Car Donation Tax Deduction

One deduction that many people overlook when considering the tax benefits of charitable giving is that of a car donation. You can get a car donation tax deduction if you donate a vehicle to most any nonprofit organization. There are car donation services devoted especially to accepting donated cars and using them for charitable purposes. One such organization is called Cars 4 Causes and is in California. They work with a long list of charities and one of the best things about Cars 4 Causes is that 100 percent of the proceeds goes to charity.

Even if you are not in California there is most likely a car donation service near you. These services will send a towing company to pick up your vehicle. All you will need to do is fill out a little paperwork, transfer the car title to the car donation service and hand over your car keys. Cars aren't the only thing you can donate to these services. Trucks, vans, recreational vehicles and even boats can be donated. These donation programs will usually sell your donated vehicle and give the money from the sale to charity.

Of course you can work directly with a the charity of your choice also. One great charity that is hosting a car donation program is Easter Seals. They will come pick up your donated vehicle and all the proceeds will be given to the Easter Seals organization which has been helping people with disabilities for nearly a century. Your local United Way or Salvation Army would also be an ideal charity organization for car donation. They may want to use the car for their own purposes like charitable errands or they may sell the car and use the funds for whatever need is the most urgent.

To learn more about the car donation tax deduction speak with a customer service representative at the IRS or a trusted tax professional. The average deduction for a donated car is up to $500. If the charitable organization sells your vehicle and gets more than $500 for it they can provide you with a letter stating the sale price so you can get a bigger deduction. Although tax deductions shouldn't be the prime motivator for charitable giving this can certainly encourage more people to donate their unwanted items.

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