When a property is sold at a Athens-Clarke County tax sale for more than the delinquent taxes, penalties, and costs owed, the leftover money (called excess funds, surplus funds, or overage) is held in escrow by the Tax Commissioner. Under O.C.G.A. ยง 48-4-5, that money legally belongs to the former owner (or their heirs and certain lienholders), not the county and not the tax-sale buyer. Below is every record from the county's current published list.
Athens-Clarke County excess funds list (July 15, 2026)
| Former owner | Overage owed | Parcel / Map # | Property address | Sale date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Socha, Raymond J | $49,197.34 | 043B1 008 | 170 Old Cleveland Rd | 9/7/2021 | Unclaimed |
| Porter, Bobby Jean & Johnson, Geraldine | $34,321.24 | 044C2 B003 | 235 Marlborough Downs Rd | 12/2/2025 | Partially claimed |
| Harris, Adelle R Estate | $32,704.71 | 122D2 F012 | 760 Dearing St | 4/5/2022 | Unclaimed |
| Sandoval, Sergio H | $22,352.52 | 164C4 D006 | 529 N Peter St | 6/2/2026 | Unclaimed |
| Mckinney, Elizabeth L | $20,096.32 | 122C1 A002 | Magnolia Ter | 6/2/2026 | Unclaimed |
| Robinson, Willie M | $15,322.72 | 223 012G | 255 Sanders Rd | 12/2/2025 | Unclaimed |
| Johnson, Arthur & Arthur Johnson, Jr | $15,163.10 | 164C4 D026 | 120 Booker St | 12/7/2021 | Unclaimed |
| Lester, Lottie Bell | $12,034.82 | 172A2 A017 | Carver Dr | 6/2/2026 | Unclaimed |
| Teasley, Ella | $11,639.94 | 164C3 G004 | 185 Water Oak St | 4/5/2022 | Unclaimed |
| Varnum, Yvonda Rochelle | $11,504.38 | 212 011A | 1393 Hull Rd | 12/2/2025 | Unclaimed |
| Johnson, Arthur | $11,230.57 | 172C2 B014 | 147 Dublin St | 3/3/2026 | Unclaimed |
| Gresham, Willie W & Cora Lee Gresham | $9,317.24 | 232A A036 | 105 Sartain Dr | 7/1/2025 | Unclaimed |
| Halliday, Katie | $8,721.47 | 232A A009 | 275 Sartain Dr | 9/7/2021 | Unclaimed |
| Huntington Road Partners, Llc | $8,267.28 | 073 009Q | 350 Jennings Mill Pkwy | 7/2/2024 | Unclaimed |
| Eberhart, Bertha Estate | $7,712.17 | 122B3 D007 | 1460 W Hancock Ave | 3/7/2023 | Unclaimed |
| Adams, Mary L | $7,410.68 | 163B3 F039 | 193 Bremond St | 6/2/2026 | Unclaimed |
| Sow, Ibrahima | $5,858.50 | 121B4 B022 | 145 Hawthorne Ext | 12/2/2025 | Unclaimed |
| Mckinley, Rowena | $5,454.49 | 231B 009 | 1135 Spring Valley Rd | 12/7/2021 | Unclaimed |
| Walton, Wilbur, Jr | $4,670.81 | 121D2 E009 | 165 Helen St | 6/2/2026 | Unclaimed |
| Hitchcock, Lerosy | $4,410.72 | 152 011A | 4085 Smokey Rd | 12/7/2021 | Unclaimed |
| Middlebrooks, Chester & Lizzie Mae Berry | $4,144.19 | 172B3 B006A | 369 Vine St | 9/7/2021 | Partially claimed |
| Thompson, A P (Aka Alvin) & Lizzie | $3,620.27 | 231B 019A | 1076 Spring Valley Rd | 6/6/2023 | Partially claimed |
| Thomas, Florine Sanders | $2,963.71 | 172C2 E030A | E Broad St | 12/7/2021 | Unclaimed |
| Jarrell, Ruby Lee | $2,328.13 | 163D1 E012 | 169 Bremond St | 8/2/2022 | Unclaimed |
| P&A Ventures, Inc | $2,148.69 | 112A2 B099 | 630 Club Dr | 12/3/2024 | Unclaimed |
| Red Oak Development, Inc | $2,123.39 | 224 007A | 1313 Spring Valley Rd | 12/7/2021 | Unclaimed |
| Davis, G. O. Davis Estate | $1,240.55 | 164C4 F001 | 206 Moreland Ave | 8/4/2020 | Unclaimed |
| Kelley, Ronald G | $1,001.46 | 224C1 B002 | 1427 Murrell Rd | 12/7/2021 | Unclaimed |
| Ellis, Thomas C Iii | $897.44 | 172A3 C001F | Mulberry St | 12/6/2022 | Unclaimed |
| Jordan, Willie F Jr | $474.85 | 705 Spring Valley Rd, Lot 263 | 11/4/2025 | Unclaimed | |
| Williams, Jennifer Lynn | $426.97 | 064D4 A002F | 331 Westchester Dr | 6/6/2023 | Unclaimed |
