What is motor vehicle excise tax?
It is an annual tax for the privilege of registration. Anyone who registers a vehicle with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) will be billed based on the information supplied to the Registry of Motor Vehicles on the registrant's application. M.G.L. Chapter 60A imposes an excise on the privilege of registering a motor vehicle or a trailer in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. The excise is levied annually in lieu of a tangible personal property tax. Non-registered vehicles, however, remain subject to the taxation as personal property. The excise is levied by the city or town where the vehicle is principally garaged and the revenues become part of the local community treasury. The Registry of Motor Vehicles prepares data for excise bills according to the information on the motor vehicle registration and sends it to city or town Assessors. Cities and towns then prepare bills based on excise data sent by the Registry in conformity with Registry requirements.

Information Regarding M.G.L. Chapter 60A

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1. What is motor vehicle excise tax?
2. Who must pay?
3. What is the rate?
4. How are vehicles valued?
5. How is the tax determined?
6. Can I get an abatement?
7. Who qualifies for an abatement?
8. How are abatements figured?
9. Who qualifies for an exemption?
10. Where must I file for an abatement?
11. When is payment due?
12. What happens if my payment is late?
13. How does non-payment of motor vehicle excise affect license and registration?