Motor Vehicle Excise Tax

Payments

Payment of the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax may be made at the Office of the Treasurer / Collector, 149 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472.

If your license or registration is marked by the Registry of Motor Vehicles for Non-Renewal, the Office of the Treasurer / Collector will only accept money orders or a credit/debit card payment. Additionally, all past due Parking Tickets or Excise Tax Bills for the citymust be paid before the mark on your license or registration can be cleared. The same fees for online payments will still apply when using a credit or debit card.

Online payment via credit card, debit card, or ACH transaction is available at Kelley and Ryan Associates for all current and delinquent excise tax.

Excise Tax Information

Excise Tax is assessed each calendar year on all motor vehicles and trailers. Payment is due and payable to the community in which the vehicle is registered according to the records at the Registry of Motor Vehicles as of January 1. Vehicle registration is the record that determines the community where the tax is due. Payment is due and payable in full within 30 days of issue.

Rates & Fees

The rate of excise is $25 per $1,000 of valuation as established by MGL Chapter 60A, Section 1 and Section 2, based on the year of the vehicle and the manufacturer's suggested retail price of the vehicle in the year of manufacture.

Failure to receive a Notice of Excise Tax does not affect the validity of the excise (MGL Chapter 60A, Section 2). Penalties for non-payment include the following:

• Demand Fee of $5
• Final Warrant Fee of $17
• Interest Rate of 12%
• Non-Renewal of Registration and Driver's License Fee: $20
• Warrant Fee of $10
• Warrant Notice Fee of $12

Abatements

Abatements may be requested through the Assessor's Office. For more information contact the Assessor's Office at 617-972-6410 or visit the Assessor's Page.