We accept cars, trucks, vans, fleet vehicles, trailers, boats, motorcycles, and RVs. Your donated vehicle can be a car, truck, van, motorcycle, RV or boat with trailer. We also accept real estate.

What Is Required To Donate My Car?

We need basic information about your car. Some of what we ask for includes: your contact information, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), year/make/model/color of the vehicle, address of the vehicle, if the car is running or not, and if you have the title in your possession. Your signed title is required at time of pickup, as well as the car key. If you have lost your car title, please call us toll-free at (866) 392-4483 and we can give you instructions on what to do based on your state.

Is My Car Donation Tax-Deductible?

Our charities are non-profit organizations and a vehicle donation on their behalf is completely tax-deductible for taxpayers that itemize. Individual tax situations may vary so please check with your tax professional. (Please be aware that to qualify for a tax deduction, you must not receive, in exchange, any goods and/or services from the 501 (C)(3) nonprofit organization receiving your car donation.)

How Is The Tax Deduction Amount On A Car Donation Determined?

The amount of the tax deduction is based on the sale price of your vehicle. Vehicles that sell for over $500 entitle you to a deduction equal to the sale price. If your vehicle sells below $500 you may take the greater amount of either the sale price, or the fair market value of the vehicle (up to a maximum of $500). This means that in most cases, your minimum tax deduction amount will be $500.nnYou should consult your tax professional if you have further questions. (Please be aware that to qualify for a tax deduction, you must not receive, in exchange, any goods and / or services from the 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization receiving your donation.)

Can You Estimate What The Sale Price For My Car Will Be?

Yes, we can give you an estimate, but will need the basic information requested on our donation form. We are upfront and transparent about pricing for your vehicle, and will have a conversation with you prior to assigning the vehicle to be picked up.

How Will The Car Be Picked Up?

You will be contacted by a licensed and insured towing company. They will arrange for pickup at a mutually acceptable time. We strive for you to be contacted by a tower within 24 hours of the vehicle being assigned.

How Should I Prepare For The Vehicle Pick Up?

Remove all personal belongings.

Are There Restrictions On Where You Will Pick Up?

We pick up from almost any location in all 50 states. However, if your vehicle is in a remote location we might not be able to get a buyer for your vehicle, due to the cost of towing from a remote location being higher than the sale’s price of that vehicle. We always exhaust all our vendor resources in trying to assist our customers who live in a remote area.

Must A Car Be Operational When I Donate It?

No. Vehicles do not have to be running in order to be accepted for donation.

What Happens To My Donated Car?

Your vehicle will be picked up and sold to either a licensed car dealer or a licensed vehicle recycler.

Do You Take Older Cars?

The short answer is yes, we do. A car is defined as older if it is more than 10 years old. If you are concerned about what your older car will sell for, please see the question “Can you estimate what the sale price for my car will be?”.

Do You Accept Boats And RV’s?

Yes we do! However, we suggest the donor either drive them to our Auction Facility, or pay for the tow. Unfortunately, towing these types of vehicles can be cost prohibitive at auction.

Shopping Around? Please Do.

We are confident that we utilize business practices that are as honest and transparent as any company in this business. Are we perfect? No. But, we are constantly making improvements. If you are shopping around, be sure to ask at least a few questions:nnWhat percentage of the sale of my car will go to the non-profit?nIf a company tells you 100% of the sale’s dollars goes to the non-profit, that person is misinformed. Neither the auction company, nor the tower, volunteer their services.nCan you give me a sales price estimate for my car?nOf course they can!nWhat is that company’s advertising budget?nSome donation companies literally spend millions of dollars on advertising, instead of channeling those funds to nonprofits.nIs the donation company its own nonprofit? If so, why?nMany of these companies are their own nonprofit. You can easily pull up a recent IRS 990 filing to get a better idea of how their vehicle donation money is spent.

How Does Donate For Charity Work With My Favorite Nonprofit?

Donate For Charity is under contract with your favorite nonprofit, and are their authorized agent for selling cars. We ensure that your nonprofit gets the maximum amount from your vehicle donation proceeds by individually managing the sale of every vehicle at one of numerous auction locations throughout the country.nnYour selected charity will receive 70% of the net proceeds from the sale of your car, depending on the sale amount (the percentage increases as the sale amount increases). Non profits are paid at the beginning of every month, for vehicles sold the previous month.

How Do I Donate My Car?

It’s simple. Either call our toll-free number (866) 392-4483 or click on the link to our car donation form. You will need to provide us with the year, make, model and approximate mileage of your vehicle.nnIn addition, you will need the vehicle identification number (VIN) which is a 17-digit number found on your registration, title or insurance policy. It can also be found on your car, near the base of the windshield, usually the left-hand side.

