Donating a car

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Anyone ever donate a car? Want to donate a car vs. sell it. Any experiences? Tax deduction?

[Ziggythecat]

https://www.cardonationwizard.com/taxes.jsp

[mgatepi]

I donated a 2002 Pontiac 2 years ago. My son used it during college and it was pretty beat up. I took the $500 deduction.
They take the cars to auction and if it brings more than the 500, you get to write off more. So 500 is the min.
The process was simple, we called, signed it over and they picked it up. No issues.

[Tobra]

Mom is about to do this with her Lincoln, will report back

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Ziggythecat

https://www.cardonationwizard.com/taxes.jsp

Thanks, that helps a lot. I understand the rampant abuse in valuation but all they needed to do was give you NADA Poor value as long as it runs and drives.

I wish I knew someone who could use a solid, dependable car, I'd just give it to them.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by mgatepi

I donated a 2002 Pontiac 2 years ago. My son used it during college and it was pretty beat up. I took the $500 deduction.
They take the cars to auction and if it brings more than the 500, you get to write off more. So 500 is the min.
The process was simple, we called, signed it over and they picked it up. No issues.

Who did you call?

[vash]

my mom donated her mercedes after hearing how much it depreciated. i helped her.

she called the SPCA, and got the ball moving. that was all she did. the organization did everything else.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Good to know, thanks.

[mgatepi]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Who did you call?

Sorry had to check with wifey! It was Goodwill

[Shaun @ Tru6]

thanks

[2porscheguy]

I donated my son's 2005 Mazda 3 to the kidney foundation:

https://www.kidney.ca/kidneycar

It was super easy..they picked it up and mailed me a $300 tax receipt...easy-peazy!
I'm not sure if they do the same in the USA?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Just make sure it's legitimate. A friend with more money than sense donated a Ford Excursion that on Craigslist was probably between a $5k and $10k vehicle. They later sent him a $1000 receipt for their donation on his behalf. Turns out it's pretty common for these companies to auction your car, make a small donation, then pocket the difference. In theory they are supposed to auction your car then donate the entire amount.

[Pazuzu]

https://www.wgbh.org/support/vehicle-donation

Boston PBS

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

I wish I knew someone who could use a solid, dependable car, I'd just give it to them.

Don't you know anyone with a college age student that could use it?

Seems every time I check C-list there's always someone looking for a car. Granted they want a small, low mileage economical creampuff most times but heck. A good running car is worth a lot to someone who has to get to work to pay the bills.

Years ago when Mom passed we donated her Volvo, but it had quit running on me on a busy street so I wasn't about to try to fix it and sell it. It just wasn't worth the effort.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

^^^ I'm giving it to a friend for his daughter in college, so I'm thrilled.

[Scott Douglas]

As long as it doesn't cost her much to run it, that's great.

[Jeff Higgins]

I donated a mid 1980's T-Bird to Volunteers of America many years ago. They came with a flatbed to pick it up, gave me a receipt for low Bluebook value, I signed the title over, and it was done. Could not have been easier. Did the same a few years later with a mid 1990's Tempo, with the exact same outcome. Both cars had mechanical issues that would have exceeded their value to repair. They fix them up and auction them off, making at least some money they can then use for whatever charitable endeavor they see fit. Win-win for everyone.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

As long as it doesn't cost her much to run it, that's great.

Just gas.

[robertharden55]

Good!