President & Founder
PEACC – Property Escheatment And Compliance Consulting
Oct 2002 – Present · 22 yrs 1 moOct 2002 to Present · 22 yrs 1 mo
Sykesville, MarylandSykesville, Maryland
Market and perform unclaimed property consulting services for corporations throughout the United States looking to get in compliance with all State unclaimed property reporting obligations. This includes Voluntary Disclosure Agreements (VDA’s), Audit Defense, Unclaimed Property Report Generation, Due Diligence, Policy & Procedures Development/Review, Property Recovery and Compliance Seminars & Trainings.
Today unclaimed property consists of intangible property, such as dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, unreturned deposits and credit balances. Unclaimed property normally falls under two separate categories, either general ledger property types, or securities related property.
Lower dormancy periods for certain property types.
︎ Additional property types to be address. ~ For example: Digital Assets & Cryptocurrency. • more & more states will require certain property types to be liquidated prior to reporting. • Current states who require account liquidation prior to reporting. (Colorado, Maryland, North Dakota, South Dakota & Rhode Island) • Current states who DO NOT require liquidation prior to reporting. (Arizona & Oregon) ~ Payment apps and virtual wallets. ~ Sports betting accounts
︎ Stricter enforcement of due diligence/search letter mailings. ~ Some States require specific wording, heading & timeliness in the letter. ~ Be aware of any early outreach obligations. ~ Auditors are increasingly asking for copies of due diligence letters and proof letters are being mailed to Owners.
For additional information and specifics on the upcoming year’s unclaimed property issues, please contact a professional at PEACC.com by calling 410.303.5510 or email us at info@peacc.com
Call PEACC for Compliance 410.303.5510
2026 State Escheatment Trends January 19th, 2026peaccadmin
As we transition into 2026, state-level enforcement of Unclaimed Property (UP) laws has reached a critical point. Following the aggressive expansion of auditing efforts in late 2025, the regulatory environment is characterized by increased specialization, third-party oversight, and a “no-exit” approach to voluntary compliance. Organizations must prioritize the formalization of their internal procedures to mitigate significant financial and legal exposure.
I. Enforcement Trends & Market Landscape
The landscape of unclaimed property is no longer a secondary administrative concern; it has become a “state compliance battleground.”
Sustained Enforcement Growth: The momentum gained in the second half of 2025 will carry through 2026 and beyond. States are no longer just looking for major corporations but are increasingly specialized in targeting middle-market organizations across all sectors.
Third-Party Auditor Integration: Enforcement efforts are frequently outsourced to third-party auditing firms. These firms often operate on a contingency basis, providing a strong financial incentive to conduct deep, multi-year investigations into a Holder’s historical records.
Data-Driven Targeting: States are utilizing more sophisticated data-sharing techniques between tax authorities and state controllers to identify non-filers or organizations with inconsistent reporting histories.
II. Audit Specifics & Operational Requirements
The rise in state-mandated compliance reviews and self-audits places a heavy administrative burden on internal IT and accounting teams.
The Self-Audit Rise: “Invitations” to participate in self-audits are becoming more common. While they appear less confrontational than a full audit, they are legally significant.
Strict Compliance Windows: Organizations typically have a narrow window (usually 90 to 180 days) to complete a self-audit. Failure to respond or provide a sufficient review can immediately trigger a full, involuntary third-party audit.
Policies & Procedures Mandate: Auditors now routinely demand a written copy of the Holder’s Unclaimed Property Policies & Procedures. This document must detail how the organization identifies, tracks, and remits property, as well as its “Due Diligence” mailing protocols.
III. Voluntary Compliance Programs (VCP)
VCPs offer a pathway to mitigate penalties, but they come with permanent commitments.
Increased Outreach: Throughout 2026, states will expand outreach for Voluntary Compliance Programs (VCPs). These programs often offer the benefit of waiving interest and penalties for past-due property.
No Release Provision: It is critical to understand that once a Holder is successfully entered into a VCP, there is no release from the process. Organizations must see the process through to completion, which often involves a 10-year lookback period and mandatory staff training.
For further information regarding reports or unclaimed property compliance issues, please contact the professionals at PEACC by calling 410.303.5510 or email us at info@peacc.com
Call PEACC for Compliance 410.303.5510
2026 Expectations in the Unclaimed Property World December 19th, 2025peaccadmin
More than 40 educational sessions spanning four educational tracks (basic, intermediate, advanced, and special focus).
Social events/outings, meals and breaks designed to help attendees connect.
Opportunities to meet with presenters/exhibitors throughout the conference to learn about the services that can help your company’s unclaimed property program.
Industry-specific breakout sessions that feature updates about hot topics plus Q&A with the presenters and other attendees.
Register by Jan. 15, 2026, for the special, early-bird rate.
“In my thirty years of consulting, I’ve learned that the unclaimed property landscape is constantly shifting, and this conference is the one place where you can actually get ahead of the curve rather than just reacting to it. It’s not just about the sessions it’s about the information you get from the Q&A and the industry breakouts. I’ve found that the ‘hallway consulting’ during meals and the connections made with exhibitors are often just as valuable as the lectures; finding one right vendor or hearing one peer’s strategy for an audit can save your company significantly more than the cost of the trip. If you are serious about mitigating risk and running a defensible escheat program, you need to be in the room, and locking in that early-bird rate by January 15, 2026, is just smart business.” D. Patrick Healy
Questions? Contact UPPO.org at 763-253-4340 or visit uppo.uppo@org for further information.
Note: This is the same Unclaimed Property Conference at UPPO Conference 2025.
2026 Annual UPPO Conference Highlights December 16th, 2025peaccadmin
A successful unclaimed property reporting process includes these important steps:
– Identify all unclaimed intangible property. – Determine which State the property is reportable to. – Calculate the proper dormancy period for each property type. – Review for any property that may be exempt under current State law. – Perform all State required Due Diligence/Search Letter functions. – Review, generate & submit State reports & the remittance in the required formats and timeframes. – Update/document all records related to property reported.
For further clarification on the State unclaimed property reporting process please reach out to a professional at PEACC.com by calling 410.303.5510 or email us at info@peacc.com
Call PEACC for Compliance 410.303.5510
A Successful Unclaimed Property Reporting Process October 17th, 2025peaccadmin
Ask yourself the following twelve questions to determine if your company is a candidate for the dreaded “Unclaimed Property Audit” by either a state or state sponsored (third-party) unclaimed property auditor
Whenever you inquire about Holder and their unclaimed property reporting, their responses are normally: – We don’t have any unclaimed property to report or remit. – We already file our unclaimed property reports, but they are normally negative/zero reports (reports showing nothing to report). – Our outstanding checks list have been reviewed and none of them reflect any outstanding checks. – Any small dollar amount outstanding checks (ie. < $5.00) are written off.
Any of these myths can increase your risk of an unclaimed property audit.
For further clarification on any unclaimed property compliance issues, please reach out to a professional at PEACC.com at 410.303.5510 or email us at info@peacc.com
Call PEACC for Compliance 410.303.5510
What Are the Holder/Companies Beliefs When it Comes to Unclaimed Property Reporting? October 20th, 2025peaccadmin
Your Total Source for Unclaimed Property Compliance
