Suffolk County, MA Homestead Exemption: How to File

In Suffolk County, the median owner-occupied home is worth $705,800 and the median homeowner pays $4,649 a year in real estate taxes, an effective rate of about 0.66% (Census ACS 2020-2024).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year, tables B25077 and B25103 (county FIPS 25025). Local add-on exemptions: not listed here unless the county publishes them; ask the office above.

Who owns homes in Suffolk County

• Suffolk County has 119,335 owner-occupied homes; 36.5% of occupied homes are owned, below the statewide 62.5% for Massachusetts.
• 33,709 Suffolk County owner households (28.2%) are headed by someone 65 or older, below the statewide 32.6%. Massachusetts programs in our verified data that cover older owners: Personal Exemptions and Residential Exemption.
• About 14,271 veterans live in Suffolk County (2.2% of adults). See veteran property tax relief by state.
• 30.4% of Suffolk County owners have no mortgage (below the statewide 33.6%).
• The median Suffolk County home was built in 1949 (statewide: 1964).

Cities that set their own rules

Boston homestead & residential exemption

Massachusetts statewide program

Personal Exemptions and Residential Exemption: Personal exemptions for seniors, surviving spouses, veterans and blind persons. Some cities and towns also adopt a residential exemption for owner-occupied homes. Who qualifies and how to apply in Massachusetts →

Estimate your savings

Other large counties · Massachusetts down payment assistance (DPA Finder)

Massachusetts counties with similar home values

Each files through its own office: Middlesex County (City and town assessors (Massachusetts))

Related guides

• Homestead Exemption Checklist for First-Time Home Buyers
• Missed the Homestead Exemption Deadline? What You Can Still Do
• Bought a Home Mid-Year: When Does Your Homestead Exemption Start?
• How to Protest Your Property Tax Assessment