HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03032015 - C.13RECOMMENDATION(S):
CONSIDER adopting Resolution No. 2015/68 to ESTABLISH a policy for distribution of excess proceeds from the
sale of tax-defaulted property and AUTHORIZE the Treasurer-Tax Collector to implement the policy in accordance
with Revenue and Taxation Code section 4675.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No negative financial impact on the County.
BACKGROUND:
Revenue and Taxation Code section 4675 provides for the distribution of monies from the sale of a tax-defaulted
property where the sales price exceeds the amount of the property taxes and associated penalties, interest and costs
owed on the property plus the costs related to the tax sale. It grants the Board of Supervisors certain powers in
distributing these excess proceeds, such as determining the information and proof necessary to make a claim for
excess proceeds and a claimant’s order of priority to the proceeds. The statute permits the Board of Supervisors to
authorize the Treasurer-Tax Collector to exercise the powers granted to the Board. The Board also may adopt rules
and procedures relating to the authorization. The Auditor-Controller is required
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 03/03/2015 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I
Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II
Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV
Supervisor
ABSENT:Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
Contact: Brice Bins, (925) 957-2848
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: March 3, 2015
David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: Stacey M. Boyd, Deputy
cc: Robert Campbell, Auditor-Controller
C. 13
To:Board of Supervisors
From:Russell Watts, Treasurer-Tax Collector
Date:March 3, 2015
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Policy for Excess Proceeds Claims
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
to record each act performed under the authorization.
The attached “Contra Costa County Policy Regarding Claims for Excess Proceeds” (“Policy”) provides rules and
procedures governing the distribution of excess proceeds. The Board’s action will establish a formal policy
regulating the distribution of excess proceeds in the County that would guide the Treasurer-Tax Collector in
distributing the monies. Authorizing the Treasurer-Tax Collector, or designee, to distribute excess proceeds, rather
than requiring the Board to consider these matters, will assist the Treasurer-Tax Collector to more quickly
determine the proper distribution of excess proceeds and distribute those monies so the funds can be promptly
paid to the persons entitled to them.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Failure to take the recommended action will require the Board of Supervisors to provide guidance and approval
concerning the appropriate distribution of monies after each tax sale where the sales price exceeds the costs
related to the tax sale and property taxes and associated penalties, interest and costs owed on the property.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution No. 2015/68
Excess Proceeds Claim Policy
Attachment 2
Attachment 3
Attachment 4
Attachment 5
Attachment 1
NOTICE OF EXCESS PROCEEDS TO INTERESTED PARTIES
Date
Name
Address
City, State Zip
Assessee:
Situs:
Parcel Number: Date Deed to Purchaser Recorded:
Date Sold: Final Date to Submit Claim:
The property referenced above was declared subject to the tax collector's power of sale for non-payment of taxes
and later sold. Interested parties in the excess proceeds from the tax sale (i.e., the last assessee and any
lienholders of record) have a right to file a claim for any excess proceeds that remain after taxes and costs of the
sale have been satisfied. [Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code, § 4675.]
Our records indicate that you may be an interested party, and we have enclosed a claim form for your
convenience, along with instructions for submitting your claim, which are found in the County of Contra Costa
Policy Regarding the Submission of Claims for Excess Proceeds. Please note that your claim must be received
within one year of the date the deed to the purchaser was recorded (shown above) following the tax sale of the
property. By law, claims filed after the one-year period cannot be accepted.
Statute provides that interested parties and their order of priority are:
a) First, lienholders of record prior to the recordation of the tax deed to the purchaser in the order of their priority.
[Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code, § 4675(e)(1)(A).]
b) Second, any person with title of record to all or any portion of the property prior to the recordation of the tax
deed to the purchaser. [Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code, § 4675(e)(1)(B).]
If you consider yourself to be an interested party in the sale of the above-referenced property, please fill out the
enclosed claim form and return it, along with documentation supporting your claim, to:
Contra Costa County Tax Collector
ATTN: Excess Proceeds
625 Court Street, Room 100
Martinez, CA 94553
Additional forms and the County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding the Submission of Claims for Excess Proceeds
may be downloaded at www.cctax.us. If you need assistance or have any questions, please email us at
taxinfo@tax.cccounty.us, come to our office in person at 625 Court Street, Room 102 in Martinez or call
(925) 957-5280 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., weekdays. Claims for excess proceeds may be submitted by
interested parties directly to the Contra Costa County Tax Collector at no cost.
