Motor Vehicle Excise

Motor Vehicle Excise

Applying for a Motor Vehicle Abatement

You are NOT entitled to an abatement if you:

1. Cancel your registration and retain ownership of the vehicle

2. Move to another Massachusetts city or town during the same calendar year.

By law, you must notify the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles within 30 days of any change of residence, mailing or garaging address.

You MAY BE entitled to an abatement if your vehicle is:

1. Sold or traded

2. Stolen or a total loss

3. Junked or donated

4. Returned (Lemon Law)

5. Moved from Berkley

6. Garaged in a town other that Berkley

Abatements

In order to apply for an abatement, you must provide the Board of Assessors with the following documentation:

1. Sold or traded

a). Bill of sale or Purchase & Sale showing trade AND

b). Plate Return Receipt or new registration form if plate transferred to another vehicle.

2. Stolen or total loss

a). Police report or insurance settlement letter AND

b). Plate return Receipt or C-19 Form( Affidavit of Lost or Stolen Plate from RMV

3. Junked or donated

a). Receipt from junk yard or charity AND

b). Plate Return Receipt

4. Vehicle is returned (Lemon Law)

a). Letter from dealer certifying return AND

b). Plate Return Receipt OR New Registration if plate is transferred

5. Moved from Berkley:

a). If you moved to another community in Mass. After Jan. 1 you still owe excise tax to Berkley

If you moved to another state and registered your vehicle there, you must notify the RMV within 30 days of moving and return your Mass. Plates to the Registry then submit to us: 1). Plate Return Receipt AND 2). Copy of New Registration from other state.

6. Garaged in Another Town:

a). If your vehicle is garaged in another town, it is the responsibility of the registered owner to promptly notify the RMV of and address changes.

Leased Vehicles:  If your vehicle is leased the leasing company, as owner, is responsible for applying for the abatement.  Please contact your leasing company regarding any refund which may be due to you.

As long as your vehicle is still registered in Massachusetts you are still subject to the Massachusetts Excise Tax.

How is My Bill Computed?

Excise tax on Motor Vehicles principally garaged in Berkley is levied by the Town of Berkley and revenues become part of the community treasury.

Excise Tax Bill Computation

Excise Tax is assessed at the rate of $25.00 per thousand dollars of taxable value. The value of a motor vehicle is determined by the Commissioner of Revenue, based on the manufacturer’s list price (MSRP). Condition and market value are not considered in determining value. Percentages are determined as follows:

In the year prior to model year 50%

In the year of manufacture (model year) 90%

Second Year 60%

Third Year 40%

Fourth Year 25%

Fifth Year, each year thereafter 10%