Assessor's Office

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About

Assessors are required by Massachusetts law to list and value all real and personal property on an annual basis. Assessed values in Massachusetts are based on “full and fair cash value" or 100 percent of the fair market value as of January 1 of each year. To arrive at “full and fair cash value” the Assessors, with assistance from the appraisal vendors, interpret the real estate market by analyzing actual property sales between buyers and sellers from 12-18 months earlier. This involves an analysis of market activity by each class of property. Assessments for FY2023 reflect values as of January 1, 2022.  Assessed values appear on the third quarter real estate tax bill.

Assessors are required to submit these values to the State Department of Revenue for certification every five years. In the years between certification, Assessors must analyze the real estate market and perform interim adjustments to values as needed. This requirement is so that the property owner(s) pay their fair share of the cost of local government, in proportion to the amount of money the property is worth, on a yearly basis rather than every five years.

The Assessors office administers statutory exemptions, real estate abatements, motor vehicle and boat excise tax abatements. The Board of Assessors compiles the necessary tax policy data used in the annual tax classification hearing.

General Information and Resources

• Property Database - Look up a property
• Assessor’s Maps
• GIS Mapping
• Abutters List Request Form
• Abutters Map Instructions
• Change of Address Form - City of Medford
• Proposition 2 1/2 Info
• Middlesex South (Cambridge) Registry of Deeds
• Residential Exemption Presentation - For informational purposes only - not currently in place in Medford)
• Property Tax 101 (video)

Property Taxes

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Business Personal Property Form of List (Printable)

COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL, MIXED-USE, APARTMENTS Income & Expense Filings:

Downloadable forms:

• Commercial Property
• Mixed Use Property
• Apartment Buildings

Or online, by April 30, 2023: ​​​​​https://taxpayer.justappraised.com/medfordma

The Board of Assessors requests Income and Expense information on Commercial, Industrial and Apartment (4+ units) Residential Properties to help us determine equitable values for assessment purposes. This request is for income and expense information relative to the operation of real estate for calendar year 2022.

If you have any questions or if you prefer to have us mail you the forms please contact us at 781-393-2435 or assessors@medford-ma.gov.

In accordance with State Law, all information listed on the forms is not available to the public for inspection.

• FY22 Classification Hearing Presentation (12/14/21)
• FY23 Abatement Application (PDF) - Real Estate + Personal Property

Excise Tax

• Vehicles & Trailers
  • Online Abatement Application
  • Abatement Form (PDF - if not applying online)
  • Documents Required for Every Excise Tax Abatement
  • How to cancel your vehicle registration license plates with the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)

Info + Explanation

• Boats
  • Abatement Application Form - printable
  • Cancellation Form (for MA Environmental Police)
  • Bill of Sale
• State Law Pertaining to Excise Tax

Exemptions

The exemption filing deadline for FY23 is April 3, 2023

• Tax Exemption and Tax Deferral Programs –> Exemption Info 
• Disabled Veteran -> FY23 Application
• Senior Exemption -> FY23 Application
• Blind Exemption -> FY23 Application
• State of MA Tax Tips for Seniors and Retirees
• State of MA Taxpayer Forms and Guides

Community Preservation Act (CPA)

• CPA Exemption Application Form FY2023
• CPA Surcharge and Exemption Info