Sincerely,
Russell V. Watts
Contra Costa County
Tax-Collector’s Office
625 Court Street
Finance Building, Room 102
Martinez, California 94553-1231
(925) 957-5280
(925) 957-2899 FAX
Russell V. Watts
Treasurer-Tax Collector
Brice E. Bins
Chief Deputy
Treasurer-Tax Collector
COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA
ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHT TO COLLECT EXCESS PROCEEDS
CCC TTC (2015) Page 1
I, ________________________ (the “Assignor”), do hereby assign to ____________________________ (the
“Assignee”) my right to apply for and collect the excess proceeds from the sale of Assessor’s Parcel Number
___________________________ sold at public auction on ___________________________. [Cal. Rev. &
Tax. Code, § 4675]. I understand that the Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector is holding excess
proceeds in the total amount of $___________________________. Although I have a right to all or a portion of
the excess proceeds, I am voluntarily giving up my right to file a claim for them. For valuable consideration
received, I have sold my right to collect any excess proceeds to the Assignee. I have disclosed to the Assignee
all facts of which I am aware relating to the value of this right I am assigning.
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.
________________________________ ______________________________________
(Signature of Assignor/ Interested Party) (Interested Party/Assignor Name Printed)
________________________________ ______________________________________
(Date) (Address)
______________________________________
(City/State/Zip)
______________________________________ ______________________________________
(Area Code/Telephone Number) (Email)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA )
On (Date),
before me, (Name and Title of
Officer),
personally appeared, ,
who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are
subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in
his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the
person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing
paragraph is true and correct.
WITNESS MY HAND AND OFFICIAL SEAL
Signature of Notary Public
A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the
document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.
COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA
ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHT TO COLLECT EXCESS PROCEEDS
CCC TTC (2015) Page 2
I, _____________________ (the “Assignee”), have disclosed to ________________________ (the Assignor),
pursuant to Section 4675 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, all facts of which I am aware relating to
the value of the right being assigned, that I have disclosed to the Assignor the full amount of excess proceeds
available in the amount of $_____________________, and that I have advised the Assignor of his or her right
to file a claim on his or her own without assigning that right.
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.
________________________________ ______________________________________
(Signature of Assignee) (Assignee Name Printed)
________________________________ ______________________________________
(Date) (Address)
______________________________________
(City/State/Zip)
______________________________________ ______________________________________
(Area Code/Telephone Number) (Email)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA )
On (Date),
before me, (Name and Title of
Officer),
personally appeared, ,
who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are
subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in
his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the
person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing
paragraph is true and correct.
WITNESS MY HAND AND OFFICIAL SEAL
Signature of Notary Public
A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the
document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.
CCC TTC (2015) Page 1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF CLAIM FOR EXCESS PROCEEDS RECEIVED
«DATE_OF_LETTERS__FORMS»
«NAME»
«ADDRESS»
«CITYSTATEZIP»
Assessee: «ASSESSEES1» «ASSESSEES11»
Situs: «SITUS»
Parcel Number: «PARCEL_NUMBER» Date Deed to Purchaser Recorded: «DATE_RECORDED»
Date Sold: «DATE_SOLD» Final Date to Submit Claim: «FINAL_DATE»
Dear «NAME»:
This letter acknowledges receipt of your claim for excess proceeds by the Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax
Collector’s Office. Please refer to the status of your claim as indicated below:
Upon preliminary review, the claim was timely received and contains the required Contra Costa County
Treasurer-Tax Collector form(s) and supporting documentation.
The claim was timely received but will not undergo a preliminary review. The instructions for filing a claim
are contained in County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding the Submission of Claims for Excess Proceeds,
which may be downloaded at www.cctax.us.
The claim was timely received but incomplete. Please refer to the County of Contra Costa Policy
Regarding the Submission of Claims for Excess Proceeds, which contains the instructions for filing a claim.
The Policy may be downloaded at www.cctax.us.
The claim was received after the final due date to submit a claim for excess proceeds. The claim is denied.
Please contact Eric Moe at (925) 957-2813 for further information.
If you have any questions, please contact Eric Moe at (925) 957-2813 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.,
weekdays.
