Massachusetts · Property tax exemptions for people with disabilities · Updated Oct 2026

Massachusetts property tax exemptions for people with disabilities (2026)

Every statewide property tax break in Massachusetts that our guide lists for homeowners with a disability, including senior breaks that also cover people with disabilities. What each is worth, who qualifies, the deadline and how to apply.

Short answer

The main property tax break for people with disabilities in Massachusetts is the Blind Persons Exemption (Clause 37 or 37A). Clause 37: $5,000 off the taxable value or $437.50 off the tax, whichever saves more.

Worth
Clause 37
Income limit
None listed in our sources
Deadline
April 1

Some amounts depend on where you live. In Massachusetts, some of these breaks or their amounts are set or adjusted by your county, city or town, as each exemption below explains. Ask your local assessor for the figure that applies to your home.

Property tax breaks for people with disabilities in Massachusetts

Disability

Blind Persons Exemption (Clause 37 or 37A)

Clause 37: $5,000 off the taxable value or $437.50 off the tax, whichever saves more. Towns that accept Clause 37A give $500 off the tax instead. Some towns add more through a local option.

Who qualifies
A Massachusetts legal resident who is legally blind and owns the home (alone or jointly) and lives in it as their domicile on July 1.
How to apply
File the exemption application with your local assessors each year, with proof that you are legally blind and proof of ownership and domicile. Ask your assessors which documents they accept.
Deadline
April 1, or three months after actual tax bills are mailed, whichever is later.
Renewal
Every year.
Law
M.G.L. c. 59, § 5, Clauses 37, 37A

Source: official page

How to apply, step by step

Blind Persons Exemption (Clause 37 or 37A)

  1. File the exemption application with your local assessors each year, with proof that you are legally blind and proof of ownership and domicile.
  2. Ask your assessors which documents they accept.

Deadline: April 1, or three months after actual tax bills are mailed, whichever is later.

Renewal: Every year.

Savings estimate for Massachusetts

None of these breaks is one fixed dollar amount taken off your home's value, so we can't estimate the savings here. What each one is worth is on its card above.

Eligibility finder for Massachusetts

Answer a few questions to see which property tax breaks may fit you. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Pre-set for people with disabilities: you own and live in the home and have a permanent disability. Change any answer.

Leave empty if you'd rather not say.

Everyone in the home, before taxes. Optional: used only to compare with income limits.

Do you own and live in the home?Answer the first question to see results.

A first check, not a decision: only your county, city or town assessor decides. We read ages, ratings and income limits only where the official rule states them plainly; otherwise we show the rule for you to check.

Document checklist for Massachusetts

Pick the breaks you plan to apply for. You get a checklist of forms, documents, steps and deadlines to print or keep on your phone.

The checklist asks for no personal details and nothing is sent to our server: the files are made on your device.

Exemptions to include

Questions about people with disabilities property tax breaks in Massachusetts

Who qualifies for property tax breaks for people with disabilities in Massachusetts?

Blind Persons Exemption (Clause 37 or 37A): A Massachusetts legal resident who is legally blind and owns the home (alone or jointly) and lives in it as their domicile on July 1.

Is there an income limit for people with disabilities' property tax breaks in Massachusetts?

Our sources list no income limit for any of these breaks.

When is the deadline for people with disabilities to apply in Massachusetts?

Blind Persons Exemption (Clause 37 or 37A): April 1, or three months after actual tax bills are mailed, whichever is later.

Do people with disabilities have to reapply every year in Massachusetts?

Blind Persons Exemption (Clause 37 or 37A): Every year.

Where do people with disabilities apply for property tax breaks in Massachusetts?

Your city or town board of assessors decides every property tax exemption and deferral. You apply to your local assessors' office each fiscal year (July 1 - June 30); the state Department of Revenue (DOR) sets the rules but cannot grant exemptions. For the Blind Persons Exemption (Clause 37 or 37A): File the exemption application with your local assessors each year, with proof that you are legally blind and proof of ownership and domicile.

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