Article
Delaware targets companies: VDA outreach invitations
Feb. 13, 2026 · Authored by Cathleen Bucholtz, Matthew Chenowth
Delaware has announced that it will be renewing its efforts to bring companies into compliance with its unclaimed property laws by issuing a new round of invitations for companies to participate in the Delaware Voluntary Disclosure Agreement Program (DE VDA Program) administered by the Delaware Secretary of State’s (SOS) office.
Notification dates
According to the Delaware SOS website, the following are the approximate dates in the upcoming calendar year when invitations will be sent out for the DE VDA Program.
- April 10, 2026
- Aug. 14, 2026
Companies that are incorporated in Delaware, or which are doing significant business in the State, are at a higher risk of receiving these invitations over the next few months.
Delaware VDA invitations
While the notices from Delaware are referred to as “invitations,” companies receiving a DE VDA Program letter should be aware that Delaware’s unclaimed property statutes provide that before the State can initiate an unclaimed property audit, a company must first receive an invitation to participate in the DE VDA Program. Therefore, companies should not ignore these notices, as any company that does not respond and accept the invitation within the 90-day window, or chooses not to participate in the DE VDA Program, is almost guaranteed be subject to an unclaimed property audit by the State.
If a company accepts the DE VDA Program invitation, the SOS will work with the company through a third-party firm to administer the DE VDA with state oversight.
The benefits to a company participating in the DE VDA Program, versus being subject to an audit, include shortened look-back periods, greater flexibility in determining the scope of the State’s review and the waiver of penalties and interest on past-due liabilities.
If your company receives a DE VDA Program invitation, or has any other unclaimed property related questions, please reach out to a member of the Baker Tilly unclaimed property management team for guidance and assistance.
Related sections
The information provided here is of a general nature and is not intended to address the specific circumstances of any individual or entity. In specific circumstances, the services of a professional should be sought. Tax information, if any, contained in this communication was not intended or written to be used by any person for the purpose of avoiding penalties, nor should such information be construed as an opinion upon which any person may rely. The intended recipients of this communication and any attachments are not subject to any limitation on the disclosure of the tax treatment or tax structure of any transaction or matter that is the subject of this communication and any attachments.