Donate your car: 2012

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Salvation Army Car Donation Program Further the Cause of Adult Rehabilitation Programs

Salvation Army Car Donation Program - Further the Cause of Adult Rehabilitation Programs

One truism is that no one is perfect and that everyone makes mistake in life. For people with lives in a state of repair, getting a fair start on the new life you want to create for yourself and your family is often difficult, if not for the help of charitable organizations. Most people are familiar with donating clothes and household goods to the local Salvation Army for people in need, but did you know that the Salvation Army has a car donation program as well?

Gift Your Vehicle To Car Donation Programs For People In Need

How do car donation programs such as the one at Salvation Army work? Well, many charitable organizations will accept cars and other vehicles, sell them at auction or for used car parts, and then use the proceeds to benefit and enrich the lives of someone who is truly struggling in life - financially or otherwise. The Salvation Army Car Donation program accepts vehicle donations but before you try to turn over the keys to your motorcycle, RV, or boat, it is best to contact your local office to double check that these donations are accepted. And if you get the "green light" then it doesn't matter whether you want to donate an almost brand new car or your old clunkers that is currently inoperable - the Salvation Army will accept all of the above. Many local offices will even make arrangements on your behalf to have your vehicle towed away, absolutely free of charge.

What is the benefit of donating your car to the Salvation Army? Well, not only are you able to "give back" to those in need, such as women and men in dire need of assistance through the nationwide Adult Rehabilitation Centers, but your vehicle donation is tax deductible in most cases. You will want to check carefully with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make sure you are following all rules and regulations about how much of a tax deduction you can legally claim.

In some states, such as Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, and Oregon, you can actually visit the online website for the Salvation Army and schedule for pickup of your vehicle online. For more detailed information on how to donate your vehicle in your area, you can reach the Salvation Army's car donation hotline at 1-800-SA-TRUCK. Charitable car donation does not get easier or more painless than that!

Purple Heart Donations

The Purple Heart is a military decoration that was first instituted by George Washington on August 7, 1782. At that point of time, it was called the Badge of Military Merit, and the original order included the phrase, "Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the purple heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen." This award was revived on the 200th Anniversary of George Washington's birth, as the Purple Heart, and bears the appearance of a heart-shaped medal within a gold border, containing a profile of General George Washington. Above the heart appears a shield of the coat of arms of George Washington (a white shield with two red bars and three red stars in chief) between sprays of green leaves.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart is a national veteran's service organization that is chartered by the Congress. The objective of this non-profit organization is to raise funds for service, welfare, educational programs, and rehabilitation work for any wounded, disabled and/or handicapped veterans, their widows, orphans or survivors. Additionally, funds may also be used to support and maintain liaison services in any or all offices of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, soldier's homes or other administration of veteran's affairs, wherever and whenever deemed necessary. It is qualified with the Internal Revenue Service as an organization exempt from income tax under I.R.C. Section 501 (c)(4) on February 26, 1959.

Donating to the Military Order of the Purple Heart has many benefits. In addition to the obvious gratification one receives from giving, you know that you are donating to a legitimate organization that has been around for a long time, and you are giving back in a small way to those who have been injured or killed while fighting for your safety. Another incentive is that purple heart donations are 100% tax deductible.

Purple heart donations can be in the form of usable household appliances, clothes, cell phones, cars, etc. People are expected to donate only those used items that are functional and in decent condition. They also make the process extremely easy by offering a pickup facility. All one needs to do is contact them on any of their toll free numbers, and request a pickup. Keep in mind that not all locations are equipped to pick up large items, and so verify with the staff member that you speak to, informing them of what you wish to donate. People can also donate their old cell phones. The purple hearts charity may get a certain amount of money for each phone that contributes towards calling cards for overseas military members. Another form of donation is to sponsor a program that aids veterans, and be financially rewarded at the same time by becoming a telephone solicitor. Cash donations are also accepted.

The purple heart car donation program is very popular and can be initiated by filling the online donation form or calling any of their toll free numbers. After providing your car donation information, you will be contacted by a towing company that will schedule a convenient pickup date. Along with your vehicle they will also pick up the title and keys. If you are a busy person and not likely to be home, it is still possible to get your vehicle picked up. All you need to do is inform the towing company where in the vehicle will you be leaving the title and keys. They will come pick up your vehicle while you are away, and leave a towing receipt. Once Purple Heart is in possession of the vehicle and title, they will mail your IRS tax-deductible donation receipt in approximately 10 - 15 business days.

More than 500,000 people have donated their vehicles to the Purple Heart car donation program. So whatever you wish to donate, pick up the phone and get on it today. For as Winston Churchill once said "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give".

Keypoints on How to Donate a Car to Charity

Maybe there is an old car in working condition which has been sitting in the garage for a few years now. You have tried slapping a for sale sign on it a few times but no offers were presented. Here is what you can do to free up some of that longed for garage space and put that car to good use.

Donate your car to a charity:

Donating the car to charity might just the idea. Doing this will not only open up space in your garage, but it will also help families in need of a vehicle be able to purchase one at a low price. Make sure that in your search for a charity the organization has a vehicle charity program.

