How to Donate a Car That Needs Work
Cars don't need to be in perfect running order in order to be donated to charity. Many charities exist that will accept vehicle donations even if the car doesn't run, because they can sell the vehicle at auction for parts and make a profit that will benefit their cause. Regardless of how much work your car needs, you'll find an organization in your area that will be happy to take it off your hands.
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Instructions
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Determine which charity you'd like to donate your car to. If you don't already have an organization in mind, log on to www.donatecarusa.com, a website dedicated to helping individuals donate their cars, trucks and recreational vehicles to charities in their area. On their website you have the ability to search for charities by state and fill out and submit the vehicle donation form to the charity of your choice.
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Research the charity thoroughly if you are unfamiliar with the organization. This will ensure that you are donating your car to a legitimate, tax-exempt charity that will use the funds from your donation towards a cause that you support. It is also important to realize that just because an organization advertises a need for car donations in your area doesn't mean that they are a local charity. Some larger organizations solicit donations throughout the country, so if you want your donation to benefit your local community, it is important to determine where the funds will be used.
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Find out how much of the proceeds from the car donation actually go to benefiting your selected charity if you are working with a third-party broker. These for-profit businesses take a portion of the vehicle sale as a fee before giving the money to the charity of your choosing. In some cases, a charity may only receive 20 percent of the money from a donated car.
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Transfer the car's title to the organization and make a copy of the title for your records. The title will need to be turned over to the charity along with the donated car.
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Take a photograph of the car that you are donating and obtain a reliable estimate of the car's value by checking the updated market guides or dealer price listings. This information may be necessary for tax purposes when you claim the car as a deduction.
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Set up a time for the car to be picked up to finalize the donation. Make sure to obtain a receipt before the car is taken away.
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