Motor Vehicle Excise Valuation & Abatement Information
Every motor vehicle and trailer registered in Massachusetts is subject to the motor vehicle excise unless exempted.
Excise abatements are warranted when a vehicle is sold, traded, declared a total loss, donated, or has been registered in another state.
- You may be eligible for an excise abatement in any of the situations listed below.
- Complete an Abatement Application and provide us with all the required documentation.
- All requested supporting documentation must be supplied for the bill to be abated.
Motor Vehicle Abatement Application
Situations:
Sold or Traded
Bill of Sale AND Vehicle Registration Cancellation receipt or new registration if plate was transferred.
Stolen OR Total Loss
Insurance Company Settlement Letter and C-19 Form (Affidavit of Lost or Stolen Plate from RMV) AND Registration Cancellation or new registration if plate was transferred.
Junked Vehicle
Receipt from junkyard AND Registration Cancellation receipt or new registration if plate was transferred.
Moved to a Different Town or City
IF garaging was changed PRIOR to January 1st of the year, we can recommit to another town/city in Massachusetts if you can provide proof the RMV was notified of the address.
IF you moved AFTER January 1st of the year, you are still responsible and owe the Town of Groton for that year. Please make sure the garaging location is changed with the RMV.
Moved out of Massachusetts
Registration Cancellation receipt AND Registration from New State
Charitable Donation
Letter from Charity acknowledging receipt of vehicle AND Registration Cancellation receipt or new registration if plate was transferred.
Gifted
Gift Letter which must include date, recipient’s full name, address, and signature AND Registration Cancellation receipt or new registration if plate was transferred.
Lease Vehicle
The Leasing Company, as the owner of the vehicle, must file the Motor Vehicle Excise Abatement Application. Please contact your leasing company.
Active Duty Non-Resident
Documentation of Orders which should also list the primary domicile’s address outside of Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Service Members
If the service member has been deployed or stationed outside the territorial boundaries of the commonwealth for a period of at least 180 days in the calendar year of the exemption, documentation is required.
Exempt
ST-2 Tax Exempt Certificate
Cancelled registration OR transferred plated BUT still own the vehicle
If you returned the plates or transferred them to a new vehicle but still have ownership, we CANNOT grant an abatement.
To be eligible for an abatement, two things must happen:
- Registration on the vehicle must be cancelled or transferred.
- There must be some sort of transfer of ownership.
If you cancelled or transferred your registration, you should NOT receive another excise bill in years following the cancellation/transfer.
If there is any other circumstance, please contact our office at (978)-448-1127.
Ways to submit your application and supporting documents
In person: Groton Town Hall, Assessors Office, First Floor, 173 Main Street, Groton, MA 01420
Mail: Town of Groton Assessors Office, 173 Main Street, Groton, MA 01450
Email: assessors@grotonma.gov
