Unclaimed Property: A Reporting Process and Audit Survival Guide

Does MY company have unclaimed property reportable to any state unclaimed property office?
All companies have unclaimed property. If your company writes checks, issues gift certificates or gift cards, presents employee expense reimbursement checks or issues vendor credits, congratulationsâ you have unclaimed property!
While unclaimed property laws have been on the books in all states for many years, only in the past decade have those laws really been enforced against businesses outside of the banking industry. This practical guide breaks the process down into manageable steps that you can either handle on your own or with the help of a professional in the field. Unclaimed Property: A Reporting Process and Audit Survival Guide shows you what to do, whether:
A former employee comes looking for their "lost" paycheck
Your internal auditor questions how you handle outstanding checks
A state administrator requests information on your company′s unreported unclaimed property
Unclaimed property compliance can become just another process in your company rather than a ticking time bomb buried in your financials, ready to detonate upon audit. A thorough introduction to every aspect of unclaimed property laws, Unclaimed Property: A Reporting Process and Audit Survival Guide will help you understand what unclaimed property is, how the escheat laws apply to your particular circumstance and how to bring your enterprise into compliance with the least amount of manpower and cash outlay possible.

Spis treści:
Preface.
Chapter 1 Four Myths of Unclaimed Property.
Myth 1: "We Don′t Have Unclaimed Property."
Myth 2: "Unclaimed Property Compliance is Voluntary."
Myth 3: "If I Don′t Have Records, the Auditor Can′t Determine Any Unclaimed Property Liability for My Company."
Myth 4: "I Am Only Liable for Reporting Unclaimed Property to States Where I Conduct Business (i.e., Have Nexus)."
Chapter 2 What Is Unclaimed Property?
Purpose of the Unclaimed Property Laws.
Terminology.
What Types of Property Can Become Abandoned Property?
When Does an Item Become Unclaimed Property?
States’ Responsibilities.
Holder’s Responsibilities.
Notes.
Chapter 3 Basics of Unclaimed Property Reporting.
Why You Must Report Your Unclaimed Property.
Determining Your Liability.
Where You May Have a Reporting Obligation: Jurisdiction.
Due Dates, Due Diligence, Aggregates, and Dormancy Periods.
Preparing the Report.
Note.
Chapter 4 Calculating Unclaimed Property Liability.
Gather Your Records.
Identify Your Company’s Unclaimed Property Types.
Determining Your Liability.
You Do Not Have All of the Records for the Audit Period: Determining the Best Estimation Technique for Your Company.
Do Your Due Diligence.
Complete the Final Summary Report and Pay the Money!
Chapter 5 Preparing for and Managing an Unclaimed Property Audit.
Audit Targets: Are You Next?
Offense––Contact the States for a Voluntary Disclosure Agreement.
Beware the Gift Horse.
Where to Start.
Defense––Your Company Has Received Notification of an Audit: Do Not Ignore the Letter!
First Contact.
Recruit Your Team.
Know Your Enemy: Unclaimed Property Auditors.
Audit Timeline.
Records Requests.
Opening Meeting.
Site Visit and Records Analysis.
Closing Meeting.
Final Assessment.
Appeal Process.
Audit Best Practices.
Post–Audit Cleanup.
Notes.
Chapter 6 Developing Unclaimed Property Policies and Procedures.
Compliance Timelines: Due Diligence, Aggregates, and Dormancy Periods.
Content of Due Diligence Letters.
Timing of Due Diligence Mailings.
Aggregates.
Dormancy Periods.
Record Retention Policies.
Managing Your Exceptions and Exemptions.
Intern al Controls: Checks and Balances.
Internal Audits.
Handling a Desk Audit or Fishing Call from a State Auditor′s Office.
Note.
Chapter 7 Exemptions and Exceptions to Unclaimed Property Reporting.
Business–to–Business Exemptions.
Current Business Relationship.
Gift Certificates/Gift Cards.
Gift Card Corporations.
Dormancy Fees.
Customer Credits/Credit Balances.
Tangible Personal Property.
Notes.
Chapter 8 Special Industry Considerations.
Insurance.
Offers to Settle.
Demutualization of Shares.
Banking.
When Is an Account Considered Dormant?
What Fees Can Be Imposed on Dormant Accounts?
Safe–Deposit Boxes.
Money Orders and Traveler′s Checks.
Health Care.
Not–for–Profit Medical Service Providers.
Oil, Gas, Utilities, and Energy.
Oil, Gas, Coal Mining, and Other Mineral Mining Industries.
Utilities.
Utility Co–ops.
Retail.
Customer Loyalty/Incentive Programs.
Gift Certificates/Gift Cards.
Notes.
Chapter 9 Foreign Unclaimed Property Laws.
U.S. Laws on Foreign Escheat.
Indian Reservations.
U.S. Territories.
Other Nations′ Laws.
Canada.
United Kingdom.
Australia.
New Zealand.
Hong Kong.
Notes.
Chapter 10 Selected Legal Issues in Unclaimed Property Audits.
Lack of Nexus as an Audit Defense.
Dormancy Fees and Service Charges.
Expiration Dates and Other Contractual Limitation Periods.
Unclaimed Employee Benefits.
Unclaimed Property of Bankrupt Holders.
Mergers and Acquisitions: Successor Liability.
Asset Acquisitions.
Notes.
Chapter 11 How Not to Be a Victim of Unclaimed Property Fraud.
Psychology of Fraud.
Types of Fraudsters.
Mitigating the Risk of Unclaimed Property Fraud.
Note.
Chapter 12 Trends in Unclaimed Property.
Legislative Trends.
Non–Legislative Trends.
Conclusion.
Appendix A XYZ Corporation: Unclaimed Property Holder Questionnaire.
Appendix B Sample Policy and Procedure Manual.
Appendix C Sample Due Diligence Letter.
Appendix D State Unclaimed Property Office Contacts.
Appendix E Sample Audit Records Request.
Appendix F Summary of Current Gift Certificate Law.
Glossary.
Index.

Nota biograficzna:
Tracey L. Reid, JD, LLM , is President of Reid Unclaimed Property Services LLC. Her company helps businesses of all sizes become compliant with state unclaimed property laws. Prior to forming her own company, she was a manager with a Big 4 accounting firm where she concentrated on unclaimed property.

Okładka tylna:
Does MY company have unclaimed property reportable to any state unclaimed property office?
All companies have unclaimed property. If your company writes checks, issues gift certificates or gift cards, presents employee expense reimbursement checks or issues vendor credits, congratulationsâ you have unclaimed property!
While unclaimed property laws have been on the books in all states for many years, only in the past decade have those laws really been enforced against businesses outside of the banking industry. This practical guide breaks the process down into manageable steps that you can either handle on your own or with the help of a professional in the field. Unclaimed Property: A Reporting Process and Audit Survival Guide shows you what to do, whether:
A former employee comes looking for their "lost" paycheck
Your internal auditor questions how you handle outstanding checks
A state administrator requests information on your company′s unreported unclaimed property
Unclaimed property compliance can become just another process in your company rather than a ticking time bomb buried in your financials, ready to detonate upon audit. A th