Sincerely,
Russell V. Watts
Contra Costa County
Tax-Collector’s Office
625 Court Street
Finance Building, Room 102
Martinez, California 94553-1231
(925) 957-5280
(925) 957-2899 FAX
Russell V. Watts
Treasurer-Tax Collector
Brice E. Bins
Chief Deputy
Treasurer-Tax Collector
AFFIDAVIT UNDER CALIFORNIA PROBATE CODE SECTION §13101
CCC TTC (2015) Page 1
The undersigned state(s) as follows: __________________________________ (name of decedent) died on
____________________ (date), in the City of ___________________, County of _______________________ ,
State of __________________________ and:
1. At least forty days have elapsed since the death of the decedent, as shown by the attached certified copy
of decedent's death certificate. (Attach a copy of the death certificate.)
2. Check one of the following, as appropriate:
No proceeding is now being or has been conducted in California for administration of the
decedent's estate.
The decedent's personal representative has consented in writing to the payment, transfer, or
delivery to the affiant of the property described in this affidavit.
3. The current gross fair market value of the decedent's real and personal property in California, excluding
the property described in the California Probate Code Section 13050, does not exceed $150,000.
4. Check one of the following, as appropriate:
An Inventory and Appraisal of the real property in the decedent's estate is attached (Probate
Form DE-160, DE-161), or
There is no real property in the estate.
5. The following is a description of the property that is to be paid, transferred or delivered to the undersigned
under the provisions of California Probate Code section 13100:
(If more information, please attach additional sheets if necessary.)
6. The successor(s) of the decedent, as defined in Probate Code Section 13006, is/are:
7. Check one of the following, as appropriate:
The undersigned is/are successor(s) of the decedent to the decedent's interest in the described
property, or
The undersigned is/are authorized under California Probate Code Section 13051 to act on
behalf of the successor(s) of the decedent with respect to the decedent's interest in the
described property.
8. No other person has a superior right to the interest of the decedent in the described property.
AFFIDAVIT UNDER CALIFORNIA PROBATE CODE SECTION §13101
CCC TTC (2015) Page 2
9. The undersigned requests that the described property be paid, delivered or transferred to the undersigned.
I/we declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.
Date Printed name Signature
(Attach an additional sheet if necessary.)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA )
On (Date),
before me, (Name and Title of Officer),
personally appeared, ,
who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the
within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized
capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of
which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is
true and correct.
WITNESS MY HAND AND OFFICIAL SEAL
Signature of Notary Public
A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document
to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.
County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding Claims for Excess Proceeds Page 1
County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding
Claims for Excess Proceeds
PURPOSE
I. California Revenue and Taxation Code section 4675 describes how excess proceeds
from sales of tax-defaulted properties by a county tax collector must be
distributed. This statute also identifies the information and proof necessary to
establish a claimant’s rights to all or any portion of excess proceeds.
II. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors through Resolution 15/____ has
authorized the Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector to distribute excess
proceeds in accordance with the rules and procedures set forth in this policy.
[Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code, § 4675.1.]
RULES AND PROCEDURES
1. NOTIFICATION
a. When excess proceeds from the sale of tax-defaulted property exceed one
hundred fifty dollars ($150), the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office has
ninety (90) days to notify potential claimants of the right to claim excess
proceeds. (A sample notice, “Notice of Excess Proceeds to Interested
Parties”, is attached as Attachment 1.)
b. The law requires the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office to mail notice to the
last known mailing address of interested parties as identified by statute,
(e.g., the last named owner on the assessment roll and lienholders). The
Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office shall make a reasonable effort to obtain the
name and last known mailing address of interested parties. [Cal. Rev. & Tax.
Code, §§ 4675, 4676(c).]
c. If the last known address of an interested party cannot be obtained, the law
requires the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office to publish notice of the right to
claim excess proceeds in a newspaper of general circulation in the County,
unless the cost to publish is equal to or greater than the amount of the excess
proceeds.
2. CLAIM REQUIREMENTS: As described below, each claimant must submit a
completed Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Excess Proceeds Claim
County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding Claims for Excess Proceeds Page 2
Form and supporting documentation, which provides information and proof of the
claimant’s right to all or any portion of excess proceeds.
