How is the excise value of the motor vehicle determined?
The excise tax law (Massachusetts General Law Chapter 60A, Section 1) establishes its own formula for valuation for state tax purposes whereby only the manufacturer's list price and the age of the motor vehicle are considered. Different sources provide the valuation figures depending upon whether the motor vehicle is an automobile, a truck, a motorcycle, or a trailer.

The formula is as follows:

• Brand new car released before model year - 50%
• In the designated year of manufacture - 90%
• In the 2nd year - 60%
• In the 3rd year - 40%
• In the 4th year - 25%
• In the 5th and succeeding years - 10%