How to Donate Your Auto to Children's Wish Foundation International

The Children's Wish Foundation International grants the wishes of terminally ill children around the world. One of the methods they use to raise money for their work is through proceeds from the sale of donated cars, trucks and boats. When you donate your auto to the Children's Wish Foundation you not only put it to good use, you avoid the hassle and expense of getting rid of the old car. If you itemize your taxes you also qualify for a sizable tax deduction.

Things You'll Need

• Vehicle title Keys IRS tax information

Instructions

1. Contact Children's Wish Foundation International to donate your old auto. You may donate your old vehicle online (see link below) or by calling 1-800-567-3492. Once you've pledged to donate your auto, Children's Wish Foundation takes care of the paperwork and will arrange, and pay, to pick up the vehicle.

2. Provide personal information such as your name, address, phone number; the car's vehicle identification number (VIN), the year made, make, model, color, and odometer reading. You'll be asked for a description of the car's condition as well. This is optional in some states. In others, you must disclose any mechanical problems or damage to the vehicle.

3. An agent for Children's Wish Foundation will call within a few days to arrange for pickup. While you're waiting, remove any personal items from the car. IF you think the car will be sold for $5000 or more, have it appraised. The IRS requires an appraisal to document a tax deduction on a vehicle sold at that price.

4. Fill out the title and sign it when the agent from Children's Wish Foundation arrives. After the agent signs the title, make a photocopy, then give the agent the keys and title. Keep the receipt. Children's Wish Foundation will send you an acknowledgment that states the price the car sold for within 30 days of the sale. You'll need this for your tax records, since you must use the sale price (not fair market value) as the amount of your deduction unless the sale price is under $500.

Tips & Warnings

• To get a tax deduction for a donated vehicle you must file an itemized return and include IRS Form 8283 (Noncash Donations) with your return.

References

• Children's Wish Foundation Car Donation Program
• IRS Car Donation Guidelines