What Do Other Donors Have To Say About The Program?

Please view these YouTube Testimonials Donor Video Testimonials

How to Handle the Title Transfer When Donating a Car in NY

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Home » Blog » Car Donation Blog » How to Handle the Title Transfer When Donating a Car in NY

One of the biggest concerns we hear from donors is, “How do I make sure I’m no longer responsible for the car after I donate it?” It’s a valid question—after all, you don’t want to receive parking tickets or tax notices for a vehicle that’s no longer in your possession. The key to avoiding any legal confusion is ensuring the title is transferred correctly. Donating a car in NY is a generous act, but without the proper paperwork, you could still be listed as the owner, creating unnecessary headaches.

At Donate For Charity, we make the process of donating a car in NY as simple as possible, which guides you every step of the way. Car donation for charities not only supports important causes but also requires careful attention to paperwork to protect you from any future liability. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the necessary steps to transfer your title correctly, so you can donate with confidence.

Why the Title Transfer Matters When Donating a Car in NY

When donating a car in NY, the title transfer is a key step that legally shifts ownership, protecting you from future liabilities like fines, fees, or accidents tied to the vehicle. Without a proper transfer, you could remain responsible for it. However, to avoid issues, please don’t sign your title until we provide specific instructions—signing it incorrectly can invalidate it. We’ll send clear guidance after scheduling your car’s pickup.

A correct title transfer also enables us to sell the car and direct the proceeds to support nonprofit missions. Many nonprofits we partner with depend on car donations to fund their work, so handling the title properly ensures your generous gift fully benefits the cause you’ve chosen.

A Guide to Title Transfer When Donating a Car in NY

Handling the title transfer correctly is a key step when donating a car in NY to make sure the process goes smoothly. This guide will take you through the essential steps to complete the title transfer and ensure everything is in order. By following these simple steps, you can feel confident that you’ve done your part in completing the donation process.

How to Handle the Title Transfer When Donating a Car in NY

Wait for Our Instructions

Please wait to sign your car’s title until we send you tailored instructions after scheduling the pickup. This ensures the legal transfer of ownership goes smoothly, a key step in the donation process. We’ll guide you on the correct signing process to confirm the vehicle is fully removed from your responsibility.

Complete a Bill of Sale (Optional but Recommended)

While not always necessary, creating a bill of sale is a good idea. This document confirms that you no longer own the car and serves as proof of the transaction. It can be useful if you need documentation in the future.

Notify the DMV

After signing the title, you need to notify the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that the car is no longer in your name. This removes your legal responsibility for the car, which protects you from any future liabilities. You can notify the DMV either online or by submitting the required paperwork.

Remove the License Plates

In New York, the license plates stay with the vehicle’s original owner, not the car. Before finalizing your donation, remove the license plates. You can either keep them for your next vehicle or return them to the DMV, depending on your situation.

Hand Over the Title and Keys

Once all the necessary paperwork is complete, you can hand over the car’s keys and the signed title. This completes the process of donating a car in NY, which transfers ownership to our vendor. Be sure to keep a copy of the signed title and any documents related to the donation for your records.

Keep Copies of Documents

It’s important to keep copies of the signed title and any paperwork related to donating cars to charities. These documents act as proof that the donation was completed, which can be helpful for your personal records.

Donate For Charity is here to assist you with every step of the process of donating a car in NY. If you have any questions or need help, you can reach us at (866) 392-4483 or (707) 265-9200.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I donate a car if it’s not running?

Yes, you can donate a car in NY even if it isn’t running. We accept cars in any condition. We will arrange for the vehicle to be picked up and ensure the donation is completed properly, regardless of the car’s condition.

How can I find a nonprofit to donate to?

Finding a nonprofit to support is easy with our Nonprofit Search tab. This tool lets you search for organizations by state, category, and name, which can help you find a cause that aligns with your values. All nonprofits listed on our platform are in good standing with the IRS, which can guarantee that your donation is going to a reputable and trustworthy organization.

Can I donate a car if I’m not the original owner?

If you’re not the original owner, you can still donate the car as long as you have the legal right to transfer the title. This may involve having a signed bill of sale or other documentation proving that you are the current owner. The title transfer process may require extra steps. Reach out to us, and we will help you navigate it.

Final Thoughts

Donating a car in NY is a straightforward way to support a cause you care about. By following the proper steps for title transfer, you protect yourself from potential liabilities and make sure the nonprofit can use the funds from your donation as intended. Whether your car is in working condition or not, we are here to assist you with every part of the donation process.

At Donate For Charity, we make the car donation process easy and hassle-free. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact us at (866) 392-4483 or (707) 265-9200. You can also use our donation form to begin your donation today!