How to Donate Your Car in Virginia Peninsula, VA

Even vehicles that don't run can be donated to charity.

Virginia law allows residents to donate vehicles to a charity for a tax deduction. There are charities that are housed locally and nationally that accept vehicle donations. The National Kidney Foundation, for example, has an office on Sykes Avenue in Virginia Beach. Car donation programs are also common among other organizations such as churches and animal shelters. Proof of vehicle ownership, such as a title or registration, is required for any charitable donation made in Virginia.

Things You'll Need

• Proof of vehicle ownership, such as title
• Vehicle information, such as vehicle identification number, mileage, and make, model and year

Instructions

1. Select the charity to which you would like to donate. Charity information by locality and charity type is available online through groups such as Cars 4 Causes. Two of the most well-known donation groups are the National Kidney Foundation and Goodwill Industries, both with locations in the Virginia Peninsula.

2. Call the group you wish to donate to or research it online to find out what the charity accepts. The rules for donation can vary slightly by charity but a variety of vehicles are eligible for donation in Virginia -- cars, trucks, motorcycles boats and even larger items such as motor homes and small airplanes can be donated. Most groups do not require that a vehicle be in working order for donation, but prefer that the vehicle in all in one piece.

3. Fill out required paperwork from the organization taking the donation. All groups will require proof of vehicle ownership for a donation in Virginia. The vehicle title should also be signed over to the charity. Other vehicle information may be needed at the time of transfer -- vehicle identification number, mileage, and make, model and year of vehicle.

4. Talk to charity workers about vehicle transfer. Some organizations require that automobile donations are dropped off while others will arrange pickup. The keys to the vehicle are not required to make a donation and for nonfunctioning vehicles, a towing company may need to be contacted. The organization will provide a receipt for the donation that can be used to claim a tax deduction for up to the sale value of the vehicle.

References

• IRS: A Donor's Guide to Vehicle Donations
• National Kidney Foundation: Kidney Cars
• Goodwill Industries: Donation Acceptance Guidelines

Resources

• Cars 4 Cause: Supported Charities Directory