Published: September 17, 2024

Unclaimed Property Exemptions, Exclusions, & Deductions – Are They Right For Your Company

Unclaimed Property Exemptions and Deductions picture of timer running out for deadlines

Have You Considered The Impact Of Unclaimed Property Exemptions, Exclusions, and Deductions On Your Unclaimed Property Reporting Process?

What Are Authorized Exemptions, Exclusions, And Deductions?

Applicable unclaimed property exemptions, exclusions and deductions vary by state and property type and include, but are not limited to the following:

General

  • Business to Business (B2B) 
  • De Minimis amounts
  • Payroll 
  • Charitable donations
  • Property held for state and federal governments
  • Due diligence mailing costs

Retail

  • Gift Cards/Certificates & Stored Value Cards 
  • Merchandise Credits
  • Layaways
  • Rebates

Federal Preemption

  • Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
  • Federal Payors (Healthcare Industry)
  • Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995 (ICCA) (Transportation Industry)

Important Considerations Before Applying Unclaimed Property Exemptions, Exclusions And Deductions

While the decision to utilize exemptions, exclusions and deductions can reduce a company’s overall unclaimed property reporting obligations, it is important to understand the pros and cons of applying them to your reporting process.  

Pro – The applications will reduce the reportable amount to an applicable state

Con – If exemptions and exclusions are applied, the company’s obligations to the owners remain as well as the accounting for the liability on the  books.

Con – If deductions are taken, the cost of tracking the deductions could exceed the authorized deducted amount.

Before finalizing your Fall 2024 reports consider the impact of exemptions, exclusions and deductions on your unclaimed property reporting in light of the pros and cons and your overall business philosophy and practices.

Get Help Navigating Unclaimed Property Exemptions, Exclusions, and Deductions

Are you uncertain about exemptions, exclusions and deductions and the impact on your unclaimed property reporting?  Knowing what they are and understanding the pros and cons of their applications to your unclaimed property reporting process will assist management in determining if the applications work for your company.  Contact Clarus Partners or Sonia Walwyn, Partner at [email protected] or (630) 216-9954.

Sonia Walwyn and our expert team can assess your company’s unclaimed property risk. We can also help you find effective ways to ensure accurate and timely compliance. With over 30 years of experience in unclaimed property, Sonia is both a licensed CPA and attorney.

Clarus can assist with unclaimed property audit defense, voluntary compliance reviews, annual reporting, policies and procedures review/implementation, and asset recovery. We look forward to assisting you with your unclaimed property needs.