How can I be taxed by this city/town for a time when I did not live there?

The tax is based on the registration address and not your current residence address in a city or town.  If you moved to another city or town but did not notify the Registry of your change of address the tax will continue to be assessed by the city or town listed on the motor vehicle registration even though you no longer live there.

All motor vehicles registered in your name will be taxed each year by the city or town listed by you with the Registry of Motor Vehicles at which the vehicle will be kept.  This tax is referred to as the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax and that tax is assessed in accordance with Title 44, Chapter 34 of the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island.