Massachusetts registration fees at the RMV
The Registry of Motor Vehicles charges $60 for a standard passenger registration that lasts two years, and $75 for a certificate of title when you buy a car.[1] The yearly safety and emissions inspection is paid separately at the inspection station.
Massachusetts excise tax: the bigger bill
The motor vehicle excise is $25 for every $1,000 of value, billed each calendar year by the city or town where the car is garaged.[2][3] The value is not what you paid or what the car is worth today: it is a fixed percentage of the manufacturer's list price in the year of manufacture.
| Excise year | Percent of list price | Value | Excise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year before the model year | 50% | $20,000 | $500 |
| Model year | 90% | $36,000 | $900 |
| Second year | 60% | $24,000 | $600 |
| Third year | 40% | $16,000 | $400 |
| Fourth year | 25% | $10,000 | $250 |
| Fifth year and later | 10% | $4,000 | $100 |
If you register partway through the year, you pay only from the month of registration through December: a car registered on April 9 pays 9/12 of the year's excise.[2] The minimum excise is $5. Selling the car or moving away entitles you to an abatement for the months left once the registration is cancelled or transferred.[2]
| Case | Due | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 car, second year, renewal | $660.00 | $630.00 a year |
| $40,000 new car registered in January (title + 2-year reg) | $1,035.00 | $930.00 a year |
| $40,000 new car registered in April | $810.00 | $930.00 a year |
| $28,000 car, fifth year or older | $130.00 | $100.00 a year |
Sales tax at purchaseMassachusetts also charges 6.25% sales or use tax when you register a purchased car. The car sales tax calculator estimates it.
Common mistakes
- Thinking $60 is the whole cost. The excise is often ten times the registration fee in the first years.
- Using the purchase price. The excise follows the list price, so a discount or a used-car price does not lower it.
- Not claiming an abatement. After a sale, file within three years of the due date or one year after payment, whichever is later.[2]
See how Massachusetts compares in car registration fees by state, try other states in the vehicle registration fee calculator, or add everything up in the cost of owning a car calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is it to register a car in Massachusetts?
$60 for two years at the RMV, plus a $75 title when you buy, plus the yearly local excise of $25 per $1,000 of the car's excise value.
How is the Massachusetts excise tax calculated?
List price × the year's percentage (90% in the model year, then 60%, 40%, 25%, 10%) × $25 per $1,000, prorated by month in the first year.
Do I get excise money back if I sell my car?
Yes. Once you cancel or transfer the registration you can apply to your city or town for an abatement of the remaining months.