How to Donate a Car in Westchester, New York

If you live in the Westchester area of New York, and you have a car that you no longer want to keep around, donate it to a local charity. Donating your car to a charitable organization allows you to help out an organization while earning a tax deduction at the same time. Typically charities accept both working and non-working cars for donation. When you are ready to donate your car in Westchester, you don't even have to drive the car to the charity as it will be picked up in most instances.

Instructions

1

Use the NADA Guides website (see Resources) to check the fair market value of your car. Enter your Westcheste zip code for the most accurate appraisal. You need the fair market value of the car to claim the donation on your taxes. If the value is over $5,000, you must get a written appraisal of the vehicle for your taxes.

2

Pick a Westchester charity to be the beneficiary of your car donation. Some of the local area charities that accept car donations include Habitat for Humanity of Westchester, Westchester Alzheimer's Association and SPCA of Westchester County. You can find other charities on the Charity Vault website (see Resources).

3

Set up a date and time for your car to be picked up by the charity you have selected. Some charities have online forms that you can fill out to schedule your pickup appointment. For example, SPCA of Westchester County uses the Donate Car USA site and Westchester Alzheimer's Association uses the Donate A Car website. A driver will come to tow away the vehicle, unless you plan on driving it to the donation center.

4

Take your New York plates and clean your personal items out of the vehicle before the driver arrives to take the car.

5

Sign your New York car title and give it to the driver when you car is picked up. Get your pickup donation receipt from the driver, which you need for your taxes.