Unclaimed Funds must be sent to account owners.
First-class mail is acceptable for amounts under $1,000, while certified mail with return receipt is required for notices exceeding $1,000. Up to $20 may be charged against each account subject to certified mailing to offset mailing costs.
To assist businesses, the Division offers a wide range of videos, forms, and resources.
