Frequently Asked Questions

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax

Personal Exemptions

 

MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX

Compliance with Motor Vehicle Registration Law

You must register your vehicle in Massachusetts if you are a Massachusetts resident. The following criteria, although not exclusive, can be used by state and local agencies and the courts to determine residency. By law, you are considered a Massachusetts resident if you receive a local property tax exemption, file a state resident income tax return or receive a rental deduction, register to vote here, enroll your dependents in a local public school, or pay resident tuition for them at a state college or university, receive public assistance from the state, declare that mortgaged or insured property located here is your principal residence, or obtain any employment, benefit or privilege by claiming Massachusetts residency. You may be fined up to $1,000 per year if you illegally register in another state, or misrepresent the principal place your motor vehicle is garaged in this state. You are also subject to assessment for unpaid taxes with penalties and interest.