unclaimed dividends

[D Hill]

Dividend checks were mailed to an old address between November 2013 and Nov 2019 in California. I was sent  notices for each dividend check (19 total) from the California State Controller's office all the notices arrived the at the same time in 2024. Long story short I called Computershare who was holding the funds and they issued me a check for the total amount. Now I am tying to get a 1099div which is proving difficult.                                        Question 1: do I need include this on my 2024 income? Pretty sure I do....                                                                      Question 2: do I need a 1099 div or W-2                                                                                                                                Question 3: I now live in Washington state where I first found out about the funds and received the check. Do I need to pay taxes in California? 

[AmyC · Accepted solution]

1. Yes, you received the income in 2024 so it goes on the 2024 return.

2. If the dividends are all ordinary, then you can enter it as other income. 

3. No, the income is not CA sourced and you are not  a CA resident. If you needed to amend, then CA would get a share.

The IRS may ask why you didn't report these in prior years. You have a great story. Keep proof of your records and show that you did report them when received.

Follow these steps to enter the income:

1. go to the federal income section
2. scroll to the bottom
3. Miscellaneous Income, 1099-A, 1099-C, Start
4. Scroll to the bottom
5. Other reportable income, Start
6. Other taxable income?
7. Select YES
8. Description  -1099-DIV from prior years received in 2024
9. Amount, enter your total amount 
10. Continue

[D Hill]

Thank you. I will check with the company I retired from to try to get copies of 1099's they may have mailed to my old address as well. Best case scenario I will ask if the dividends had been reported as income on my W-2 and therefore taxes may have already been paid. Probably not but worth a shot.

[AmyC]

Dividends aren't generally reported on your w2. Good luck!

[D Hill]

Usually true but in this case the restricted stock was actually retention stock that the dividends were being paid from. I looked back on my stubs as far as I could and did see quarterly dividends on my 2019 paystubs and that would have been the last year I received them. That entire retention stock award was taxed when it vested. I do realize however the dividend is a gain that would also be taxed but hope my company can verify it was taxed as regular income as mentioned above. Thanks