How is the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax assessed?

Motor vehicles are taxed in the year next following the year of registration. For  example, any motor vehicles registered in your name during any portion of  the year 2006 would be taxed in the year 2007.

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.