Frequently Asked Questions

Motor vehicle excise bills are generated by the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). The excise rate is $25 per $1,000 of your vehicle's value. If you believe the value has been calculated incorrectly, you need to call the RMV first, then contact the Assessor about an abatement.

• 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.

Anytime you move, you need to contact the Registry of Motor Vehicles to inform them of your new address (mailing and physical). You should then only receive one motor vehicle excise tax bill, and you do need to pay that bill for this calendar year.

Anytime you purchase a new vehicle, it generates a new excise bill, prorated to the month that you bought the car.

If the payment is not received by the due date, it will then go on demand. There will be a $15 demand fee and interest added to the original excise tax. Demands are due 14 days from the date of issue.

If the demand payment is not received by the due date, it will then go on warrant with the deputy collector. A deputy fee will also be added. A warrant will be mailed to you. Checks should be made payable to the "City of Amesbury" and mailed to the deputy collector at the following address:
Kelley and Ryan Associates
3 Rosenfeld Drive
Hopedale, MA 01747

Phone: 508-478-1218

The deputy collector is located at different Registries in Massachusetts. You can go there and pay them directly. Call to find which Registry's that they are located at.