How are excise taxes calculated?

Excise Tax is a tax on the privilege of registration per RI General Law 44-34-2.  The value is determined by the Rhode Island Vehicle Value Commission per RI General Law 44-34-11 and is based on NADA values.  The value is then reduced by the RI State exemption of $500.  Passenger cars (type 01) between the ages of 6 and 17 years old receive an additional exemption based on the maximum taxable value for the age of the vehicle.  View the Hold Harmless calculation explanation.  The value is then prorated by the number of days the vehicle was registered during the previous calendar year (January 1 through  December 31).  The tax amount is calculated by multiplying the prorated value of the vehicle by the tax rate.

If you feel the dates of registration are incorrect on your tax bill, you will need to produce the cancellation receipt (TR-3) from the RI Division of Motor Vehicles.  This is the only document we can accept to make adjustments to registration dates on tax bills.

DMV Research Department: (401) 462-5720

DMV Enforcement Division: (401) 462-5736

DMV Website: http://www.dmv.ri.gov/