Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
Vehicles registered in Providence, RI are taxed for the previous calendar year. For example the 2013 tax bill is for vehicles registered during the 2012 calendar year.You are taxed on the amount of days your vehicle is registered. Moving, selling, donating, vehicle loss, gifting, registering your vehicle in a new state etc., does not constitute the correct way of cancelling your registration. You need to notify RI DMV of any address changes within thirty (30) days of moving.
By law the DMV requires you to physically cancel your registration by returning the plates to the RI DMV. It is in your best interest to request a cancellation receipt (TR3) as this is the only proof this office can accept as proof of plate cancellation.
If you do not return your plates to the RI DMV you will be responsible for the taxes until you do so or the plates expire, whichever occurs first.
For more information regarding registering and cancelling your license plates please refer to www.dmv.ri.gov
You may also contact Deana Burke, Supervisor of Motor Vehicles at 401-421-5900 x 641 or dburke@providenceri.com should you require additional information.