| P&A Ventures, Inc | $122.36 | 112A2 D099 | 385 Nassau Ln | 10/1/2024 | Unclaimed |
Source: Tax Commissioner, Excess Funds List. Amounts are the county-published overage at time of sale; balances change as claims are paid. Verify current status with the county before filing.
How to claim excess funds in Athens-Clarke County
- Confirm you are on the list. Find your name (or the prior owner's, if you are an heir) in the table above and note the parcel and sale date.
- Write your claim. Prepare a written statement of the basis of your claim: that you were the owner at the time of sale (or an heir or lienholder with a recorded interest).
- Sign and notarize it, and gather a valid government-issued photo ID plus supporting documents (warranty deed, security deed, assignments, power of attorney).
- Submit to the Tax Commissioner at Athens-Clarke County Tax Commissioner, P.O. Box 1868, Athens, GA 30603.
- Respond to any follow-up. Claims are reviewed by counsel; you may be asked for additional documentation before disbursement.
Do it yourself, or get help?
Most straightforward owner claims can be filed directly with the county for free, and you never have to pay anyone to get your own money. For estates, tangled liens, out-of-state heirs, or interpleader cases, some people prefer a surplus-recovery specialist or attorney who handles the paperwork for a fee (commonly 10% to 30%).
Frequently asked questions
Are there really unclaimed surplus funds in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia?
Yes. As of July 15, 2026, the published excess funds list for Athens-Clarke County shows 32 tax-sale surplus records totaling $318,883.03, of which about $276,797.33 across 29 records is still unclaimed. Surplus (excess) funds are created when a property sells at a tax sale for more than the taxes and costs owed; the difference legally belongs to the former owner or their heirs.
How do I claim excess funds from a Athens-Clarke County tax sale?
Request the claim form from the Tax Commissioner. Submit a written, signed, and notarized claim to the Tax Commissioner stating the basis of your claim, along with a valid photo ID, at Athens-Clarke County Tax Commissioner, P.O. Box 1868, Athens, GA 30603. Include supporting documents such as deeds, assignments, or powers of attorney.
How long do I have to claim surplus funds in Georgia?
In Georgia, tax-sale excess funds are generally held by the county for up to 5 years before they transfer to the state unclaimed property division. Claiming sooner is always better.
Do I have to pay a recovery company to claim my money?
No. You can file a claim directly with the county for free. Recovery firms and attorneys can handle the paperwork for a fee (commonly 10% to 30%), which some owners prefer for estate, lien, or interpleader situations, but it is never required.
What does "interpleader filed" mean on the list?
When there are competing or conflicting claims, the county may file an interpleader action with the Superior Court, and a judge decides how the funds are distributed. Reasonable attorney fees and court costs are paid from the excess funds first.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. Records are compiled from publicly available Tax Commissioner filings and may be out of date; balances change as claims are processed. Always verify current status directly with the county. We are a data service and do not file claims, represent claimants, or collect funds.