Sold a Vehicle? Update Assessor’s Office to Avoid Excise Tax

If you no longer own a vehicle you received an excise tax bill for or have registered the vehicle out of state, you may be entitled to a motor vehicle excise abatement.  

Excise bills for Tewksbury residents are prepared by the Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles and sent to the Town Assessor’s office, which collects payments. Rates are based on the following scale.

Abatements can be requested if a vehicle was sold, traded, scrapped, totaled or donated during the year in which it is being taxed, or if the owner moved and registered the vehicle in another state. When an abatement is granted, excise bills are prorated by the month.

The Assessor’s Office accepts online Motor Vehicle Abatement Applications. If you wish to request an abatement, visit the town’s Online Submission – Motor Vehicle Excise Abatement Application page to apply. Once you select the reason, you will be guided through submitting the required abatement documentation.

Please note that excise bills are due on March 21, 2022.  The bill must be paid on time — applying for an abatement does not stay the collection of excise tax. If your abatement is approved after the bill is paid, you will receive a refund.

If the bill is not paid by the due date, interest and fees will accrue.

For more information on excise tax and excise tax abatements please visit the town’s Excise Tax Information webpage.

If you have any questions, please call the Assessor’s Office at 978-640-4330.