Watch Out for the Fake 'Form 1098-SR' Property Tax Scam Targeting San Diego Seniors
A scam circulating online and by phone tells San Diego seniors they can file a 'Form 1098-SR' with the IRS to freeze or reduce their property taxes. That form does not exist. Here's what the scam looks like, why it works, and what legitimate property tax relief programs are actually available to San Diego County homeowners.
There is no IRS Form 1098-SR that freezes or reduces your property taxes. If someone calls you, emails you, or posts online claiming you can file one, it is a scam.
San Diego County homeowners may be targeted by scammers, so it's important to know what to watch for. The fake Form 1098-SR pitch has been circulating in California, and La Jolla residents and other San Diego homeowners need to know what to watch for before anyone loses money or hands over personal information.
What the Fake 'Form 1098-SR' Property Tax Scam Actually Looks Like
The scam takes a few forms. Sometimes it's a phone call from someone claiming to be with the IRS or your county assessor's office. Sometimes it's a social media post or a website that charges a filing fee. The pitch is consistent: file this form and your property taxes will be frozen or reduced, possibly shielding you from school bond assessments.
None of that is real. County assessors in California, including the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, do not process IRS forms to reduce property taxes. The IRS has no such form on record. If you pay a fee to file something that does not exist, you lose the money and potentially expose your personal data.
What Legitimate Property Tax Relief Looks Like in San Diego County
California does have real programs that reduce property tax burdens. They work through state law, not fake federal forms.
**Proposition 13** limits annual increases to your property's assessed value. Your taxes do not automatically rise with the market each year. Your assessed value can only increase up to 2% annually until a change of ownership or new construction triggers a reassessment.
**Proposition 19** allows eligible homeowners who are 55 or older, severely disabled, or disaster victims to transfer their existing assessed base-year value to a replacement primary residence anywhere in California. This is a significant benefit if you are considering downsizing or relocating within the state.
**Property Tax Postponement Program for Eligible Low-Income Homeowners**, administered by the California State Controller's Office, lets qualifying low-income seniors postpone current-year property taxes. You apply through the state, not through any third-party service or federal form.
These are the programs worth knowing. None of them require an IRS filing, a fee to a third party, or a phone call from a stranger.
What This Means For You
• If someone contacts you about a "Form 1098-SR" for property taxes, hang up or close the tab. Report it to the San Diego County Sheriff or the California Attorney General's office.
• Contact the San Diego County Assessor's office directly at a number you look up yourself if you have questions about your assessed value.
• Real property tax relief programs in California are free to apply for. No legitimate program charges an upfront fee or asks for a federal tax form to freeze your local taxes.
• If you own a home in San Diego and want to understand how your assessed value affects your long-term equity position, Find out what your home is worth →
Scams like the fake Form 1098-SR work because they sound plausible and target people who are worried about rising costs. Knowing the real programs exist, and that they come through official county and state channels, is the best protection. Pass this along to a neighbor who might not have seen it. For more local homeownership guidance, visit the Palisade Realty blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a real IRS Form 1098-SR related to property taxes?
No. The IRS does issue a Form 1099-S related to real estate proceeds, and there is a Form 1098 for mortgage interest, but there is no IRS Form 1098-SR that affects property taxes. Property taxes in California are governed by state and county law, not federal IRS filings.
How do I apply for legitimate property tax relief as a San Diego County senior?
Start with the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk's office, which lists exemptions and programs on its official website. For the Senior Citizen Property Tax Postponement Program, applications go through the California State Controller's Office. Both are free to use and require no third-party assistance.
What should I do if I already gave information to someone running this scam?
Contact your bank immediately if you shared financial account information. File a report with the California Attorney General's office at oag.ca.gov and with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov. You can also contact the San Diego County Sheriff's non-emergency line to report the scam locally.
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