Motor Vehicle Excise

Abatement Application

Online Motor Vehicle Excise Abatement Mailbox 

Requires 2 documents in order to be processed. Please make sure you have both documents available, depending on your reason for abatement:

  • Vehicle Sold: 
    • Bill of Sale and Plate Cancellation receipt
    • Registration (showing plate transferred to new car)
  • Vehicle Traded In: 
    • Trade In agreement and Plate Cancellation receipt 
    • Registration (showing plate transferred to new car)
  • Vehicle Gifted: 
    • Gift Receipt and Plate Cancellation receipt 
    • Registration (showing plate transferred to new car)
  • Vehicle Total Loss: 
    • Insurance Settlement Letter stating "Total Loss" and "Date of Loss"
    • Plate Cancellation receipt or New Registration (plate transferred to new car)
  • Vehicle Junked: 
    • Junkyard or Donation Receipt and Plate Cancellation receipt 
    • Registration (showing plate transferred to new car)
  • Vehicle Returned: 
    • Letter from dealer certifying return and Plate Cancellation receipt 
    • Registration (showing plate transferred to new car)
  • Moved out of State: 
    • New states registration 
    • MA Plate Cancellation Receipt
  • Moved out of Watertown: 
    • Proof of residency 
    • Proof the RMV was notified of address change before January 1

Applications may also be delivered in the following ways:

  • Mailed
    Assessors' Office
    149 Main Street
    Watertown, MA, 02472
  • Delivered to the Assessors' office in person
  • Faxed 617-972-6497

RMV Registration/Plate Cancellation

Registration/Plate Cancellation may be done online.

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Information

For information in regard to billing, calculation and laws regarding motor vehicle excise tax in Massachusetts please visit the Motor Vehicle Excise Information website.