Donate A Car But First, Know The Facts

Okay, so you're interested in learning how to donate a car to charity. You wouldn't be reading this otherwise, right? The first thing you'll have to determine is whether or not your car is worth donating. And any easy way to determine if it's worth donating is this: we take everything! While they may appreciate the sentiment, you can't just donate a car that is an absolute wreck to other car donation services; if you just totaled your car and don't know what to do with it, you can't just donate it to these other charities and get a big tax break. The car you donate has to be at least somewhat salvageable. But with us, you can donate a car that's just been damaged in an accident. Sure, you might get a lower tax break than if you were to donate your new car, but you'll still get a tax break. The tax break you get for deciding to donate a car is commensurate with the value of the car. Sounds easy enough, right?

Get The Value

If you're looking for an approximate value of the car you're thinking about donating, there are several options for you - and they're all linked on our website. Kelly Blue Book is a good tool for people who have decided to donate a car that's still running and in relatively good condition. The NADA Appraisal guides are also excellent resources, and Edmunds gives you the current value for used and new cars based on your zip code. Less official but still useful are sites like AutoTrader or Cars.com - they contain listings of new and used vehicles all over the country.  When you donate a car to charity, remember that although you will receive some compensation in the form of tax breaks, the real benefit lies in the assistance you're giving to a noble cause. 

Is Car Donation The Next Logical Step In The Green Movement?

Nowadays, kids in kindergarten are being taught to recycle. Everyone has two bins - one for trash and one for recycling. Multi-national corporations trade carbon credits and pay attention to the amount of greenhouse gases they're emitting into the atmosphere. Governments enforce the laws that regulate the carbon tax system. We just celebrated Earth Day, a day of recognition for the importance of following environmentally-sound practices. Going green has gone mainstream, and car donation is just another step in the ladder that ascends toward environmental harmony. When you decide to go ahead with car donation, you aren't just removing a dead car from your lawn, and you're not just helping those less fortunate than you via a charity; you're also recycling. You are taking the otherwise useless vehicle and turning it into something profitable. Rather than just sticking your old car in a landfill or a junkyard somewhere, where it'll just take up space and negatively impact the environment, you're actually finding an entirely new purpose for a previously useless material item. Car donation, therefore, is the very definition of recycling, except on a much grander scale that will have a much better effect. 

Go Green; Choose Car Donation 

Rather than simply letting your car rot on your property or junking it somewhere, why not do the environment - not to mention your wallet, too - a huge favor a go with car donation instead. With us, it's fast, painless, and completely free. You can rest assured that the charity we benefit is a worthwhile cause, and you can do it all in just a few easy steps. Just call us  or email us and we'll give you the lowdown. There's not much to tell, of course, except for that fact that you can handle all the arrangements over the phone or online and we'll take over from there. It's easy enough already, but even easier when you realize that you're helping the environment. Go green and go with car donation! 

This is an important question to ask when you donate a car to charity -- what will your vehicle sell for when it goes to auction? There is no way to know for sure what a particular vehicle will bring in at an auction, but here are a few guidelines that may be helpful to you: Older non-running vehicles: Generally if you donate a car that is more than 10 years old and it is not running, then it will most likely be sold for parts. In this case, you will probably receive a maximum tax deduction of $500. Trucks, Vans or SUVs: If you donate a pickup truck, SUV or van that is less than 15 years old, then there is a good chance it will be sold at auction. Even if the truck, SUV or van is not running, these vehicles bring a good return at auction and you will often get a deduction that is close to what you would expect if you sold the vehicle yourself. Luxury cars: Many luxury cars that are donated to charity will also be sold at auction, and will bring a good sale value. So if you are considering making a car donation it's good to remember that the sale value of your vehicle will depend on the age and condition of the vehicle, though vehicles that are sold at auction often have a high sale value and will mean a sizeable charity tax deduction. It's easy, fast, convenient and when you donate your car to charity you know that your vehicle donation will help to make a difference in someone's life!

A 1994 Jeep Cherokee with 200 k miles and in fair condition sold at auction for $1550. So the owner was able to claim a tax deduction of $1550 for donating his vehicle to charity.