What if I've moved out of Massachusetts and / or Lawrence?

If the owner of a vehicle moves out of Massachusetts and registers his/her car with another state:

  • File an application with the Assessors Office for abatement together with the following:
    • Registration Form for the New State and County and
    • Plate return receipt from the Registry

Note, the Registry strongly encourages a person who has moved out of State to cancel the registration in Massachusetts in order to avoid problems with an excise tax abatement application or future registration in the new state.


If the owner moves within Massachusetts and had not paid an excise tax for the current year, h e/ she should:

File an application with the Assessors Excise Office for and abatement together with the following:

  • Proof of garaging as of January 1 of the billing year and
  • A copy of the Insurance Policy (cover selection page) as of January 1 of the tax year
  • Pay the motor vehicle excise to the municipality in which he/she resided on January 1

If the owner moved before the first of the year, he / she must pay the tax to the new community to which the owner moved. If the owner did not notify the Registry, the Assessors, and the Post Office that he / she moved before the first of the year, it may be necessary to file for abatement with the former municipality that sent the excise bill. Most municipalities will dismiss the bill and reroute it to the new community once the owner furnishes proof that he / she had moved before the first of the year.

For more information, contact the Assessor at 978-620-3190.

Show All Answers

1. What is motor vehicle excise?
2. How is excise tax determined?
3. Who collects the motor vehicle excise?
4. When is payment due?
5. What happens if my payment is late?
6. What if I sold my car?
7. What if I've moved out of Massachusetts and / or Lawrence?
8. Can I get an abatement on my motor vehicle excise?
9. Under what circumstances might a motor vehicle excise abatement be warranted?
10. How does non-payment of motor vehicle excise affect license and registration?
11. What if I traded my car?
12. What if my car stolen?
13. Am I eligible for exemptions?
14. Where can I get more information about motor vehicle excise?