{"id":13921,"date":"2026-08-30T07:31:51","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T15:31:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inedc.com\/26\/?p=13921"},"modified":"2026-08-30T07:31:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T15:31:51","slug":"el-dorado-county-warns-of-fake-1098-sr-tax-scam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inedc.com\/26\/crime\/el-dorado-county-warns-of-fake-1098-sr-tax-scam\/","title":{"rendered":"El Dorado County Warns of Fake 1098-SR Tax Scam"},"content":{"rendered":"

PLACERVILLE, Calif. \u2014<\/strong> A new property-tax scam making its way through social media, online videos and telephone calls is prompting a warning from El Dorado County officials, particularly for seniors and other homeowners looking for legitimate ways to reduce their property-tax burden.<\/p>\n

The pitch centers on something called \u201cForm 1098-SR,\u201d<\/strong> which scammers claim is a federal form that allows senior homeowners to freeze or reduce their property taxes \u2014 and, in some versions of the claim, avoid paying school bonds.<\/p>\n

There is one fundamental problem: The form does not exist.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The IRS’s current catalog of official forms includes Form 1098, the Mortgage Interest Statement, and Form 1040-SR, the U.S. Individual Income Tax Return for Seniors. It does not list a Form 1098-SR.<\/p>\n

County officials’ warning comes as similar claims have surfaced in counties across California and elsewhere. Recent warnings from Kern, Mariposa and Sonoma counties describe the same basic scheme: online videos and social-media posts promote a fictional federal program that supposedly gives seniors a property-tax freeze or eliminates certain school-related charges.<\/p>\n

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\u201cNo such IRS form exists, and these messages are not legitimate,\u201d<\/strong> officials warn.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

No federal senior property-tax freeze<\/h3>\n

The claims are particularly concerning because they blend real tax terminology with a nonexistent federal benefit.<\/p>\n

There is no federal law that automatically caps or freezes local property taxes for seniors<\/strong> through an IRS form. Property-tax assessment and administration are primarily matters of state and local government. California’s property-tax system operates under state law, including Proposition 13 and Proposition 19.<\/p>\n

That distinction matters for El Dorado County homeowners. The county Assessor determines property values, while the county Auditor-Controller and Treasurer-Tax Collector have separate responsibilities in the property-tax process. The county provides specific contacts for questions involving assessments, exemptions, Proposition 19, direct charges and tax calculations.<\/p>\n

The scam also creates an opportunity for identity theft.<\/p>\n

El Dorado County officials say the county’s Auditor-Controller, Assessor and Treasurer-Tax Collector offices do not request personal identification information, including birthdates or Social Security numbers, by phone, text message or email.<\/strong> Personal information is accepted through personal visits to county offices or official signed forms.<\/p>\n

That means a caller, website or video claiming to be able to process a \u201c1098-SR\u201d should be treated as a major red flag.<\/p>\n

What property owners should do<\/h3>\n

County officials are urging residents not to provide personal or financial information to anyone claiming to offer a 1098-SR filing service.<\/p>\n

Residents should:<\/p>\n