How to Donate Cars in New Jersey

By Justine Depalma

  • Overview

    Help others and yourself by donating a car to charity. Thousands of New Jersey charities accept donated vehicles. The charities sell the cars at auction to raise money for worthy causes. Donors receive a deduction from their federal income tax for the sale price of the car. Donating a car is easy and rewarding.
    • Step 1

      New Jersey residents can donate a car to Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks is a non-profit organization devoted to providing support and advocacy for families with autistic children. Autism Speaks uses a car donation auction service that picks up and sells donated cars. Autism Speaks receives a portion of the sales proceeds. To donate a car to Autism Speaks, telephone (866) 448-3487.
    • Step 2

      Contact Operation Family Fund's car donation program at (866) 392-4483. Operation Family Fund is a 501 (c) (3) organization that provides financial assistance to the families of military service people. It uses an auction service to pick up and sell donated autos and receives about 70 percent of the sales proceeds.


    • Step 3

      Select Breast Cancer Fund as the charity to receive your donated auto. Breast Cancer Fund is a not for profit organization that advocates on issues involving breast cancer. It is a voice to make products safer and to educate the public about environmental causes of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Fund receives over 70 percent of the proceeds from the sales of donated vehicles. Contact Breast Cancer Fund at (866) 392-4483.
    • Step 4

      Remove license plates and return them to a New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission office. It is illegal to put the plates on another vehicle without filing transfer plate forms and paying a fee.
    • Step 5

      Complete the title. To donate a car in New Jersey, you must transfer ownership of the auto to the charity. Complete the back of the title. Include the charity's name, address and the date of the donation. Fill in the correct odometer reading. Give the title to the charity when they pick up the car. The charity will file the title with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
    • Skill: Moderately Easy
    • Tip: Take photographs of the car to document the donation for the I.R.S.
    • Tip: Keep the receipt or statement of donation that you receive from the charity. I.R.S. regulations limit the donation to the gross sales price of the car.
    • Warning:
    • Consult with your tax preparer to make certain that you are following I.R.S. regulations.

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