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FY27 Update
If you have received your FY27 first half tax bill and it includes a Water and Sewer Lien, please contact the Finance Department
at 617-349-4220 for assistance.
 
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.

FY27 Residential Exemption and Personal Exemption applications are available. The due date is April 1, 2027. 

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.

                                                                                            FY27 Abatement Period

The Assessing Department will be offering several online taxpayer assistance Zoom sessions during the abatement period (October 19, 2026 - November 18th, 2026), in addition to our regular office hours. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your FY27 property tax value, please refer to the schedule below for the dates and times.

                                                                      Online Taxpayer Assistance Schedule

Date

Time

Location

Oct. 22, 2026

2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

https://cambridgema.zoom.us/j/89701791051

Oct. 29, 2026

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

https://cambridgema.zoom.us/j/87644557892

Nov. 10, 2026

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

https://cambridgema.zoom.us/j/85193364918

Nov. 12, 2026

2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

https://cambridgema.zoom.us/j/87614921628

 

 

 

 

 

For Questions about Municipal Lien Certificates or Online Bill Payments, please contact the Finance Department at 617-349-4220 or Finance@cambridgema.gov.

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