Service des finances
Tax refund cheques sometimes remain uncashed for a variety of reasons: long delays between the challenge of the tax bill and the final judgment (sometimes years); owners have moved; etc. Yet, the amounts involved can be significant.
In 2007, the Service des finances had introduced, at the OdM’s request, a new procedure designed to track down owners who had not cashed a tax refund cheque. Between 2007 and 2015, about 2,000 expired cheques were so re-issued for a total value exceeding $1 million.
In 2018, the OdM discovers that this procedure has not been applied since 2015. We intervene again. The Service des finances estimates that the refunds not cashed in since 2015 would amount to approximately $290,000.
Following our discussions, the Service des finances reinstates the follow-up procedure retroactively to 2015. As of December 18, 2018, cheques valued at about $126,500 were re-issued. The Service des finances will pursue the process in 2019. The OdM will conduct annual follow-ups.
