The Ventura County Assessor’s Office warns seniors and all local property owners about a current trend regarding misinformation on reducing or freezing property taxes.

The Assessor’s Office has received numerous calls, emails, and in-person visits from property owners inquiring about a supposed federal program that allegedly freezes property taxes.

This misinformation is being spread through fraudulent online claims, social media posts, and scam phone calls encouraging property owners to file a non-existent federal IRS form “1098-SR” to reduce or freeze property taxes.

No such form exists, and these messages are not legitimate, the Assessor‘s Office said.
 
Fact
• No Federal Control: No federal law caps or freezes property taxes for seniors. Property taxes are administered by state and local governments.
 
California Property Tax Programs (not related to any federal form)

  • Proposition 13 limits annual increases to a property’s assessed value; properties are reassessed to market value primarily upon change in ownership or new construction.
  • Proposition 19 allows eligible homeowners (55+, severely disabled, or victims of wildfire/natural disaster) to transfer their base-year value to a replacement primary residence, subject to requirements.

  • Homeowners’ Exemption provides a $7,000 reduction in the assessed value for an owner-occupied principal residence; a one-time claim is filed with the county assessor. Additional, if such owner is a 100% Disabled Veteran or the surviving spouse additional exemptions may be available.
  • Property Tax Postponement (PTP) Program operated by the California State Controller’s Office allows eligible seniors, blind, or disabled homeowners to postpone current-year property taxes if income and equity criteria are met; a lien applies and repayment is required.

Residents who have questions about the legitimacy of property tax relief claims should contact the Ventura County Assessor’s Office directly. If any money has been requested or paid, please report the incident to local law enforcement and the California Department of Justice.

For more, contact the Ventura County Assessor’s Office, 805-654-2181 or email assessor.info@venturacounty.gov.