November 13, 1996




Securities and Exchange Commission
Filer Support, Edgar
Operation Center, Stop 0-7
6432 General Green Way
Alexandria, VA  22312


    Re:     Boston Financial Tax Credit Fund VIII, A Limited Partnership
            Report on Form 10-Q Edgar for Quarter Ended September 30, 1996
            File No. 0-26522



Dear Sir/Madam:

Pursuant to the  requirements of Rule 901(d) of Regulation S-T, enclosed is one
copy of subject report.


Very truly yours,



/s/Marie D. Reynolds
Marie D. Reynolds
Assistant Controller







<PAGE>


                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d)of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Mark One)

[ X ]     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
          EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended                    September 30, 1996
                              --------------------------------------

                                       OR

[   ]     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
          EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the transition period from                         to

For Quarter Ended         September 30, 1996     Commission file number 0-26522
                  

                Boston Financial Tax Credit Fund VIII, A Limited Partnership 
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
            
             Massachusetts                                       04-3205879
      (State or other jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)                         Identification No.)
       

   101 Arch Street, Boston, Massachusetts                      02110-1106
  (Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code          (617) 439-3911
                                                  

        Indicate by check mark whether the  registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No .


<PAGE>



          BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS




PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                       Page No.

Item 1.    Financial Statements

         Balance Sheets - September 30, 1996 (Unaudited)
            and March 31, 1996                                            1

         Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - For the Three and Six
            Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995                      2

         Statement of Changes in Partners' Equity (Deficiency)
            (Unaudited) - For the Six Months Ended September 30, 1996     3

         Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - For the Six
            Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995                      4

         Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)                        5

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
         Condition and Results of Operations                              8

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Items 1-6                                                                10

SIGNATURE                                                                11



<PAGE>

          BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                    

                                                         
                                 BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                 September 30,               March 31,
                                                                     1996                      1996
                                                                 (Unaudited)
<S>                                                            <C>                          <C>

Assets
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                                 $      511,978               $     71,715
     Other current assets                                              15,609                     33,038
                                                               --------------               ------------
         Total current assets                                         527,587                    104,753

Investments in Local Limited Partnerships (Note 2)                 27,980,029                 26,064,146
Restricted cash                                                       489,998                  1,369,364
Marketable securities, at fair value (Note 1)                       1,228,826                  3,709,881
Organization costs, net of accumulated
   amortization of $25,833 and $20,833
   as of September 30 and March 31, 1996, respectively                 24,167                     29,167
                                                               --------------               ------------
         Total Assets                                          $   30,250,607               $ 31,277,311
                                                               ==============               ============

Liabilities and Partners' Equity
Current liabilities:
     Accounts payable to affiliate                             $       91,249                    $67,175
     Accrued expenses                                                  20,100                     35,184
                                                               --------------               ------------
         Total current liabilities                                    111,349                    102,359
                                                               --------------               ------------


General, Initial and Investor Limited Partners' Equity             30,147,370                 31,175,486
Net unrealized losses on marketable securities                         (8,112)                      (534)
                                                               --------------               ------------
         Total Partners' Equity                                    30,139,258                 31,174,952
                                                               --------------               ------------
         Total Liabilities and Partners' Equity                $   30,250,607               $ 31,277,311
                                                               ==============               ============
</TABLE>


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

<PAGE>
          BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)

         For the Three and Six Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                       Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
                                    September 30,         September 30,         September 30,        September 30,
                                        1996                   1995                  1996                 1995
                                  ------------------     -----------------     -----------------    -----------------
<S>                                 <C>                    <C>                  <C>                    <C>

Revenue:
   Investment                       $     39,766            $  175,827          $      41,652          $ 370,247
   Other                                 (18,603)                  300                 (1,869)               450
                                    ------------            ----------          -------------          ---------
     Total Revenue                        21,163               176,127                 39,783            370,697
                                    ------------            ----------          -------------          ---------

Expenses:
   Asset management fees,
     related party                        47,931                46,853                 96,002             93,706
   General and administrative
     expenses (includes
     reimbursements to affiliates
     in the amounts of $58,937
     and $51,631 in 1996 and
     1995, respectively)                  39,148                46,349                109,239             95,877
   Amortization                            5,967                 5,668                 15,954             10,812
                                    ------------            ----------          -------------          ---------
       Total Expenses                     93,046                98,870                221,195            200,395
                                    ------------            ----------          -------------          ---------

