Massachusetts Vehicle Excise Tax for a $30k Car
Massachusetts charges $25 per $1,000 of your car's assessed value for excise tax. Your new 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI with $30,000 MSRP pays $675 the first full year. The state sets the value at 90% of MSRP, or $27,000. You multiply that by $25 per $1,000 (or 0.025) to get $675.
How Massachusetts Calculates Excise Tax
The state starts with your car's MSRP, not the price you paid. They apply a depreciation rate based on model year. Here is the table for your $30k MSRP Golf GTI:
| Model Year | Value % of MSRP | Assessed Value | Excise Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| New (2025) | 90% | $27,000 | $675 |
| 2nd year (2026) | 60% | $18,000 | $450 |
| 3rd year (2027) | 40% | $12,000 | $300 |
| 4th year (2028) | 25% | $7,500 | $187.50 |
| 5+ years | 10% | $3,000 | $75 |
Take the assessed value and multiply by $25 per $1,000. Your new Golf GTI: $27,000 x 0.025 equals $675. An older car at 10%: $3,000 x 0.025 equals $75. Bills hit a $5 minimum.
The tax covers a full calendar year. You register or buy mid-year? It prorates by month. Buy in April? Pay for 9 months. Westford (01760) sends the bill. They use RMV data and your garage location.
Your 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI in Westford (01760)
Your 2025 Golf GTI has $30k MSRP. In 2025, the assessed value hits $27,000. Excise tax: $675. Westford pulls data from RMV and bills you. Check the exact MSRP on the RMV website.
Steps to Pay or Lower Your Bill
- Wait for the bill from Westford. Pay online, by mail, or in person.
- File for abatement if you sell, trade, or move out of state. Submit proof like a bill of sale or new registration.
- Contact RMV to fix wrong MSRP data.
- Cancel registration if you sell and transfer plates.
You can't abate for in-state moves or if you keep plates after canceling. Pay on time. Late fees add 14% interest per year.
Sidekick tracks your excise tax and all ownership costs for the 2025 Golf GTI in 01760.