HERO Act - Local Option Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Exemption

The HERO Act is a piece of recently passed legislation, Chapter 178 of the Acts 2024 (hereinafter “Act”), that adds two new local options that increase certain veteran exemption amounts and changes how to determine eligibility for the motor vehicle exemption for a veteran with a 100% disability rating or is unemployable due to their service-connected disability.

The new law is aimed at enhancing benefits for veterans in Massachusetts and was recently signed into law with the passage of the HERO Act in August 2024. Among its provisions, the HERO Act expands the motor vehicle excise tax exemption to veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating.

Under previous regulations, eligibility for the excise tax exemption was determined by the Medical Advisory Board within the Registry of Motor Vehicles. However, the HERO Act now aligns eligibility with the standards set by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as is the case with other tax exemptions available to disabled veterans.

Effective for calendar year 2024, veterans who are officially rated by the VA as having a 100% disability or who are deemed unemployable due to their service-connected disability will qualify for the motor vehicle excise tax exemption. To qualify, veterans must own or lease the vehicle and can apply for the exemption on one vehicle per year.

For more information or assistance, eligible veterans are encouraged to contact the City of Framingham Assessor's Office at 508-532-5415.