Income (loss) before equity in losses
   of Local Limited Partnership          (71,883)               77,257               (181,412)           170,302

Equity in losses of Local
   Limited Partnerships                 (672,494)             (123,054)              (846,704)          (114,163)
                                    ------------            ----------          -------------          ---------

Net Income (Loss)                   $   (744,377)           $  (45,797)         $  (1,028,116)         $  56,139
                                    ============            ==========          =============          =========

Net Income (Loss) allocated
   To General Partners              $     (7,444)           $     (458)         $     (10,281)         $     561
   To Limited Partners                  (736,933)              (45,339)            (1,017,835)            55,578
                                    ------------            ----------          -------------          ---------
                                    $   (744,377)           $  (45,797)         $  (1,028,116)         $  56,139
                                    ============            ==========          =============          =========

Net Income (Loss) per Limited
   Partnership Unit (36,497 Units)     $ (20.19)              $ (1.24)              $ (27.88)              $1.52
                                       ========               =======               ========               =====
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

</TABLE>


<PAGE>
          BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


              STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
                                   (Unaudited)

                   For the Six Months Ended September 30, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                    Initial        Investor          Net
                                    General         Limited         Limited      Unrealized
                                    Partners       Partners        Partners        Losses          Total

<S>                              <C>               <C>           <C>              <C>          <C>

Balance at March 31, 1996        $     (4,592)     $     100    $ 31,179,978      $   (534)    $ 31,174,952

Net change in net unrealized
   losses on marketable securities
   available for sale                       -              -               -        (7,578)          (7,578)

Net Loss                              (10,281)             -      (1,017,835)            -       (1,028,116)
                                 ------------      ---------    ------------      --------     ------------

Balance at September 30, 1996    $    (14,873)     $     100    $ 30,162,143      $ (8,112)    $ 30,139,258
                                 ============      =========    ============      ========     ============
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

<PAGE>
          BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)

              For the Six Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                              1996                      1995
                                                                         --------------            ---------
<S>                                                                      <C>                       <C>

Net cash used for operating activities                                   $    (219,993)            $    (135,001)
                                                                         -------------             -------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Investment in Local Limited Partnerships                                 (2,777,062)               (3,804,608)
   Restricted cash                                                             879,366                         -
   Cash distributions received from Local
       Limited Partnerships                                                      4,409                         -
   Purchases of marketable securities                                       (3,722,909)               (2,227,649)
   Proceeds from sales and maturities of
       marketable securities                                                 6,277,340                 2,340,000
   Payment of acquisition expenses                                                (888)                  (57,018)
                                                                         -------------             -------------
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities                           660,256                (3,749,275)
                                                                         -------------             -------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Refund of organizational and offering expenses                                    -                     7,017
                                                                         -------------             -------------
Net cash provided by financing activities                                            -                     7,017
                                                                         -------------             -------------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                           440,263                (3,877,259)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                                  71,715                10,495,010
                                                                         -------------             -------------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                                 $     511,978             $   6,617,751
                                                                         =============             =============


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</TABLE>



<PAGE>



          BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                    Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)



                                                         
The  unaudited  financial  statements  presented  herein  have been  prepared in
accordance  with the  instructions  to Form 10-Q and do not  include  all of the
information  and note  disclosures  required by  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.  These  statements  should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements and notes thereto included with the  Partnership's  10-K for the year
ended March 31, 1996. In the opinion of management,  these financial  statements
include  all  adjustments,  consisting  only of  normal  recurring  adjustments,
necessary to present fairly the Partnership's  financial position and results of
operations.  The results of operations  for the periods may not be indicative of
the results to be expected for the year.


