Florida Statute 197.582 governs the process for claiming surplus funds from tax deed sales. The statute states that if a property is purchased for more than the statutory bid, the clerk must pay and disburse the surplus. The clerk will then issue a "Notice of Surplus Funds From Tax Deed Sale" to all relevant parties.
According to Florida Statute 45.033, the owner of record of real property on the date of filing a lis pendens is the person entitled to surplus funds. This is after payment of subordinate lien holders who have timely filed a claim.
STATE STATUTES
"It's your money!"
Alabama
Section 40-10-28
Disposition of excess arising from sale.
(a)(1) The excess arising from the sale of any real estate remaining after paying the amount of the decree of sale, including costs and expenses subsequently accruing, shall be paid over to a person or entity who has redeemed the property as authorized in Section 40-10-120 or any other provisions of Alabama law authorizing redemption from a tax sale, provided proof that the person or entity requesting payment of the excess has properly redeemed the property is presented to the county commission within three years after the tax sale has occurred. The county commission may retain any interest earned on those funds. Until and unless the property is redeemed, the excess funds from the tax sale shall be held in a separate account in the county treasury during the three-year period. If at the end of the three-year period there has been no proper request for the excess funds, those funds and any interest earned on those funds shall be deposited to the credit of the general fund of the county and shall thereafter be treated as part of the general fund of the county. text here...
Alaska Surplus Funds Laws
"If the proceeds of the sale of tax-foreclosed property exceed the total of unpaid and delinquent taxes, penalty, interest, and costs, the municipality shall provide the former owner of the property written notice advising of the amount of the excess and the manner in which a claim for the balance of the proceeds may be submitted."
Redemption period: None
Alaska text here...
Arkansas Surplus Funds Laws
"(2) (A) After payment is made to the Commissioner of State Lands pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) of this section, the amount left in the remaining funds shall be paid to the former owners of the tax-delinquent land."
Redemption period: 30 Days
Arkansas text here...
California Surplus Funds Laws
"(a) Any party of interest in the property may file with the county a claim for the excess proceeds, in proportion to that person’s interest held with others of equal priority in the property at the time of sale, at any time prior to the expiration of one year following the recordation of the tax collector’s deed to the purchaser."
Redemption period: None. 1 Year Waiting Period
Connecticut Surplus Funds Laws
"(i) (1) If the sale realizes an amount in excess of the amount needed to pay all delinquent taxes, interest, penalties, fees, and costs, the amount of the excess shall be held in an interest-bearing escrow account separate from all other accounts of the municipality."
Redemption period: 2 to 6 Months
Florida