Cambridge property tax abatement deadline (FY2027)

Deadline not confirmed

The due date printed on your bill

FY2027 bill date not confirmed. Check the date printed on your tax bill or the city's abatement page.

Cambridge abatement page

For fiscal year 2027, the deadline is the due date printed on your first FY2027 tax bill.

If you think your assessed value is too high, you can apply for an abatement.

When do I file, and what happens next?

Bills issuedBill date not confirmed
File byThe due date printed on your bill
Assessors decideIf they don't act within 3 months, it counts as denied.
Appellate Tax BoardAppeal within 3 months of the decision or the deemed denial.Appellate Tax Board: local real estate tax appeals

How the deadline works

The deadline is the due date of the first actual tax bill. The date printed on your bill controls. If it falls on a weekend or holiday, you can file on the next day the city office is open. The assessors can't extend it. Last year, FY2026 applications were due December 8, 2025.

How do I file in Cambridge?

Abatements are decided by the Cambridge Board of Assessors (filed with the Assessing Department).

You can apply if you're the assessed owner, or if you bought the property after January 1. A tenant who has to pay more than half of the tax can apply too.

Get State Tax Form 128, the application for abatement. The city hasn't posted the FY2027 form yet.
If someone else signs the form for you, attach a copy of your written permission for them to sign. Neither the city nor Form 128 lists required attachments.
Mail it with the U.S. Postal Service, or bring it to the Assessing Department at 795 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge doesn't offer online filing.
Keep paying your tax bill as assessed while you wait. Filing doesn't stop the bill from being due, and in some cases you must pay your installments when due to keep the right to appeal the assessors' decision.

The city's page says applications must be received by the deadline. State law and Form 128 also accept a U.S. Postal Service postmark. Filing early avoids the question.

Sources

City of Cambridge: Finance Department · checked October 16, 2026
City of Cambridge: Real estate tax abatement · checked October 16, 2026
Massachusetts General Laws: Chapter 59, Section 59 · checked October 16, 2026
Massachusetts Department of Revenue: State Tax Form 128 · checked October 16, 2026
Appellate Tax Board: Local real estate tax appeals · checked October 16, 2026
Appellate Tax Board: Helpful guide for taxpayers and assessors · checked October 16, 2026
City of Cambridge: FY2026 property tax newsletter · checked October 16, 2026

These sources are due for a re-check, so this page shows no countdown.