Best Practices for State Engagement of Private Unclaimed Property Auditors

By and on April 29, 2014

The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform has released a report detailing current problems with states using private companies for unclaimed property audits and paying those auditors based on the amount recovered.  The report begins with an example of what can go wrong when private auditors are paid on a contingent basis.  The nightmare story of what many life insurance companies recently experienced is well worth the read by anyone who thinks that because their company has been diligently complying with unclaimed property laws, there can’t be any risk from an audit.

After reviewing the issues, the U.S. Chamber suggests several, eminently achievable, reforms.  These reforms include:

  • Prohibiting contingency fees;
  • Requiring all state contracts for private audit services to be subject to an open, competitive bidding process;
  • Requiring all such contracts to be posted on the unclaimed property administrator’s website; and
  • No delegation of state authority to private contractor on substantive decision-making, such as legal theories.

The report also offers suggestions that states provide voluntary disclosure programs with certain protections for participating holders.

Practice Note: Over a decade ago, several attorneys with McDermott’s SALT practice, while working at the Counsel On State Taxation (COST), drafted a Holder’s Bill of Rights.  While Delaware was one of the main proponents of the concept, it did not get any traction in other states.  The current negative impression many holders have regarding third-party contingency fee unclaimed property auditors could have been limited, and perhaps prevented, if states had embraced this idea.  It is probably time to consider this concept.  If third-party auditors offered such a pledge to holders, audits would be far less adversarial and be completed much faster.

Diann Smith
Diann Smith focuses her practice on state and local taxation and unclaimed property advocacy. Diann advises clients at any stage of an issue, including planning, compliance, controversy, financial statement issues and legislative activity. Her goal is to find the most effective method to achieve a client's objective regardless of when or how an issue arises. Diann emphasizes the importance of defining a client's objective - whether it is finality of a frequently audited issue, quick resolution of a stand-alone tax liability, or avoiding competitive disadvantages in the application of a tax. The defined objective then governs the choice of the path to a solution. Read Diann Smith's full bio.


Stephen P. Kranz
Stephen (Steve) P. Kranz is a tax lawyer who solves tax problems differently. Over the course of his extensive career, Steve has acquired specific skills and developed a unique approach that helps clients develop and implement holistic solutions to all varieties of tax problems. He combines strategic thinking with effective skills for the courtroom, the statehouse and the conference room. Read Stephen Kranz's full bio.

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