2.1 CLAIM FORM
a. Along with Notice of Excess Proceeds to Interested Parties, the
Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office will mail a Contra Costa County
Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Excess Proceeds Claim Form (“Claim Form”)
to the interested parties it has located after making a reasonable
search. (A sample Claim Form is attached as Attachment 2.)
b. An interested party or other claimant must use the Claim Form to make
a claim for excess proceeds.
c. If an interested party or other claimant does not receive the Claim Form
or needs additional copies, the Claim Form may be obtained:
i. by downloading it from the Contra Costa County website at
www.cctax.us; or
ii. upon request via standard USPS mail (if a claimant provides a
self-addressed, stamped envelope for delivery), email or fax.
d. Failure to receive a Claim Form from the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s
Office is not an excuse for failing to properly and timely submit a
claim on a Claim Form and supporting documentation.
2.2 INFORMATION ON FORM
a. The Claim Form must include the following information:
1. Assessor Parcel Number .
2. Last assessee/owner of record.
3. P roperty address .
4. D ate of tax sale .
5. Date the tax deed was recorded.
6. F inal date to submit claim for excess proceeds.
7. The amount or percentage of excess proceeds of the claim (the
amount of available excess proceeds from each tax sale is available
on the County of Contra Costa Treasurer-Tax Collector’s website at
www.cctax.us > Gen’l Tax Information > Public Auction
Information).
8. Claimant’s filing status, i.e.,:
i. Person or entity, such as a business, trust or other legal entity,
who held title to the tax-defaulted property (“Person with
Title of Record”);
County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding Claims for Excess Proceeds Page 3
ii. Lienholder of Record;
iii. Qualified Heir of Person with Title of Record; or
iv. Assignee of an Interested Party.
9. Claimant’s name, address, telephone number, email address and
signature.
b. The Claim Form must be verified under penalty of perjury and
properly notarized. [Cal. Civ. Code, § 1189.]
2.3 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
a. In addition to filing a completed, verified Claim Form, the claimant
must also fill out and file applicable documentation described in
Appendices A and B.
b. In those cases where original documents are required, the Treasurer-
Tax Collector’s Office will not accept lost document affidavits in
place of the original documents.
c. The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office will return original documents
to the claimant(s) upon request if the claimant(s) provides a self-
addressed envelope with sufficient postage, along with the completed
Claim Form.
3. SUBMISSION OF CLAIM
a. The deadline (the “Deadline”) to file a completed claim with the Contra
Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office is one (1) year following
the date of the recording of the deed to the purchaser of the tax-
defaulted property.
i. A claimant may not file or amend a claim after the Deadline. It is the
claimant’s sole responsibility to timely submit a complete claim,
including all necessary supporting documentation.
ii. A claimant may not rely on the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office to
approve or request information to supplement incomplete claims.
b. The claimant must mail completed claims, including all supporting
documentation, to:
Treasurer-Tax Collector
County of Contra Costa
ATTN: EXCESS PROCEEDS
625 Court Street, Suite 100
Martinez, CA 94553
County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding Claims for Excess Proceeds Page 4
c. Each interested party must file his or her own claim, unless:
i. the interested party has assigned his or her rights to another party.
When the interested party has assigned his or her rights, the claim must
include information and documentation establishing the assignment
described in Appendices A and B (a sample Assignment of Right to
Collect Excess Proceeds Form is attached as Attachment 3); or
ii. the claim is submitted on behalf of an interested party by an agent,
attorney in fact, or person with valid powers of attorney along with the
evidence establishing such a relationship with the interested party
described in Appendices A and B. In those cases where the Treasurer-
Tax Collector’s Office determines the claim is valid and there is
sufficient excess proceeds, payment will be sent to the address of the
attorney, agent, or attorney in fact, but shall only be made payable to
the interested party.
d. Generally, each claimant must submit his or her claim in a separate
envelope. However, multiple claimants may submit their individual claims
(each claim on a separate Claim Form) in a single envelope if they are
sharing supporting documentation.
e. For each claim filed on a Claim Form and received by the Deadline, the
Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office will send the claimant a letter
acknowledging receipt of claim. (A sample “Acknowledgement of Claim for
Excess Proceeds Received” is attached as Attachment 4.)
4. PRELIMINARY CLAIM REVIEW
a. The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office may review claims filed during the
eleven (11) months following the recording of the deed to the purchaser for
completeness. That preliminary review is intended as an opportunity for the
Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office to make an evaluation of the claim for
purposes of determining whether additional documentation is needed.
However, the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office does not guarantee any
preliminary review of claims. Interested parties may contact the Treasurer-Tax
Collector’s Office to inquire about the status of the preliminary review and may
submit missing documents or information during this period if notified by the
Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office to do so. Missing documents or information
will not be accepted after the Deadline.
b. The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office may send a claimant one (1)
Preliminary claim Review letter notifying the claimant of the Office’s
findings, including whether additional information needs to be provided.
