How is the motor vehicle excise calculated?

The owner's motor vehicle excise is $25 per $1000 of excise value for the calendar year. The excise value for the year is calculated by applying the percentage fixed by G.L. c. 60A, sect. 1 to the manufacturer's list price for vehicles of the same make, type, model, and year of manufacture. The percentage declines over several years until it reaches 10% of that list price in the fifth year after manufacture and all succeeding years for the life of the vehicle. The statutory percentages are:

  • Year before model year - 50%
  • Model year - 90%
  • Second year - 60%
  • Third year - 40
  • Fourth year - 25%
  • Fifth and following years - 10%

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1. Do owners pay a tax for their motor vehicles each year?
2. What governmental entity assesses the motor vehicle excise?
3. How is the motor vehicle excise calculated?
4. Can the excise value be adjusted based on the condition or purchase price of a vehicle?
5. Is there a minimum excise?