1.   Marketable Securities

A summary of marketable securities is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                             Gross                 Gross
                                                           Unrealized             Unrealized            Fair
                                           Cost               Gains                 Losses              Value
<S>                                    <C>                   <C>                 <C>               <C>

Debt securities issued by the
   US Treasury and
   other US government
   corporations and agencies           $  1,138,021          $      -             $   (8,120)      $  1,129,901

Other debt securities                        98,917                 8                      -             98,925
                                       ------------          --------             ----------       ------------

Marketable securities
   at September 30, 1996               $  1,236,938          $      8             $   (8,120)      $  1,228,826
                                       ============          ========             ==========       ============


Debt securities issued by the
   US Treasury                         $  1,465,038          $    195             $   (2,839)      $  1,462,394

Other debt securities                     2,245,377             2,500                   (390)         2,247,487
                                       ------------          --------             ----------       ------------

Marketable securities
   at March 31, 1996                   $  3,710,415          $  2,695             $   (3,229)      $  3,709,881
                                       ============          ========             ==========       ============

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

The contractual maturities at September 30, 1996 are as follows:
                                                                                        Fair
                                                                       Cost             Value
<S>                                                               <C>               <C>

Due in one year or less                                           $    298,581      $    298,487
Due in one year to five years                                          938,357           930,339
                                                                  ------------      ------------
                                                                  $  1,236,938      $  1,228,826
                                                                  ============      ============
</TABLE>


Actual maturities may differ from contractual  maturities because some borrowers
have the right to call or prepay  obligations.  Proceeds from the sales of fixed
maturities were approximately $6,277,000 and $2,340,000 for the six months ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995,  respectively.  Included in  investment  income are
gross gains of $82,829 and $41,243 for the six months ended  September  30, 1996
and 1995,  respectively,  and gross  losses of $1,875 for the six  months  ended
September 30, 1996.



<PAGE>


          BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

              Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

2.   Investments in Local Limited Partnerships

The Fund has acquired an interest in ten Local  Limited  Partnerships  which own
and operate  multi-family  housing  complexes.  The Fund,  as  Investor  Limited
Partner,  pursuant to the Local Limited  Partnership  Agreements,  has generally
acquired a 99% interest in the profits,  losses, tax credits and cash flows from
operations of the Local Limited Partnerships,  with the exception of Springwood,
Hemlock Ridge and West End Place, which are 79.20%,  77% and 90%,  respectively.
An affiliate of the General  Partner owns the remaining  19.80% Limited  Partner
interest in Springwood. Upon dissolution, proceeds will be distributed according
to the partnership agreements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

The following is a summary of Investments in Local Limited Partnerships:
                                                                                               September 30,
                                                                                                   1996

<S>                                                                                            <C>
                                                                                                (Unaudited)
Capital Contributions paid to Local Limited
   Partnerships                                                                                $  28,873,935

Cumulative equity in losses of Local Limited Partnerships                                         (1,889,412)

Cumulative cash distributions received from Local
   Limited Partnerships                                                                              (17,732)

Investment in Local Limited Partnerships before adjustments                                       26,966,791

Excess of investment cost over the underlying net assets acquired:

   Acquisition fees and expenses                                                                   1,048,010

   Accumulated amortization of acquisition fees and expenses                                         (34,772)
                                                                                               -------------

Investments in Local Limited Partnerships                                                      $  27,980,029
                                                                                               =============
</TABLE>


Summarized  financial  information as of June 30, 1996 (due to the Fund's policy
of  reporting  the  financial  information  of  its  Local  Limited  Partnership
interests on a 90 day lag basis) of the ten Local Limited  Partnerships in which
the Fund was invested as of that date is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Summarized Balance Sheets - June 30, 1996 (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                                            <C>

Assets:
   Investment property, net                                                                    $  71,083,251
   Current assets                                                                                  3,207,699
   Other assets                                                                                    2,603,631
                                                                                               -------------
     Total Assets                                                                              $  76,894,581
                                                                                               =============

Liabilities and Partners' Equity:
   Long-term debt                                                                              $  38,951,691
   Current liabilities                                                                             5,072,562
   Other liabilities                                                                               5,837,959
                                                                                               -------------
     Total Liabilities                                                                            49,862,212

   Partners' Equity                                                                               27,032,369
                                                                                               -------------
     Total Liabilities and Partners' Equity                                                    $  76,894,581
                                                                                               =============
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
          BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

              Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)



2.   Investments in Local Limited Partnerships (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Summarized Income Statements (Unaudited) - For
the Six Months Ended June 30, 1996
<S>                                                                                            <C>

Rental and other income                                                                        $   3,802,617
                                                                                               -------------

Expenses:
   Operating                                                                                       1,973,525
   Interest                                                                                        1,448,096
   Depreciation and amortization                                                                   1,283,310
                                                                                               -------------
     Total Expenses                                                                                4,704,931

Net Loss                                                                                       $    (902,314)
                                                                                               =============

Partnership's share of net loss                                                                $    (846,704)
                                                                                               =============
Other Partners' share of net loss                                                              $     (55,610)
                                                                                               =============



</TABLE>


<PAGE>


          BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At September  30, 1996,  the Fund had cash and cash  equivalents  of $511,978 as
compared to $71,715 at March 31, 1996.  This increase is primarily  attributable
to  proceeds  from the sale of  marketable  securities,  offset by cash paid for
investments in Local Limited  Partnerships,  purchase of marketable  securities,
and net cash used for operations.