The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office will send any such letters to the
County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding Claims for Excess Proceeds Page 5
address for claimant shown on the Claim Form. The Preliminary Claim
Review letter may ask the claimant to submit any additional
documentation that the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office determines is
necessary to complete the original claim. The claimant must file any such
additional documentation with the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office before
the Deadline. No time extensions will be permitted.
c. The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office will not perform a preliminary
review of claims received during the final thirty (30) days of the one (1)
year filing period.
d. The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office will not accept claims,
amendments to claims and supporting documentation after the Deadline.
5. FINAL CLAIMS REVIEW
a. After the Deadline, the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office will perform a final
review of the claim.
b. Except as provided in subsection (e) below, the Treasurer-Tax
Collector, or designee, will decide, in his or her sole discretion,
whether the claim and supporting documentation sufficiently
evidence existence of a recorded document supporting claimant’s
right to excess proceeds.
c. The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office will either approve or deny the claim, in
whole or in part, and notify the claimant of the decision.
d. For each claim approved by the Treasurer-Tax-Collector’s Office, the
Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office will determine the order of claimant’s
priority to the excess proceeds. [See Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code, § 4675.]
e. In certain instances, the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office may choose to file
a legal action known as an “interpleader” to ask the Contra Costa County
Superior Court to decide who should receive the excess proceeds. For
example, this might occur when the validity of a claim or the priority of
claimants to excess proceeds is unclear and there is a potential dispute
among claimants.
6. DISTRIBUTION OF EXCESS PROCEEDS: After the Treasurer-Tax
Collector’s Office has distributed excess proceeds from a tax sale under Sections
4672, 4672.1, 4672.2, 4672.3, 4673 and 4673.1 of the Revenue and Taxation
Code, it will distribute the remaining excess proceeds as follows:
County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding Claims for Excess Proceeds Page 6
a. The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office will first deduct from the excess
proceeds an amount equal to the costs of obtaining the name and last known
mailing address of interested parties and of mailing or publishing required
notices and distribute that amount to the Contra Costa County General Fund.
[Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code, § 4676(d).]
b. If there are sufficient excess proceeds after the above-described distributions
and those claims that have higher priority, a claimant will be paid amount of
his or her claim that is approved by the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office.
[Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code, § 4675(e).]
c. The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office will transfer any remaining excess
proceeds that are not claimed by the time to do so under Revenue and
Taxation Code section 4675(e) to the Contra Costa County General Fund.
[Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code, § 4674.]
County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding Claims for Excess Proceeds Page 7
APPENDIX A
1. Person(s) with Title of Record 8
2. Qualified Heir or Successor of Person(s) with Title of Record or Other
Interested Party 8
3. Lienholder(s) of Record 9
a. Mortgage Lenders and Deed of Trust Beneficiaries 9
b. Judgment Creditors 9
4. Assignee(s) of a Interested Party 10
County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding Claims for Excess Proceeds Page 8
1. PERSON(S) WITH TITLE OF RECORD: The person(s) or entity who held
record title to the tax-defaulted property must submit the following documents:
a. Original recorded documents (e.g., deed, court order) supporting claimant’s right
to excess proceeds as the person(s) or entity that held record title to the tax-
defaulted property. Except as stated in (b) below, copies of these documents
may be submitted in place of the original recorded document if accompanied by
additional documentation sufficient to support the claim (e.g., at least two utility
and/or tax bills for the property in the claimant(s)’s name, such as power,
television, internet subscriptions, and original tax bills).
b. If title to the property was in a recorded trust, the original trust document indicating
that the claimant(s) is/are the trustee(s) or successor trustee(s) of the trust authorized
to file claims on behalf of the trust.
c. If a business held record title to the tax-defaulted property, the claimant must
submit documents that show the business and claimant’s right to make a claim.
For the documents required of various business entities, please refer to Appendix
B.
