Registering my trailer in Mass?

mr buck · 11-03-2009, 09:18 AM

I just purchase a boat and trailer over the weekend and the titling/registration process seems like a pain. First I need to pay sales tax on the boat at Mass Dept. of Revenue and then go to the Enviro Police Dept. office and register it. Meanwhile, I need to register my trailer with the RMV. So here is where I am confused....my trailer is rated to 3000lbs....so I don't need a title....but does that mean that I still need to register it? What's the difference?

kev-n-tim · 11-03-2009, 09:36 AM

The title is nothing more than proof of ownership. You still need to register the trailer in Mass.

192Tourney · 11-03-2009, 09:47 AM

Correct. You need to go to the RMV in order to register your trailer and get the appropriate plates for your trailer. This has nothing to do with the boat, per se. You’d need to register any trailer you intend to use on public roadways.

mr buck · 11-03-2009, 10:03 AM

Thanks for the info guys! So looks like all I need to register my trailer is the previous registration and bill of sale. I purchased the boat/trailer as a package, so am I going to get hit twice on the sales tax from both the Dept. of Revenue and RMV?

gf · 11-03-2009, 10:54 AM

Actually, you first need to get a stamped RMV-1 form from your insurance agent so you can register the trailer.

If the boat is used, you should really get 3 separate bills of sale: 1 for the boat, 1 for the engine, 1 for the trailer. That way you can just pay sales tax on the boat and the trailer. Outboard engines are not titled separately in MA.

Did you already pay the sales tax for the whole package? If you did, then you just show the Form ST-6 to the RMV.

You can pay your sales tax on line for the boat to the Department of Revenue here:

https://wfb.dor.state.ma.us/WebFile/...axDefault.aspx

mr buck · 11-03-2009, 11:03 AM

Thanks gf! I saw that website, but didn't pay yet because I didn't want o be paying twice. Luckily I didn't spend much on the boat, so sales tax will only be $200 or so. I will get that RMV-1 form though! Thanks again!

Chuckster · 11-03-2009, 07:19 PM

GF has some good info there... My boat, motor, and trailer had three separate bills of sale,

One other thing to note:

I bought my boat around this time last year, and the trailer regs run from November to November, so I decided "why register now if I'm not moving the boat til spring?" Bad move, the RMV whacked me for late fees. I think you have a week or so to register it after purchase.