The Fund had  restricted  cash of $489,998 at September  30, 1996 as compared to
$1,369,364   at  March  31,  1996.   The  decrease  is  the  result  of  capital
contributions  made to one of the Local Limited  Partnerships  in which the Fund
has invested.

As of September 30, 1996,  approximately $1,629,000 of marketable securities and
cash and cash  equivalents  have been  designated as Reserves.  The Reserves are
established to be used for working capital of the Fund and contingencies related
to the ownership of Local Limited  Partnership  interests.  Management  believes
that the  interest  income  earned on  Reserves,  along with cash  distributions
received  from Local  Limited  Partnerships,  to the extent  available,  will be
sufficient to fund the Fund's ongoing  operations.  Reserves may be used to fund
operating deficits if the Managing General Partner deems funding appropriate.

Since the Fund invests as a limited partner, the Fund has no contractual duty to
provide  additional  funds to Local  Limited  Partnerships  beyond its specified
investment. Thus, as of September 30, 1996, the Fund had no contractual or other
obligation to any Local Limited Partnership, which had not been paid or provided
for, except as disclosed above.

In the  event a Local  Limited  Partnership  encounters  operating  difficulties
requiring  additional  funds,  the Fund  might deem it in its best  interest  to
voluntarily provide such funds in order to protect its investment. No such event
has occurred to date.

Cash Distributions

No cash distributions were made during the six months ended September 30, 1996.

Results of Operations

1996 versus 1995

For the six months ended September 30, 1996, the Fund's operations resulted in a
net loss of $1,028,116,  as compared to net income of $56,139 for the six months
ended  September  30,  1995.  The  change to a net loss  position  is  primarily
attributable  to an increase in equity in losses of Local  Limited  Partnerships
and a decrease in investment income.

For the three months ended September 30, 1996, the Fund's operations resulted in
a net loss of $744,377 compared to a net loss of $45,797 for the comparable 1995
period.  The  increase in net loss is primarily  attributable  to an increase in
equity in losses of Local  Limited  Partnerships  and a decrease  in  investment
income.


The increase in equity in losses of Local Limited Partnerships for the three and
six months ended September 30, 1996, as compared to the same periods in 1995, is
primarily attributable to an increase in the number of operational Local Limited
Partnerships  from seven as of  September,  1995 to ten as of  September,  1996.
Since certain  properties  were under  construction  during the six months ended
September 30, 1995,  the results of operations are not indicative of the results
to be expected for the future, nor are they comparable.


<PAGE>
          BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations (continued)

The  decline in  investment  income  for the three and six month  periods is due
primarily to lower average cash balances,  as a result of the Fund's  investment
in Local Limited Partnerships.

Property Discussions

The Fund is invested in ten Local Limited  Partnerships which own ten properties
located in eight  states.  Two  properties,  representing  356 units,  underwent
rehabilitation,   and  eight  properties,   representing  1001  units,  are  new
construction.

Each of the ten properties are complete,  through initial lease-up and operating
satisfactorily.


<PAGE>

          BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 



PART II       OTHER INFORMATION

Items 1-5     Not applicable

Item 6        Exhibits and reports on Form 8-K

                (a)  Exhibits - None

                (b)  Reports  on Form 8-K - No  reports  on Form 8-K were  filed
                     during the quarter ended September 30, 1996.


<PAGE>

          BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII, A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


                                    SIGNATURE


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


DATED:  November 13, 1996            BOSTON FINANCIAL TAX CREDIT FUND VIII,
                                     A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


                                     By:   Arch Street VIII Limited Partnership,
                                           its General Partner




                                           /s/Georgia Murray
                                              Georgia Murray
                                          A Managing Director, Treasurer
                                          and Chief Financial Officer