Motor Vehicle & Boat Excise

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax

Motor vehicle excise tax is assessed and levied each calendar year for every motor vehicle that is registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The rate of the excise tax is $25 per $1,000 worth of value. The tax is calculated from the date of registration to the end of the calendar year.

The informational data, as it appears on your vehicle registration, is sent to the Town by the Registry of Motor Vehicles for us to generate a bill. It is very important that the information that appears on the registration is accurate, particularly the mailing address and place of garaging. An error in these data fields can cause a tax to be generated from the wrong town.

All excise bills are due within 30 days. After 30 days, a Demand Notice is sent to the resident with a $15 demand fee payable within 14 days. An unpaid Demand Notice generates a Warrant payable within 30 days. Unpaid Warrants generate a Final Warrant payable within 10 days. Unpaid Final Warrant generates a Marking at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles and no future registration and license renewals will be allowed until the outstanding taxes are paid. Interest and penalty charges cannot be waived.

For questions related to a Warrant or Final Warrant status, please call the Deputy Collector, Kelley and Ryan Associates at 508-473-9660. Payments for past due motor vehicle excise can be paid online at or in the Collector's office located at Town Hall.

Please be aware, the initial motor vehicle excise billing gets mailed by February 15th of a calendar year. After the first mailing, the Registry of Motor Vehicles will send the Town every other month files for vehicles purchased during the year. If you purchase or trade in your vehicle during the year, please be aware you will receive a new motor vehicle bill.

If you receive a bill for a vehicle you no longer own, you must call the Assessor's office at 781-585-0509 to inquire if you are eligible for a motor vehicle excise abatement. Partial payment may still be required. Unpaid bills, even if you no longer own the vehicle will go through the demand and warrant process if you do not contact the Assessor's office.

Boat Excise

Boat excise is assessed and levied each calendar year for every boat registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The rate of excise is $25 per $1,000 worth of value and the tax is calculated from the date of registration to the end of the calendar year.

Boat excise bills are due within 60 days of the date of the bill date. Unpaid boat excise generates a Demand Notice payable within 14 days. Unpaid Demand Notice generates a Warrant payable within 30 days.

The unpaid boat excise tax will prevent you from receiving a mooring in the Town of Kingston. The Harbormaster is working with the Town Collector to assure taxes are paid before the assignment of mooring.