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Scam alert

Federal Senior Property Tax Freeze or Form 1098-SR? Neither Exists

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Nationwide · revenue.wi.gov · Arrives by an online video, a social media post, or a phone call

The short answer

There is no federal law that freezes or cuts property taxes for older homeowners, and there is no IRS Form 1098-SR. Videos and posts making that claim have spread since August 2026, and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue says one widely shared video was made with AI. The contact details in these videos lead to scammers, not to a county office, and the goal is your Social Security number, your bank details, or a fee for a filing service that does nothing. Property taxes are set by state and local governments. If you want to know about real relief for older homeowners, call your county assessor or tax office on a number from your tax bill or the county's own website.

What is happening

Since August 2026, county and state tax offices in several states have warned about the same false story. On August 19, Sonoma County's assessor and tax collector said videos and posts were telling seniors to file a nonexistent Form 1098-SR to cut or freeze their property taxes, and that the pitch was reaching people through calls, texts, and websites as well. On September 3, Los Angeles County officials said the same claim was spreading through social media, online videos, and unsolicited calls, and that no such IRS form or federal property tax program exists. The same day, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue described a viral AI-generated video saying Congress had passed a law letting older homeowners freeze or reduce their property taxes, and telling viewers to ask for a "Senior Homeowner Tax Review Request" or the 1098-SR form. Wisconsin says the contact information in the video leads to scammers rather than county assessors, who then ask for Social Security numbers and banking details or charge fees for filing services that do not exist. Some real relief programs for older homeowners do exist, but they are run by states and counties, each with its own rules.

How to recognize it

  • A video or post says Congress, the IRS, or a new federal law now freezes or lowers property taxes for seniors.
  • You are told to ask for, file, or pay for an "IRS Form 1098-SR" or a "Senior Homeowner Tax Review Request".
  • The video gives its own phone number or website instead of sending you to your county's official office.
  • Someone asks for your Social Security number or bank details to check whether you qualify.
  • You are offered help filing the paperwork in exchange for a fee.

What to do instead

  1. Do not call the number or visit the site shown in the video or post.
  2. Look up your county assessor or tax collector on your property tax bill or the county's official website, and ask them what relief you might qualify for.
  3. Do not give your Social Security number or bank details to anyone who contacted you about a property tax offer.
  4. Do not pay anyone to file a form for a federal property tax program. There is no such program.
  5. If a relative shares one of these videos, you can gently let them know that county offices in several states have said the form does not exist.

If it already happened

Responding to one of these is common and understandable. These steps are what people usually take next.

  1. Many careful people have trusted these videos, because they are made to look like official news. If you shared details, it is worth acting now, calmly.
  2. If you gave bank details or paid a fee, call your bank or card company on the number on your card and explain what happened.
  3. If you gave your Social Security number, visit IdentityTheft.gov for a step-by-step recovery plan, and consider placing a free fraud alert or credit freeze with the credit bureaus.
  4. Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and let your county assessor's office know about the video or call.
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Common questions

Is IRS Form 1098-SR real?
No. County tax officials in Wisconsin and California have said there is no IRS Form 1098-SR and no federal property tax relief program for seniors. The IRS does not set or collect property taxes; state and local governments do.
Are there any real property tax breaks for older homeowners?
Yes, in many places, but they come from your state or county and each has its own rules, such as exemptions, freezes, or payment postponements. Your county assessor or tax office can tell you what applies where you live.
The video showed a real official and a government seal. How can it be fake?
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue says the video it warned about was generated with AI, and that such videos often copy real officials' faces and voices along with official-looking seals. A convincing video is not proof. Check with your county office on a number you find yourself.

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Federal Senior Property Tax Freeze or Form 1098-SR? Neither Exists

There is no federal law that freezes or cuts property taxes for older homeowners, and there is no IRS Form 1098-SR. Videos and posts making that claim have spread since August 2026, and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue says one widely shared video was made with AI. The contact details in these videos lead to scammers, not to a county office, and the goal is your Social Security number, your bank details, or a fee for a filing service that does nothing. Property taxes are set by state and local governments. If you want to know about real relief for older homeowners, call your county assessor or tax office on a number from your tax bill or the county's own website.

Read the full alert: https://endscamsproject.com/latest-scams/senior-property-tax-freeze-scam

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