Canton Township Unclaimed Money

Canton Township residents can search for unclaimed money through Michigan's free statewide database and through Wayne County for any tax-related funds. Sources include dormant bank accounts, old insurance policies, forgotten utility deposits, and uncashed refund checks. Canton Township has no local income tax. Wayne County handles delinquent property taxes and surplus funds from tax foreclosure sales using a process that differs from most Michigan counties.

Michigan State Unclaimed Property

Michigan's Department of Treasury holds unclaimed funds reported by banks, employers, insurance companies, and utilities. There is no time limit for claiming your money. The state program has returned more than $675 million to Michigan residents. Searching is free.

The statewide database is at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov.

Type your last name into the search box. The site shows any records held in your name. If you find a match, click through to file a claim and verify your identity. For larger claims, the state may ask for additional documents. Contact the state at (517) 636-5320 or TreasUPD@michigan.gov with questions. Canton Township has grown quickly over the past two decades and many former residents have since moved, leaving accounts behind. Searching under past names and former addresses is worth the time.

Common Fund Types

Businesses report accounts dormant for three years. This covers bank accounts, payroll checks, stock dividends, security deposits, and utility deposits. Life insurance proceeds are reported after three years of no contact with beneficiaries. Safe deposit box contents come to the state after five years of no payment on the rental. Former Canton residents who now live elsewhere can still file claims for Michigan-held funds.

Canton Township Treasurer

The Charter Township of Canton has its own Treasurer who handles property tax billing, collections, and township financial accounts. There is no income tax in Canton Township. Property taxes are billed twice a year: summer taxes are typically due by July 31 and winter taxes are due by February 14. The Township Treasurer also manages water and sewer billing for parts of the township.

The township's website is at canton-mi.org.

The Canton Township website provides access to tax account lookup, utility payments, and financial office contacts for residents.

If you believe the township owes you a refund for overpaid property taxes or a utility deposit that was never returned, contact Treasurer Dian Slavens directly by phone or email. Provide your parcel ID or account number and the relevant tax year. If a refund check was mailed and never cashed, it will eventually appear in Michigan's statewide unclaimed property database.

Wayne County Treasurer

Canton Township property taxes that go unpaid transfer to Wayne County Treasurer Eric R. Sabree's office after March 1. The county takes over collection and charges interest. If taxes remain unpaid for three years, the property can enter foreclosure under MCL 211.78.

Wayne County's online portal for delinquent taxes is at pta.waynecounty.com. Search by property address or parcel number to see any outstanding balance. For questions, call (313) 224-5990. See the full Wayne County unclaimed money page for more details.

If you are behind on Canton Township taxes and worried about foreclosure, contact Wayne County early. The county may have payment plan options. The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund at michigan.gov/mihaf may also help with grants up to $25,000 if your delinquency stems from pandemic hardship.

Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds: Wayne County Form 6156

Wayne County uses a process for surplus fund claims that is different from most other Michigan counties. Canton Township property owners whose homes were foreclosed and sold at auction need to follow the Wayne County rules, not the standard statewide process.

The 2020 Michigan Supreme Court ruling in Rafaeli LLC v Oakland County, decided July 17, 2020, confirmed that former owners have a right to surplus proceeds from tax foreclosure sales. But Wayne County has its own form and its own deadlines.

Wayne County Surplus Claim Steps

• Obtain Form 6156 from Wayne County. Wayne County uses Form 6156, not the Form 5743 used in most other Michigan counties.
• The form must be notarized before you submit it.
• Submit the completed, notarized Form 6156 to Wayne County by March 31. This deadline is earlier than what most other counties require.
• Wayne County will notify you by July 1 whether surplus funds from your former property's sale are available.
• If funds are available, file a motion with the 3rd Circuit Court by October 1.

The March 31 deadline is not flexible. If you miss it, you lose your claim for that year's cycle. Do not wait to check whether a surplus exists. Call Wayne County at (313) 224-5990 and ask them to pull the sale record for your parcel number.

Free help completing and filing Form 6156 is available from the United Community Housing Coalition. Their Tax Foreclosure Hotline is (313) 725-4560. They serve all of Wayne County, including Canton Township. Call them if you are unsure how to fill out the form or whether a surplus exists for your parcel.

Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline

Michigan uses a three-year process before a property can be foreclosed for unpaid taxes.

• Year 1, March 1: Taxes become delinquent. A 4% administration fee is added, plus 1% per month in interest.
• Year 2, March 1: The property enters forfeiture status. Formal proceedings begin and options to redeem become limited.
• Year 3, April 1: Foreclosure is finalized. The county takes title and can sell the property at auction.

At any stage before the final foreclosure date, the owner can pay the full balance to stop the process. Once the property sells, the only remedy is a surplus claim if the sale exceeded the tax debt. Acting early is always better.

Legal Aid Resources

Canton Township residents can get free or low-cost help with unclaimed money and tax foreclosure surplus issues from these organizations.

• Michigan Legal Help: michiganlegalhelp.org has self-help guides on unclaimed property, tax foreclosure, and surplus fund claims. A good place to start.
• State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service: Call (800) 968-0738 or visit lrs.michbar.org to find a local attorney for property or tax matters.
• Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF): Visit michigan.gov/mihaf for grants up to $25,000 for homeowners who fell behind on taxes due to pandemic hardship.
• United Community Housing Coalition (UCHC): (313) 725-4560. Free help with Wayne County's Form 6156 process specifically.

For larger surplus fund claims, a private attorney who handles tax foreclosure cases is worth consulting. Many take these cases on contingency with no upfront cost to you.

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