Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 60B, Section 2
In accordance with state guidelines, any person who owns a watercraft on July first shall annually, on or before August 1st, file a
2BE1 Form with the Board of Assessors of the town where such a vessel is moored or docked, or where it is principally situated. This form is available at the Assessor’s Office. The Town of Ipswich then levies an excise tax of $10 per thousand of valuation.
Guidelines:
For the purpose of computing excise tax, the state offers the following guidelines:
- Excluded from the payment of such excise are vessels engaged exclusively in commercial fishing, with a total value of $10,000 or less, and vessels with a value of $1,000 or less.
- An abatement may be granted if the boat is sold or otherwise transferred, registered and moved to another state, and the registration is surrendered or is not renewed in Massachusetts. Use Boat Excise Abatement Application (PDF) to file an abatement request, this form is also available at the Assessor’s Office.
- Assessors must receive excise abatement applications within 3 years after the excise was due, or 1 year after the excise was paid, whichever is later. Timely filing is necessary to preserve the right to an abatement and to appeal. If excise tax remains unpaid after 60 days, the Harbormaster of Ipswich may refuse to allow the vessel to moor or dock within the waterways of Ipswich.
Environmental Police requirements:
- Please note that you must notify the Massachusetts Environmental Police within 15 days of selling your boat.
- Complete a Cancellation Form.
- You can mail or fax this form to any of the Environmental Police's 5 registration offices.
- If your boat has a lien attached to its title, you must also submit a lien release from the lien holder before we can cancel your registration.
- Follow link for further info: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/cancel-your-boat-registration