Donating Your Automobile to Help Charity

Volunteering and donating are the most common things that people do to show support for their favorite charities. Donations can be in the form of money and/or goods. People usually donate food and used items such as clothing, shoes, furniture, tools and equipment. But what some people might not know is donating a car, old or unused, to charity is also possible and that they can get a tax break in return.

In fact, cars are not the only vehicles they can donate to charity. Other vehicles such as trucks and vans are also accepted. They may be old, in dire need of repair or not running at all. It does not matter-charities will take them and either give them to people in need of their own transportation or sell them and use the proceeds to fund other projects.

Repairable vehicles can be fixed and given to families who need it. These families cannot afford to buy cars, but they need their own transportation to be able to access better jobs. Having their own vehicle would also enable them to move to better areas in terms of living conditions, but commuting to shops and jobs is not a good option in some cases. A car donation charity can help them overcome these difficulties and make a better life for themselves and their families.

Some vehicles may be beyond repair and can only be sold for parts and scrap metal. This does not mean that they cannot be used to benefit other people in need. Charitable organizations can use the proceeds of the sale to fund other projects.

For the owners, a car donation charity is not their only option for disposing their old, unused or damaged vehicles. They can repair and sell the vehicles themselves, or they can trade them in a dealership. Both cases require a significant investment of time and effort for the owners.

For instance, even if they can fix a car for resale, they would still need to put up ads, answer inquiries and try to strike an agreement with prospect after prospect. Trading a car in a dealership involves fewer hassles, but they may never be sure that they are getting a fair price. Donating them to charity on the other hand is a simple transaction, making owners eligible for a corresponding tax break.
Charities can help donors understand how the tax break process works, but a simple rule of thumb is, the tax deduction is based on the fair market value of the donated vehicle or the amount for which the charity is able to sell the vehicle. For example, a donated car is evaluated at $1000, but if the charity is only able to sell it for $800, only $800 is tax-deductible.

Donating a car or other types of vehicles is a generous way of showing support to a deserving charity. By being able to provide other families their own transportation or giving the charity another means to fund projects, donors are making a difference in other people's lives, whether they know it or not. Getting a tax break is just icing on the cake.

If you have a car that may not sell for much, why not look into donating a car to one of the many charities in your area. Car donation charity is easy and will also count as a deduction on your taxes.