2. QUALIFIED HEIR OR SUCCSSSOR OF PERSON(S) OR ENTITY WITH
TITLE OF RECORD OR OTHER INTERESTED PARTY: Qualified heir(s) of
a person who held record title to the tax-defaulted property or other interested party
must submit the following:
a. Documentation proving claimant is an heir to a person(s) who held record title to
the tax-defaulted property or other interested party (e.g., court order, petition for
letters of administration).
b. If applicable, a notarized probate affidavit. [Cal. Prob. Code, §§ 13100-13116.] A
form affidavit is available for download on the Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax
Collector’s website at www.cctax.us > Gen’l Tax Information > Public Auction
Information and a sample is attached as Attachment 5.
c. If applicable, the last will and testament and any codicils thereto of a
person(s) who held record title to the tax-defaulted property or other interested
party.
d. If the interested party is a business, the claimant must submit documents that
show the business and claimant’s right to make a claim. For the documents
required of various business entities, please refer to Appendix B.
County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding Claims for Excess Proceeds Page 9
3. LIENHOLDER(S) OF RECORD
a. MORTGAGE LENDERS AND DEED OF TRUST BENEFICIARIES:
Mortgage lenders and deed of trust beneficiaries must submit the following
information:
i. The original promissory note and all amendments or other modifications (if
any) on the tax-defaulted property.
a) Copies of any promissory note(s) and/or modifications of the
promissory note(s) are unacceptable.
b) The only alternative to providing an original promissory note is a
court order pursuant to California Civil Code section 3415, which
establishes the existence and terms of a lost note.
ii. The original or certified copy of the Deed of Trust/Mortgage.
iii. The original or certified copy of assignments (if any).
iv. A statement setting forth:
a) the original amount of the obligation;
b) any advances or modifications to the original obligation;
c) the total amount of payments received and date(s) received; and
d) the amount still due and payable as of the date of the sale of the tax
defaulted property;
e) if the note was in default according to its terms at the time of the tax
sale (other than for defaulted taxes), documentation evidencing all
collection efforts by the claimant; and
v. If the mortgage lender or deed of trust beneficiary is a business, the
claimant must submit documents that show the business and claimant’s
right to make a claim. For the documents required of various business
entities, please refer to Appendix B.
b. JUDGMENT CREDITORS: A judgment creditor must submit the
following information:
i. Documents showing the judgment debtor was the person(s) who possessed
record ownership of the tax-defaulted property at the time of the tax sale.
ii. A ce rtified copy of the judgment(s).
iii. Any statement or orders setting forth any modification(s) to the
judgment.
iv. A statement setting forth:
a) the total amount of payments received and date(s) received; and
County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding Claims for Excess Proceeds Page 10
b) the amount still due and payable as of the date of the sale of the tax
defaulted property.
v. If the judgment creditor is a business, the claimant must submit documents
that show the business and claimant’s right to make a claim. For the
documents required of various business entities, please refer to Appendix
B.
4. ASSIGNEE(S ) OF AN INTERESTED PARTY: An assignee of an interested
party must submit the following information:
a. A completed “Assignment of Right to Collect Excess Proceeds” form. The form is
available for download on the Contra Costa County website at www.cctax.us >
Gen’l Tax Information > Public Auction Information.
b. The “Assignment of Right to Collect Excess Proceeds” form must be:
i. verified under penalty of perjury;
ii. executed by all parties to the assignment;
iii. notarized [Cal. Civ. Code, § 1189]; and
iv. must contain the following information:
a) proof that the amount and source of excess proceeds was disclosed to
the interested party;
b) that the interested party was advised of his or her right to file a claim
for excess proceeds on his or her own behalf directly with the County at no
cost; and
c) contact information of the interested party, including name, address
phone number and email.
c. If the assignee of an interested party is a business, the claimant must submit
documents that show the business and claimant’s right to make a claim. For the
documents required of various business entities, please refer to Appendix B.
Any attempted assignment that does not comply with these requirements shall have
no effect and will be disallowed.
County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding Claims for Excess Proceeds Page 11
APPENDIX B
Claims filed on behalf of a business 12
Corporation 12
Limited Liability Company 13
Limited Partnership 13
General Partnership 13
Sole Proprietorship 14
Merged Business 14
Suspended Business 14
County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding Claims for Excess Proceeds Page 12
CLAIMS FILED ON BEHALF OF A BUSINESS
1. Each Claim Form filed on behalf of a business must be signed by an individual with
corporate authority for the business, such as an officer, general partner, or the sole
proprietor, depending on the legal status of the business.
