Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Bills

Bills:
Every motor vehicle and trailer registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is subject to the motor vehicle excise unless expressly exempted. Registering a motor vehicle automatically triggers the assessment of excise which is based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price times $25.00 per $1,000.00 of value. The Registry of Motor Vehicles is responsible for this valuation. If you feel there is an error you may call the Assessor's office at 978-374-2316 for more information.

Payment:
The City mails bills to owners when notified by the Registry based on current information at the Registry. You have 30 days to make payment before a demand notice will be mailed adding a $25.00 fee plus interest. If an excise bill remains unpaid for 14 days after the issuance of the demand, the tax collector may issue a warrant to a Deputy Collector. This could result in additional collection fees and could end with a mark at the Registry, preventing license renewal or vehicle registration.

Deputy Collector:
If your bill is given to the Deputy Collector for collection, you may call the office at 978-374-2320 or 508-473-9788 from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. to obtain outstanding amounts due. You may pay this bill at 4 Summer St, Room 114, Haverhill, MA with either cash or a bank check if the bill is marked at the Registry. Once a bill is marked at the Registry, we will not release it unless ALL outstanding excise bills due the city are paid in full.

Adjustments:
Excise tax bills are calculated from the date of registration to the end of the calendar year. If you have sold a vehicle, transferred plates, are handicapped, move out of state, or question a valuation, you may be entitled to an abatement adjustment to your bill. Abatement forms with an explanation of the abatement procedure are found on the back of all new excise tax bills. The Assessor is the only person authorized to abate excise tax amounts. Please call the Assessor at 978-374-2316 if you have any questions about abatement adjustments to your excise tax bill.