My mom and brother have donated cars to charity before.
From their experience, I learned a few things about the process.
The biggest thing I learned: It's so quick and simple!
Here's how to donate a car to the charity of your choice...
How To Donate A Car To Charity
You just call the charity of your choice 24/7 and leave a message (or complete their online form). They call you back and arrange a pick-up date.The type of car and its condition are not even important. They will take virtually ANY vehicle -- running or not. (Exceptions may include older vehicles whose value would not offset the cost of towing.) My brother's car was definitely on its last legs, and not even running anymore.
These car donation centers don't delay either... they want your vehicle RIGHT AWAY.
So if you've got a junker just sitting there taking up space, give 'em a call. Odds are, you can have it gone within a couple of days. It's completely free AND you get a tax write-off for it!
In 2005, there were some changes that affect the amount that you can deduct however...
Recent Car Donation Tax Deduction Info
The biggest news for vehicle donations is this:You can no longer automatically deduct the Fair Market Value of your vehicle. President Bush signed the American Jobs Creation Act into law which reduced the deduction allowed for vehicles donated to most charities after December 31, 2004.
As a result, the value of your donation made to a vehicle donation program is:
or...
- The sale price (determined after the vehicle is sold by the charity) -- if more than $500
- A maximum fair market value up to $500 -- if sold by the charity for less than $500
(The charity must inform you of the amount the vehicle sold for within 30 days of selling the vehicle.)
Restrictions to this apply IF your total charitable contributions exceed 20% of your adjusted gross income.
Here's everything you need to know about donating a car to charity.
Car Donation Centers To Consider
Some companies will arrange for the pickup of your car and give you a tax receipt in return. Others (like Kars 4 Kids) will give you other small incentives as well:
Kars 4 Kids -- your vehicle donation to this organization benefits Joy for Our Youth (JOY), an international organization providing for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of distressed and at-risk youth AND you get a free vacation!
Vehicle Donation To Any Charity (V-DAC) -- endorsed by Tom & Ray, the CarTalk guys (aka "Click & Clack")... here's why.
America's Car Donation Charities Center -- They have processed over 500,000 car donations for hundreds of charities since 1992!
800-Charity-Cars -- They are the first and only national charity of its kind that provides donated vehicles free of charge to struggling families willing to work and become self-sufficient, tax-paying members of the community.
Donate Car USA -- You can donate cars, trucks, vans, boats, planes, even lots and real estate. UPDATE: See the Comment at the end of this article.
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Good News Garage has been running a "wheels to work" program that helps those in need get reliable transportaion through donated cars since 1996. Feel free to check us out!
We help out over 80+ charities. So if you want to
Donate a car check out our web site at:
http://www.carshelpingamerica.org.
Thanks
The great thing is all you need to do is call someone and they'll take care of everything for you including picking up the vehicle, etc.
I have another good source for you.. http://www.donateyourcartocharity.org/
It has a directory of charities sorted by location or charity type.
Hi, would like you to consider adding our url to your resources. http://www.melwood.org/car-donation/
Regarding Melwood, expect a quick and easy process from our experience processing over 150,000 vehicle donations. Melwood, a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization, proudly serves more than 2,100 individuals with disabilities.
www.DonationLine.com accepts Car Donations for over 375 charities all over the United States.
Man I love the layout of your site...its so fun. Anyway, I put together a non-profit car donation guide at http://donate-things.org . Would love to hear what you think of it.
Thanks for the info. There's something else related to car donation I'd like to point out: The charity you wish to support has to be a section 501 (3) (c) organization to qualify you to a car donation deduction tax. Charities are educational, religious and charitable non-profit organizations. If the organization you want to donate your vehicle to is not a charity in the eyes of the IRS, you can't get a car donation deduction tax. All legal charities are listed in the IRS Publication 78 called Cumulative list of Organizations or on www.irs.gov/eo. Even if you qualify for a car donation deduction tax, your deduction can not be larger than 50% of your adjusted gross income.
Regards,
Michael