The Town of Montague - Departments

Motor Vehicle Excise

M.G.L.Chapter 60A imposes an excise on the privilege of registering a motor vehicle or a trailer in Massachusetts. The excise is levied by the town and the revenues become part of the Town's treasury. The tax is levied annually at the rate of $25.00 per thousand of value. The valuation of the vehicle for excise tax purposes is based on the original manufacturer's list price applied as follows:

In the year preceding the designated year of manufacture 50% (a 2007 model in 2006)

In the year of manufacture 90%

In the second year 60%

In the third year 40%

In the fourth year 25%

In the fifth and succeeding years 10%

Reasons for motor vehicle excise abatement:

If you've moved

If the motor vehicle is sold

If the motor vehicle is traded

If the motor vehicle is stolen

If you have moved out of state or cannot visit the assessors' office and you wish to file for an abatement, you must provide the following information in a letter addressed to the Board of Assessors.
If the vehicle was sold or traded, provide:

name and address of person receiving vehicle and

copy of the plate return receipt, if plate was cancelled or

copy of current registration showing the plate transfer

If vehicle was totaled, provide:

date of settlement (date of payment by insurance company) on insurance company letterhead (this information is usually listed with the check given by the company) and

copy of the plate return receipt, if plate was cancelled or

copy of the current registration showing the plate transfer or

C-19 Form (Affidavit of Lost or Stolen Plate from RMV)

If you moved out of state, provide:

copy of registration from the new state or country and

copy of plate return receipt or C-19 Form (Affidavit of Lost of Stolen Plate from RMV)

The abatement application or request must be received by the Board of Assessors within three (3) years after the excise was due, or one (1) year after the excise was paid, which ever is later. To preserve your right to an abatement and to appeal, you must file on time.

If you moved to another Massachusetts city or town, you must notify the RMV within thirty (30) days of moving. You will be billed by your new city or town the following year.

Disposition of both the vehicle and the registration are required to qualify for an abatement. It is important to remember that the bill for a vehicle you no longer own should not be ignored. Applications may be made in person at the Assessors' office.

Motor Vehicle Excise Abatement Application:pdf

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