Title Transfer

• All paperwork must be followed according to official guidelines. To transfer a car's title, the donor signs the title's release and fills in the assignment category with the charity's name and address. If more than one person owns the car or is otherwise listed on the state title, he must also sign, as no substitutions or incomplete transfers will be honored. The exception is if the title includes the word "or" between owner names, in which case either person has authority to make the transfer.
  
  

Necessary Paperwork

• For those who may not have the vehicle title at hand, a replacement document may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles, which generally responds within 2 to 4 weeks. In addition to the car's properly transferred title, unencumbered by any outstanding liens, the registration must be updated and included in the donation process. While the state does not require an inspection immediately prior to donation, that is always advisable before expiration, so the charity is not stuck with an unanticipated repair bill before the sale.
  
  

Tax Deductibility

• All vehicles donated to 501c3 charities properly registered with the Internal Revenue Service are tax-deductible for the donor. The recipient nonprofit organization provides all necessary documentation to support the deduction, and charities experienced in accepting donated cars will have official forms and estimated values as part of their guidelines.
  
  

Vehicle Types and Plates

• All donated vehicles require a Pennsylvania title. Cars are typically the most-donated vehicles, but others include ATVs, mobile homes, snowmobiles and engine-equipped boats. All other procedures are the same for donating these vehicles. All plates should be unfastened and returned to the Pennsylvania DMV, unless donors would like to use them for another vehicle that falls within the same class.