CONSUMER ALERT: Viral Video promotes fake federal property tax form

The Douglas County Assessor’s Office is warning older homeowners about a viral online video spreading false claims about a nonexistent federal property tax relief program. 

The video claims that Congress passed a law providing significant property tax savings for older homeowners. It directs viewers to contact their county assessor and request a “Senior Homeowner Tax Review Request,” which the video claims is “mandated by federal law.” 

There is no federal form, federal law or federal stimulus program called the “Senior Homeowner Tax Review Request.” 

The Douglas County Assessor’s Office has received calls and emails from residents asking for the purported form and requesting a comprehensive review of every senior property tax reduction or benefit for which they might qualify. 

“There is no recently enacted federal legislation or federal form called the ‘Senior Homeowner Tax Review Request,’” said Douglas County Assessor Toby Damisch. “Colorado has legitimate property tax relief programs, but each program is established under Colorado law, has specific eligibility requirements and requires an official application. We encourage residents to rely on trusted government sources and contact our office directly when they have questions.” 

The circulating video appears to use artificial intelligence and misleading commentary to make its claims seem credible. Residents should be cautious of online videos, advertisements and social media posts promising large tax savings, government payments, debt elimination or access to special government forms, particularly when the content does not direct viewers to an official government website. 

Legitimate Colorado programs
Colorado does offer legitimate programs that may assist qualifying older homeowners. However, there is no single application that requires the Assessor’s Office to identify every tax exemption, rebate, credit or financial assistance program for which an individual might qualify. 

Programs are administered by different county and state offices and may include: 

• Senior Property Tax Exemption: Administered by the Douglas County Assessor’s Office, this program is available to qualifying homeowners who are at least 65 years old and who have owned and occupied their home as their primary residence for at least 10 consecutive years. For those who qualify, 50% of the first $200,000 of the residence’s actual value is exempt from taxation.

• Qualified Senior Primary Residential Exemption: Sometimes referred to as the “portable senior exemption,” this limited program is available for tax years 2025 and 2026 to certain homeowners who previously received the Senior Property Tax Exemption but lost it after moving to a new primary residence.

• Douglas County Tax Work-Off Program: Douglas County residents who are at least 60 years old, as well as qualifying individuals with disabilities, may have an opportunity to work temporarily for a County department and apply their earnings toward a portion of their Douglas County property taxes. 

Eligibility for one program does not necessarily establish eligibility for another. Some programs are administered by the Assessor’s Office, while others are administered by the Douglas County Treasurer, the Colorado Department of Revenue, the Colorado Department of the Treasury or another agency. 

Residents can find official information about senior property tax programs through the Programs for Seniors and Senior Exemptions pages on the official Douglas County website or by contacting the Douglas County Assessor’s Office at 303-660-7450. 

Protect your personal information 

Residents should not: 

• Pay anyone for access to a “Senior Homeowner Tax Review Request” or similar purported government form; 

• Provide Social Security numbers, banking information, credit card numbers or other sensitive information through an unofficial website; 

• Assume that a video or social media post is accurate because it uses official-looking seals, government terminology or realistic computer-generated speakers; or 

• Click links or download forms without first confirming that they come from an official government source. 

“Artificial intelligence can make false information look and sound convincing,” Damisch said. “Before providing personal information, paying a fee or relying on claims about a new tax program, please verify the information with our office or another official government agency. We are always willing to help residents distinguish legitimate Colorado programs from misinformation.” 

Media Contact:

Douglas County Assessor’s Office
301 Wilcox Street
Castle Rock, Colorado 80104
303-660-7450 

About the Douglas County Assessor’s Office
The Douglas County Assessor’s Office is responsible for discovering, listing, classifying and valuing taxable real and personal property in accordance with Colorado law. The Office also administers qualifying property tax exemptions and provides property owners with information about valuation, appeals and property tax programs. 

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