Donate a vehicle to a charity or cause

What must I do to donate a vehicle to a charity or a cause? Must I notify the DMV? Am I eligible for tax deductions?

You can transfer vehicle ownership to a charity or a cause in the same way you transfer ownership of a vehicle as a gift to an individual. You are not required to notify the DMV. Contact your tax adviser about the effect on your taxes.

If you plan to donate your vehicle to a charity or to a cause, the DMV recommends that you verify that the charity or cause and their vehicle donation program are legitimate. When you contact the organization you can:

Determine if the charity is registered as an automobile dealer in New York State or another state. If not, ask what the charity will do with your donated vehicle. Ask how your vehicle will be converted into assets to support the charity.

Ask what name to enter in the new owner section of the title certificate, and ask who will pick up your donated vehicle. Do not accept instructions to leave the new owner section of the title certificate blank.

Determine if the charity is registered or regulated. One source for this information is the New York State Attorney General Charities Bureau. You can also search the Internet for information about the charity or cause.

If you are not confident that the organization is a legitimate organization, and that your donated vehicle will be correctly handled, you can consider a donation to another organization.

When you have selected an organization, and you are ready to donate your vehicle, the DMV recommends that you:

Remove the vehicle plates, registration sticker, registration document, inspection sticker, insurance ID card, and your personal property from the vehicle.

Complete all of the transfer information on the back of your NYS title certificate. Make sure you complete the section of the title certificate that indicates the name of the new owner. Do not leave the new owner section of the title certificate blank. Do not donate your vehicle to an organization that instructs you to leave the new owner section blank.

Complete all other forms and documents required to transfer ownership of your vehicle (for example, complete form MV-103 if required). The DMV website has information about how to sell your vehicle or transfer your vehicle as a gift.

Keep copies of all documents, advertisements, brochures, and receipts related to the charity and the transfer.

Verify the identity of the person or organization that removes the vehicle from your property. Verify that this is the same person or organization that the charity or cause organization identified.

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