Massachusetts excise tax calculator
Calculate your annual MA motor vehicle excise tax. Enter your car's MSRP + model year. State-statute formula, 5-year projection, plus RMV registration and inspection costs.
How the Massachusetts excise tax is calculated
Massachusetts charges an annual motor vehicle excise tax of $25 per $1,000 of valuation, where valuation is the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) multiplied by a depreciation factor set by state statute:
| Year of vehicle (vs. current year) | Depreciation factor |
|---|---|
| Year before model year (pre-registered) | 50% |
| In the model year | 90% |
| 1 year after model year | 60% |
| 2 years after model year | 40% |
| 3 years after model year | 25% |
| 4+ years after model year | 10% |
The bill is sent by your city or town — not the RMV. All 351 Massachusetts municipalities use the same formula and the same $25/$1,000 dollar rate; only the billing schedule and abatement process differ by town. For the full mechanics including the Boston resident-parking quirk and the RMV-1 insurance flow, see our Massachusetts car registration complete guide. For broader cost comparisons, see cheapest states to register a car and vehicle property tax by state.
The calculator above also includes the standard $60 biennial RMV registration fee (shown as $30 annualized) and the $35 annual safety + emissions inspection fee. Insurance is not included; Massachusetts auto insurance averages $1,800/year for full coverage as of 2026.