If I sold my car, do I still need to pay the bill I received?
  • If you sold your car to buy another car and you transferred your license plates, you need to show the Assessor the new vehicle registration. This will generate a new tax bill for the new vehicle.
    • You will need to pay the excise on the car you sold (for the months you owned it) and you will need to fill out an abatement form (PDF) for the vehicle you sold.
    • If you own any motor vehicle that has been registered for less than a full calendar year, you will pay the excise based on the entire month when you registered that vehicle, as well as for the remaining months of the year. For example, a vehicle registered on April 9th will be billed an excise for April through December.
  • If you sold your car and didn't purchase a new car, you need to make sure you cancel your license plates. If the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) doesn't know that you sold the car, you will continue to receive motor vehicle excise tax bills.
    • After you sell your car, fill out an abatement form (PDF) to receive a prorated, partial refund. If you pay your bill in February and then sell your car in July, you can get a refund for a portion of the year. Fill out the abatement form (PDF), and bring proof of sale and proof of the license plate cancellation to the Assessor's Office and a refund check will be mailed to you within 30 to 60 days.

Show All Answers

1. How are excise bills calculated?
2. If I sold my car, do I still need to pay the bill I received?
3. I moved, do I still need to pay the bill I received?
4. What happens if I purchase a new vehicle during the year?
5. What happens if a payment is not received by the due date?