Dec 14th, 2005Well, it's that time of year again! The holiday season with long shopping lists, cards to send out, vacations to plan -- and it's also time to think of your last-minute tax deductions for 2005. There is still time to claim a deduction for your donated car, boat, RV or motorcycle for this tax year! If you call our toll-free number 1 (877) 505-5775 before midnight on December 31st to donate your vehicle -- or better yet, donate online before midnight Dec 31st, 2005 -- then you can still claim your tax deduction for 2005, even though your vehicle will not be picked up until the new year. Have a Happy Holiday!
Here are a few important points to remember about claiming a tax deduction when you donate a car, boat or RV.
In order to benefit from the tax write-off for a vehicle donation, you must itemize your deductions.
You will be able to claim a deduction for the value of your vehicle up to $500 with a simple receipt from the charity you donate the vehicle to stating that the vehicle was donated.
If your donated car sells for more than $500, then you will receive a second receipt from the car donation charity with the sale value of your vehicle. The charity must provide this receipt with 30 days of the sale of your vehicle. You can claim the full sale value of your car donation. No charity can predict what a vehicle will sell for at the time of auction -- but they can often give you a ball-park idea of what to expect. There are no guarantees, though, for what any particular vehicle will sell for when it goes on sale on the auction lot -- but generally newer vehicles (within 7 years of age), luxury cars, SUVs and pickup trucks will bring a good price at auction, even if the vehicle has been in an accident.
If the charity you donate the vehicle to will use the car you donate for their charitable purposes, or if they sell it at a reduced price to a low income family, or if the charity makes significant repair before selling the vehicle, then you can claim the Fair Market Value of your vehicle as a tax deduction. If the FMV is over $5000 you will need to get an appraisal of your vehicle and fill out the 8283 IRS form, which must be signed by the appraiser and the charity that receives the donation.
Remember that if you call a car donation charity before midnight on December 31st of 2005 then you will still be able to claim your tax deduction for the 2005 tax year, even if it takes a week or two to pick up the car and get it sold. The date you call and pledge your donation is the date that counts as being the date you donated your car.
Thank you for considering a car donation to charity! -- You can make a difference in someone's life!
Nov 14th, 2005What is the most common question that we are asked about car donations? The question that wins the prize for being the most popular ;-) is : "Can you pick up my car even if it's not running?"
The answer to this question is also simple: We can! The only thing that would prevent us from being able to pick up a donated vehicle is if the tow charges that we would need to pay to get the car picked up would be more than the value of the donated vehicle. We often pick up non-running vehicles, even vehicles that have been wrecked or totaled -- as these vehicles still have value for parts or salvage.
So if you have a car, truck or other vehicle that isn't running or needs expensive repair -- why don't you consider donating your vehicle to charity? You will get the car towed at no cost to you, and we will take care of all the necessary paperwork for you. It's easy, it's fast and it's free! And you will be able to claim a tax deduction for your donation as well! And the best thing is that you know your vehicle donation is going to a good cause and is going to make a difference in someone's life!
Nov 11th, 2005This 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!
Nov 4th, 2005Here are 5 Great Reasons to Donate a Car this Christmas!
1. Your car donation can make a big difference in someone's life! -- So many Americans have suffered from Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita and now Hurricane Wilma, and your car donation can help relieve the suffering by supporting Activated Ministries' ministry of encouragement and spiritual healing for the disaster victims.
2. We will accept your vehicle even if it's not running -- so if you just haven't been able to take care of that blown transmission, or you don't want to invest more in repairs -- then why not donate?
3. You'll be able to claim a tax deduction for the 2005 tax year -- and that can mean a tax savings for you!
4. There is absolutely no cost to you if you donate a car to Donate a Car 2 Charity -- we will take care of the towing and all the paperwork. It's hassle free!
5. You can get your older vehicle moved out of the driveway to make way for a new one!
Nov 1st, 2005Remember that there are only two months remaining in the 2005 tax year and if you have a vehicle that you haven't been able to sell, or that needs repair and you haven't gotten fixed yet, then now is the time to think about donating your car to charity. All car donations that are pledged by midnight, December 31st will count as a 2005 tax deduction. How much will you be able to declare for your tax write off? Well that depends on whether your donated vehicle is sold by the charity, or if it is used for the charitable purpose of the organization. If the car donation is sold at auction or sold for parts, then you can claim as a deduction the sale value of the vehicle. If the vehicle is used for the charity's nonprofit purpose, then you can claim the fair market value of your car donation. So think about donating your car today! -- and give us a call so we can arrange pickup of your vehicle.
Oct 27th, 2005There has been some substantial changes in the IRS requirements for those who make car donations to claim the Fair Market Value of the vehicle. Just to recap these changes:
As of January 1st, 2005 those who make a charitable vehicle donation which is subsequently sold by the charity can claim what the charity receives when selling the donated vehicle. If the sale value of the vehicle is more than $500 then the car donation charity must provide a sales receipt to the donor for their tax deduction.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule which make it possible for you to claim the Fair Market Value of your car donation:
1. If the charity does not sell the car but keeps it for use in their charitable purpose. In other words, if the charity receives a donated truck, van or car and this vehicle is retained by the charity and used for their programs or services, then the donor can claim the Fair Market Value of the vehicle.
2. If the charity makes substantial repairs to the vehicle before selling it -- again, in this case the donor would be able to claim the Fair Market Value.
3. If the car is sold at a discounted price to a low income family or individual. Your vehicle may qualify for a full fair market value tax deduction, especially if it is in sound mechanical condition, or if the repairs that are required to bring the vehicle to running condition do not exceed the value of the car.
If you have any questions about what you can claim for your car donation -- give us a call & ask. We\'d be happy to explain your options. 1 (877) 505-5775
"She was suffering from all sorts of things she was dehydrated, she was dizzy and not in a very good way altogether, and because she was deaf it was hard to communicate with her. So Topaz started talking to her and they brought in another interpreter and together they established that she was pretty sick and she'd lost her 16-year-old completely..."
For complete story, click on picture or follow this link Deaf Evacuee Reunited
Sep 10th, 2005Small part of the sleeping area at the George R. Brown Convention Center
“After spending time at the Houston Astrodome helping the evacuees, our team
of two adults and four teens went to the George R. Brown Convention
Center where the most recent evacuees had arrived.”
For the complete story, click on the picture or follow this link: News from the George R Brown Center
"My wife, Topaz, and I were the first volunteers from The Family International to have access to the evacuees at the Astrodome. We entered the Astrodome on the 4th floor and we looked down and all we could see was a sea of green cots with people on them..."
For complete story, click on picture or follow this link: Day One at the Astrodome
