Boat Excise Tax

Boat Excise Tax

A boat excise tax is imposed annually on all vessels in Massachusetts.  Boat Excise tax is levied and collected in lieu of a personal property tax. Any person who owns a vessel on July 1st of any year is obligated to file a return with the assessors by August 1st, describing the vessel and giving a fair cash value. The excise is levied and collected by the municipality in which the vessel’s owner has mooring or dockage for the summer season. If the vessel has no usual mooring or dockage, the excise is levied and collected by the municipality in which the vessel is principally situated.

Calculating the Excise

The excise amount equals the excise rate of ten dollars per thousand of valuation.  The value of each vessel, and its equipment, shall be deemed to be the fair cash value as determined by the assessors of each city and town.

Billing the Excise

The assessors must issue a warrant to the collector authorizing collection of the excise. The collector is responsible for mailing excise bills to vessel owners. The excise is due and payable at the expiration of 60 days from the date of mailing.

Late Payments

If an excise is not paid by the due date, Interest will be charged at 12% per annum on any payment not received by the Collector's Office by the due date, postmarks are not acceptable. If not paid, a $10 demand fee will be added (Massachusetts General Law “MGL”, chapter 60:15), and a penalty of $20 or 20% of excise, whichever is greater as a waterway fee will be added as well.   If a payment is still not received, a warrant fee of $10 will be added and the account will be forwarded to our Deputy Collector, John Y Brady's Office. www.johnybrady.com  The Deputy Collector will issue a first notice for an additional fee of $12 and a second notice for an additional fee of $17 (MGL chapter 60:15).  Please be advised, mooring and permits will be affected by continued failure to make payment.