Motor Vehicle/Boat Excise
The tax rate for motor vehicles is $25.00 per $1,000 of value
The valuation is based on a percentage of the MSRP as show below:
- 50% in the year preceding the designated year of manufacture
- 90% in the year of manufacture
- 60% in the second year
- 40% in the third year
- 25% in the fourth year
- 10% in the fifth and succeeding years
Motor Vehicle Excise can be abated in the following cases:
- The vehicle is sold, traded, junked, totaled or otherwise disposed AND the plates transferred to another vehicle or canceled.
- The vehicle is reregistered in another state, and the Massachusetts registration is canceled.
- The vehicle is overvalued.
- Incorrect place of garaging. (Garaging is determined as of January 1st)
Appropriate proof must be provided in order to process the abatement.
Abatements are determined by prorating by month. For example, if vehicle is abated in October, then the abatement will be for 2/12 of the total excise tax.
The minimum motor vehicle excise tax bill is $5.00.
The tax rate for boats is $10.00 per thousand dollars of value.
The valuation of the boat is based on general laws, chapter 60B, section 2, which represents the fair cash value
The boat is assessed as of July 1st to the town in which it is principally situated for the summer season.
Boat Excise can be abated in the following cases:
- The boat is sold, traded, junked, totaled or otherwise disposed AND the registration is transferred to another boat or canceled.
- The boat is reregistered in another state, and the Massachusetts registration is canceled.
- The boat is overvalued.
Appropriate proof must be provided in order to process the abatement.
Abatements are determined by prorating by month.
The minimum boat excise tax bill is $5.00.