Assessing
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Property Database
Look up information about properties in Cambridge
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Abatement
Get information about applying for motor vehicle tax abatements
Apply for Residential Exemption
Taxpayers who own and occupy their home can save on their tax bill by having a portion of their tax bill exempted from taxation.
Property Mailing Address Change
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Personal Tax Exemption
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Real Estate Property Tax Abatement
Business Personal Property Tax Abatement
Annual Exempt Organization Forms
Assessing Open Data
UPDATE:
FY26 Residential Exemption and Personal Exemption application deadline is April 1, 2026.
The Assessing Office determines the value of real property and personal property in Cambridge for the purpose of taxation. The Assessor is required by Massachusetts Law to list and value all real and personal property, which includes all changes of title and subdivisions. Assessed values in Massachusetts are based on “full and fair cash value”, or 100% of the fair market value. To arrive at “full and fair cash value” the Assessor must know what “willing sellers” and “willing buyers” are doing in the marketplace. The Assessor must collect, record and analyze a great deal of information, including property and market characteristics, sales verification analysis, current construction costs and any changes in zoning, financing and economic conditions. The City of Cambridge Assessing Department uses the three nationally recognized appraisal approaches to value: cost, income and market. This data is then correlated into a final value for each fiscal year. Prior to the issuing of tax bills, the department must submit the values to the State Department of Revenue for annual and five-year certifications.
The Assessing Office maintains an extensive
database of property information
FY26 Residential Exemption and Personal Exemption are available. The due date is April 1, 2026.
You can apply for other personal exemptions along with the residential exemption, but the taxable value of your property can’t be
below 10 percent of the assessed value
. There are exemptions for certain residents, such as Veterans with service-related disabilities or other hardships.
For Questions about
Municipal Lien Certificates
or Online Bill Payments, please contact the Finance Department at 617-349-4220 or
Finance@cambridgema.gov
Contacts
PHONE:
617-349-4343
Email Us
795 Massachusetts Ave., Ground Floor
Cambridge, MA 02139
Documents and Publications
Property Tax Rate Executive Summary [PDF]
Tax Rate Letter [PDF]
Residential Tax District Map
Understanding Your Taxes News Letter [PDF]
2025 Meeting & Agenda
View Document Library
Links and Resources
Registry of Deeds
Massachusetts General Laws (Chapter 59)
Massachusetts General Laws (Chapter 60)
Finance Department
Geographic Information System
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