2. Each claim filed on behalf of a business must provide proof of the Federal
Employer Identification Number (FEIN) assigned to the business. Suggested documents
include:
i. “Letter of Confirmation” from the IRS showing assignment of the FEIN
ii. Copy of tax receipt statement, such as:
a. IRS Form 1098, statement of interest paid; or
b. IRS Form 1099-INT or 1099-DIV, statement of interest or dividends
earned; or
c. IRS assignment of FEIN interact confirmation page;
Tax returns, IRS Form SS-4 application or W-9 will not be accepted to verify FEIN.
3. In addition to the above-required information, claimants must also file the following
documentation, as applicable:
i. CORPORATION
A claimant making a claim on behalf of a corporation must provide proof that
the claimant is an officer of the corporation who has authority to make a claim
on behalf of the corporation. The documentation also must show the legal standing of
the corporation. Suggested documents include the following:
a. The articles of incorporation.
b. The most recent Statement of Information filed with the California Secretary of
State (or equivalent from state in which business operates). If the business e-
filed the Statement of Information, provide a copy of the Statement of
Information and a copy of the payment receipt provided by the California
Secretary of State.
c. A corporation resolution.
d. Certificate of Dissolution.
e. Other documents that prove claimant is a corporate officer who has authority
to make a claim on behalf of the corporation.
Please note that a parent corporation, regardless of the percentage of shares
owned, is not an interested party of its subsidiary’s recorded lien or title of record
because the parent corporation is merely a shareholder of its subsidiary
corporation; it does not own the corporate property of its subsidiary.
County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding Claims for Excess Proceeds Page 13
ii. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
A claimant making a claim on behalf of a limited liability company must
provide proof claimant is a manager or officer of the limited liability company
who has authority to make a claim on behalf of the company. The documentation
also must show the legal standing of the limited liability company. Suggested
documents include the following:
a. Company’s resolution.
b. Company’s operating agreement.
c. Articles of Organization.
d. The most recent Statement of Information filed with the Secretary of State (or
equivalent from state in which business operates). If the business e-filed the
Statement of Information, provide a copy of the Statement of Information and a
copy of the payment receipt provided by the Secretary of State.
e. Certificate of Dissolution, if applicable.
f. Other documents that prove claimant is a manager or officer of the limited
liability company.
iii. LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
A claimant making a claim on behalf of a limited partnership must provide
proof that claimant is a general partner of the limited partnership who has
authority to make a claim on behalf of the partnership. The documentation also must
show the legal standing of the limited partnership. Suggested documents include the
following:
a. Certificate of Limited Partnership filed with the California Secretary of State
(or equivalent from state in which business operates). If the business e-filed,
provide a copy of the document and a copy of the payment receipt provided by
the California Secretary of State.
b. Partnership Agreement.
c. Certificate of Dissolution.
d. Other documents that prove that the claimant is a general partner of the Limited
Partnership.
iv. GENERAL PARTNERSHIP
A claimant making a claim on behalf of a general partnership must provide
proof that claimant is a general partner of the general partnership who has
County of Contra Costa Policy Regarding Claims for Excess Proceeds Page 14
authority to make a claim on behalf of the partnership. The documentation also must
show the legal standing of the general partnership. Suggested documents include the
following:
a. Statement of Partnership Authority.
b. Partnership Agreement.
c. Certificate of Dissolution, if applicable.
d. Other documents if they prove claimant is a general partner of the general
partnership.
v. SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
A claimant making a claim on behalf of a sole proprietorship must provide the
following documentation:
a. Current or final federal tax return, including Schedule C.
b. Most current business license or facility permit.
c. Fictitious Business Name filing (filed with County), if applicable.
d. Other documents if they prove that claimant is the sole proprietor of the
business.
vi. MERGED BUSINESS
If you are making a claim for a business that has merged with or sold to another business,
please provide a copy of the merger or purchase agreement, along with the other
required information.
vii. SUSPENDED BUSINESS
If you are claiming for a business that was previously suspended by either the California
Secretary of State or the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB), provide proof that the
business is no longer suspended, which may include:
a. A Certificate of Good Standing if the business was suspended by the California
Secretary of State. You can obtain the certificate by contacting the California
Secretary of State Information Services Office at (916) 657-5448, or by following
the instructions located on the California Secretary of State’s website.
b. A copy of an Entity Status Letter if the business was suspended by the FTB.
You can obtain the letter by contacting the FTB at: Franchise Tax Board, P.O.
Box 942857, Sacramento, CA 94244-2250, or by visiting the FTB’s website.