March 16, 2000 -- Because the federal income tax is the biggest and usually the first tax we see listed on our pay stubs, we naturally tend to focus on it.

But state government takes a bite out of our spending money, too. Bankrate will help you stay on top of what your localities are collecting -- income, sales, personal property or investment taxes, or often a combination of all.

Here's a look at some recent tax actions across the nation.

Colorado looking to give out millions
DENVER -- State Treasurer Mike Coffman is searching for Coloradans, but this time he wants to give them money instead of collect it.

Coffman's office has more than $100 million in unclaimed assets that residents have overlooked, from long-forgotten bank accounts to stock and dividend payments. In fact, Coffman himself discovered that he was due $30 from an uncashed state trade voucher.

On March 13, the state added another 32,000 names to its list of those owed unclaimed assets. There are now more than 500,000 potential claimants.

Colorado has returned more than $100 million since the program began in 1987, with some businesses cashing in on overlooked assets of more than $1 million. The largest individual payback so far was $225,000.

State treasury officials note that once a name is added to the list, it doesn't come off until the owed money is collected. Occasionally the office seeks out someone, like the man they tracked down because he was due $39,000 in 117 uncashed checks.

But most people have to check the list. To see if your name is on the list or to download claim forms, visit the Great Colorado Payback Web site.

Not a Coloradan, but would like some free cash anyway? Check out bankrate.com's nationwide directory of unclaimed assets and how to claim them.

The measure, which takes effect in 2001, completes the phasing in of property tax reductions for farmers, ranchers and homeowners. Since the first cuts in 1995, property taxes have been reduced by a total of 30 percent at a cost of about $120 million to the South Dakota treasury.

Under the new law, the general tax levy per $1,000 of taxable value for agricultural property will fall from $4.70 to $3.33. Taxes on owner-occupied homes will be reduced to $5.36 per $1,000 valuation from the current $7.56.

The governor's office notes that previously passed limits on county spending, combined with the South Dakota's economic growth, mean that commercial property owners also will get a break in 2001. Next year the tax rate for commercial property will go down to $13.93 per $1,000 value. It now stands at $16.15.

Pennsylvania homeowners may get tax rebate
HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania House unanimously approved a one-time tax rebate for Pennsylvania's 3.3 million homeowners. The bill now goes to the state Senate, where leaders say passage is expected.

Each resident who owned and lived in his home as of July 1, 1999, would get a rebate of $100. The rebates, however, will be subject to federal taxes, meaning the final net per household will average around $70.

In addition to costing the state $330 million in rebate money, Pennsylvania expects to spend another $10 million to carry out the program.

Nation's capital gets help in finding tax cheats
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The District of Columbia has hired a private company to recover the almost $10 million a year it says it loses to tax cheats.

Next month, MBIA MuniServices of Philadelphia will start contacting District businesses and individuals who haven't paid their taxes. The initial call, D.C. officials say, will offer assistance but also make it clear that neglected taxes must be paid.

This is the latest step by the District to improve its tax collection. Since 1997, $250 million a year has been added to the city's tax base from improved collections and tougher enforcement, according to D.C. tax chief Natwar M. Gandhi. The capital city is looking to pick up the $150 million to $200 million it still is owed, Gandhi says.

MBIA will get to keep 30 percent of any unpaid taxes that it collects for the District.