Cambridge Assessing Department

The Cambridge Assessing Department is the city office that values all real and personal property in Cambridge for taxation. Under Massachusetts law, it must list and value every property, including changes of title and subdivisions, at full and fair cash value, meaning 100 percent of market value. It also manages business personal property values and the motor vehicle excise tax, and it maintains an extensive database of property information.

To set values, assessors study sales, property and market characteristics, construction costs, and changes in zoning, financing and the economy, applying the three standard appraisal approaches of cost, income and market. Values must be certified by the state Department of Revenue before tax bills go out. Residents and businesses come to the department to apply for exemptions, request abatements, file annual forms and update mailing addresses.

What to Know

• Homeowners can apply each year for the residential exemption.
• Additional exemptions exist for qualifying residents, such as veterans with service-related disabilities and people facing hardship.
• Businesses file annual personal property and income and expense forms with the department.
• Questions about lien certificates and online payments go to the Finance Department.