Motor Vehicle Excise Tax

All vehicles in the State of Massachusetts are subject to an annual motor vehicle excise tax. All information provided on an excise tax bill comes directly from the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Bills are assessed on a calendar basis.

Motor vehicle excise tax bills are due and payable within thirty days from the date of issue. The excise rate, as set by statute, is $25 per thousand dollars of valuation.

Percentages

Model YearTax Percentage
Year prior to model year50%
Model year90%
Second year60%
Third year40%
Fourth year25%
Fifth year10%

Excise tax bills are owed to the city/town where the vehicle/trailer was garaged as of January 1.

Demand Bills

Demand bills will be issued for any excise bill not paid by the due date. Interest at a rate of 12% per annum will be charged from the due date to the date of payment. A $10 demand fee will be charged to each bill. If the demand bill is not paid within 14 days from the date of its issuance, the Collector's office sends the unpaid bills to the Town of Charlton's Deputy Collector. The Deputy Collector for the Town of Charlton is Jeffery & Jeffery.

The Charlton Collector's office takes the Driver's Privacy Protection Act seriously. Only with proper identification will information be provided.

For payment of past due excise taxes, please contact the Collectors Office or Jeffery & Jeffery prior to making payment. All outstanding excise taxes must be paid in order to be released from the Registry of Motor Vehicles.