Automobile excise tax is administered cooperatively between the RMV (Registry of Motor Vehicles), Commissioner of Revenue, and each municipality. Assessed values and rate are set by Commissioner and the assessors cannot alter them.
The value of a motor vehicle for excise is determined at varying percentage of the MSRP (manufacturers suggested retail price) in the year of manufacture as follows:
In the year preceding the designated year of manufacture |
50% |
In the year of manufacture |
90% |
In the second year of manufacture |
60% |
In the third year of manufacture |
40% |
In the fourth year after manufacture |
25% |
In the fifth year after manufacture |
10% |
Age, condition and market value are not considerations in determining the value after the fifth year.
The assessors' office handles all abatement applications for automobile excise. Proofs of two things are required in order to qualify for an abatement:
1. Proof that the plates have been returned or transferred or reported as lost.
2. Vehicle is no longer in the possession of the billed owner. (i.e. sold, junked, moved out of state.)
Copies of the proof and a completed application (requires Adobe Acrobat) must be filed at our office.
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