Cambridge, MA Residential Exemption: Who Qualifies, Deadline

Cambridge, Massachusetts sets part of its own homestead-type relief, so the rules here differ from the rest of Middlesex County. Summarized from the city's official pages.

City-set rule

Cambridge adopts a residential exemption each year: owner-occupants subtract a fixed dollar amount from their assessed value before the tax rate is applied. The City Council sets it at 30% of the average residential parcel value (state law allows up to 35%).

FY2026 amount

$510,208 of assessed value, a tax reduction of $3,403 at the FY2026 residential rate of $6.67 per $1,000 (City of Cambridge FY26 tax rate letter and property tax update).

Who qualifies

You must own the home and occupy it as your principal residence on January 1 of the year before the fiscal year (January 1, 2026 for FY2027).

Deadline

Apply by April 1, 2027 for FY2027, using the city's online portal or a paper form from Assessing (617-349-4343). New owners must apply in their own name; it does not carry over from the seller.

Also offered

Cambridge also lists exemptions for owners 65+ who meet income rules, disabled veterans, legally blind owners and active-duty Massachusetts military, plus tax deferral.

City of Cambridge Assessing Department ↗

Figures source: official city document ↗

Middlesex County filing page · All Massachusetts relief · Estimate your savings. Last checked Nov 13, 2026.