Boat Excise Tax

Mass. General Laws Chapter 60B, Section 2

State Guidelines
Any person who owns a watercraft on July first shall annually, on or before August first, file a return to the assessors of the town where such a vessel is moored or docked, or where it is principally situated. An excise tax of ten dollars per thousand of valuation is then levied by the Town of Newbury.

For the purpose of computing excise tax, the State offers the following guidelines - click here

The payment of such excise shall not apply to vessels engaged exclusively in commercial fishing, with a total value of $10,000 or less, nor to other vessels with a value of $1,000 or less.

Abatement may be granted if the boat is transferred by sale or otherwise, removed to another state and registered in such other state, or the registration is surrendered or is not renewed in Massachusetts. In such cases proof must be provided to the Newbury Assessors Office, and no abatement is granted for transactions occurring on or after November first.

If excise tax remains unpaid, the Newbury Harbormaster shall refuse to allow the vessel to moor or dock within the waterways of Newbury.