Iowa

Iowa’s unclaimed property program is administered by the Iowa State Treasurer's Office under Chapter 556 of the Iowa Code. Whether you're managing dormant accounts or uncashed vendor checks, understanding the law is essential for smooth operations and customer reassurance.

Overview of Iowa’s Unclaimed Property Law

Under Iowa’s unclaimed property statute, businesses and organizations (referred to as “holders”) are required to report and remit certain types of property that have remained unclaimed for a specific period. These typically include:

• Bank accounts (including savings and checking)
• Payroll and vendor checks
• Dividends and securities
• Insurance benefits
• Utility deposits
• Safe deposit box contents

When property becomes “dormant,” holders must first complete due diligence by attempting to contact the rightful owner before submitting a report to the state. For a broader breakdown, see our overview of escheatment compliance.

Iowa Dormancy Periods

Dormancy periods in Iowa vary by property type, most commonly ranging from 1 to 5 years. Below is a breakdown of typical dormancy timelines and their NAUPA codes:

For a full set of dormancy triggers, visit the Iowa Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property page or check out our escheatment laws by state guide.

Due Diligence Requirements in Iowa

Before filing your report, Iowa requires businesses to attempt to contact property owners. This shows compliance and provides a chance to reconnect customers with their assets.

The due diligence process must include:

• Sending a first-class mail notice to the last known address of the property owner for accounts valued at $50 or more.
• This notice needs to be sent at least 30 days prior to filing the report.
• Though not mandatory, additional outreach, such as email or phone calls, can strengthen your compliance posture and audit readiness.

Eisen’s Escheat Mail Management platform helps streamline and track this communication process.

Iowa Reporting Deadlines and Requirements

Filing escheatment reports with Iowa follows a consistent annual timeline:

• Report Period: July 1 - June 30
• Report and Payment Deadline: November 1

Additional information:

• Electronic reporting is required for reports containing 10 or more properties and must follow NAUPA format
• Remit payment either by ACH, wire transfer, or check
• Negative reports are not required

Iowa’s Voluntary Disclosure Program

Iowa does not offer a Voluntary Disclosure Agreement (VDA). However, Iowa provides report extensions with prior approval. These extensions must be requested in writing before the reporting deadline. For more details, refer to the Iowa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Learn more about maintaining compliance with our unclaimed property guide.

How Eisen Helps You Stay Compliant in Iowa

Iowa’s escheatment rules may appear straightforward, but managing deadlines, documentation, and due diligence at scale can introduce complexity. Eisen simplifies every phase of the escheatment process, enabling your team to focus on operational goals while staying fully compliant.

Our suite of tools includes:

• Escheatment Manager: Automatically detects dormant accounts and generates Iowa-compliant reports
• Outreach Manager: Schedules and tracks due diligence notices to improve owner reunification rates‍
• Disbursement Manager: Facilitates addressable payments through ACH, checks, and wires—with full audit tracking‍
• Escheat Mail Management: Optimizes outbound communication to ensure notices are sent accurately and on time

Turn Iowa Compliance Into a Business Advantage

Compliance in Iowa doesn’t need to slow you down. Eisen helps make escheatment not just manageable but strategic—removing complexity while helping you protect your brand, your audit record, and your customer relationships.

With our team and technology at your side, you can transform escheatment into a seamless part of your operations.

For more state-specific comparisons, explore how Iowa’s rules stack up in our guide to escheatment laws by state. If you're managing aged disbursements, you might also find our guide to the escheatment process for outstanding checks particularly helpful.