Auditor warns east-side seniors about AI-generated tax freeze scam

A fake video making the rounds online tells older homeowners they can request a "Federal Senior Homeowner Tax Review Request" form from their county auditor. No such form exists.

Hamilton County Auditor Jessica E. Miranda issued the warning Monday, Aug. 10, after her office and auditors across Ohio saw a surge of calls from confused property owners. The AI-generated video targets homeowners 65 and older. East-side villages including Indian Hill, Mariemont, Madeira and Terrace Park have significant senior populations who could be vulnerable.

Miranda said in a press release reported by WLWT that the form does not exist and the video is entirely false, adding that her team is ready to help residents check their actual tax relief eligibility. She noted that colleagues statewide are fielding similar calls.

Miranda's office clarified that county auditors administer tax relief programs under state law, not federal law. No federal property tax freeze program exists. The only program offering targeted relief to older Ohioans is the Homestead Exemption.

What the Homestead Exemption actually provides

The exemption shields $29,000 of a qualifying home's market value from property taxation, according to the Ohio Department of Taxation. A senior with a home assessed at $200,000 would be taxed as if it were worth $171,000.

To qualify for 2026, a homeowner must:

Be at least 65 years old
Own and occupy the property as a primary residence
Have gross household income below $41,000 (based on 2025 income)

One detail that trips people up: Social Security payments are excluded from the income calculation. That means many seniors on fixed incomes qualify even if their total household receipts look higher on paper.

The deadline to apply is Dec. 31, 2026. Homeowners already receiving the exemption do not need to reapply unless their eligibility changes. The Hamilton County Auditor's Homestead Unit can be reached at (513) 946-4099.

How to spot and report the scam

The auditor's office asks anyone who encounters the fake video to report it as misinformation on whatever platform they find it. For accurate information on tax relief programs and deadlines, residents should visit hcauditor.org or the office's official social media pages.

This is the second scam targeting area property owners in recent weeks. On July 22, Sycamore Township warned zoning applicants about fake invoices bearing the township's name and logo that demanded electronic payment for zoning fees.