Find a reputable charity:

Find a charity that accepts car donations. An easy way to search for a charity is online on your favorite search engine. However, beware of fraudulent charity websites. To research background information about the charity of your choice is the Charity Navigator at the website of the Better Business Bureau. Be sure to make contact with the program director in order to clear up any question you may have in relation to your vehicle donation.

Deliver It:

Take the time out to deliver the car donation on your own instead of using a middle man donation assistance service. By doing this you will be able to make sure that the charity will make the most of the value of your car donation. These are companies who promote car donation assistance services actually charge a fee that can take up to 90 percent of the total worth of your car donation! That could leave your charity of choice with less than 10 percent after the process is completed. Also, think twice about making charity of your choice pick up the vehicle themselves. Remember that these charities do not usually have their own tow trucks to pick up car donations. The charity will have to contract an outside towing service to pick up the car, which costs money.

Tax deductions:

If you are thinking about getting a fair market value tax deduction for your car donation, make sure to do your research and keep a paper file on all documentation relating to your donation. You will not receive a tax deduction from Uncle Sam if the proper steps were not taken in the process of the donation. So, be detail oriented and take the time to ensure a smooth a beneficial process for both the charity and your tax deduction.

Vehicle Title:

Make sure to have your vehicle title in hand in order to transfer over the title. Remember that this is a transfer of personal property over to the charity. If you do have a title for the vehicle, the charity will not be able to accept the donation.

How To Donate Your Car Tips

Car donations can assist several people gaining the life`s fundamental necessities like shelter, clothing, and food. By providing relief as well as assistance, it can assist the pressed to a large extent. In making car donation, there are no hassles involved here, which is the most significant thing. Soon after the value of the car gets evaluated, cars that are not operated for years are received as well. When donating a car, the car`s title is very much significant. Note that in case the title is not available, the institution still capable of making important admission. In this regard, the Motor Vehicle Department from the state of the donor can assist this too. On the car, there should not be a lien.

There is no requirement for the donor to get the car driven to the charity institution. All is handled by the institution itself. The car will be towed away by the institution using a towing company with license, bond, and no cost at all. The towing company calls the donor in three to four working days at the soonest and arrange the place and time suitable for the two parties and then the towing of the car will be done. The donor has to make sure that there is no involvement of costs that is hidden. To call the institution to arrange the time of pick up, the donor has to fill out a form of online application. Car donations should be made to institution that is registered with the IRS as the institution with concern in charity. Tax benefit is another additional benefit from getting a car donated to charity. In case the car is received by the institution of charity in subsequent to the inspection of the car, a receipt for tax deduction is then issued. Below the income tax, donation is deductible. The sum of deduction might be the car`s value until the sum in which the car is sold or until $500, if bigger than $500.

By the time you do the donation, the car shall be free from private possessions and it has to be cleaned. Note that if the donor is not available at home at pick up time, then the keys must be left on the dashboard. The responsibility of the donor for all the problem of the donated car is limited until the car is picked up by the institution. The liability of the donor are the charges of storage and all of the prior fines. Soon when the car gets towed, it becomes the institution`s responsibility.

Goodwill Donations and Your Taxes

Will I be eligible for a tax deduction for my Goodwill donations, particularly my vehicle donations?"

This concern is probably one of the most frequently asked questions received at charities with a car donation program.And it's no wonder -- the IRS laws surrounding car donation tax deductions can be more than a little confusing. Follow the guidelines below to get the most out of your vehicle donation tax deduction.

First, always make sure that the organization you choose is an eligible institution.One easy way to verify the charity is to check that they have the 501(c)(3) classification. If you're still not sure whether they are legitimate, try looking on the IRS website.There you will find many more resources to confirm that they are a true non-profit establishment.

Second, in order to be given a tax deduction for your vehicle donation, you must itemize your deductions on your taxes.All this means is that you must list your deductions out, in detail, on the proper IRS form.Not sure what types of things constitute as deductions?Refer to your local tax advisor and they can give you information on exactly what to itemize.If you do not itemize your deductions, unfortunately you cannot receive a tax deduction.However, you can still donate your car and take advantage of the free towing and good feeling helping those in need produces.

Third, stay on top of the changes in the tax laws.Beginning January 1, 2005, new laws surrounding car donation tax deductions went into place to streamline the tax process.Ultimately, these new policies give the donor two options based on what the car sells for at the public charity auction.

The first option is if your vehicle sells for $500 or less at the auction.In this case, you may write-off the fair market value of the vehicle up to $500 without further documentation on your taxes.It is up to you to determine the fair market value of the vehicle.When you get your car donation receipt in the mail from the charity, you will not need to submit it with your tax return.

The second option requires a bit more paperwork.Here, if your donated vehicle sells for over $500, you may write-off the fair market value up to the price the vehicle sold for.For example, if the car sold for $950, you may write-off that amount.However, if the vehicle sells for over $500, you will receive a 1098c form in the mail from the charity and you must include that with your other paperwork at tax time to get the tax deduction.

There you have it - the basic guidelines to getting a tax deduction from your .

Donating Your Old Junk Car

It's still sitting out there, beside your garage, right were you parked it all those years ago. You're not quite sure what to do with it. The snow has fallen to cover it, then melted and refrozen so many times that it looks like a poor attempt at an ice sculpture. Then a thought comes to mind, 'why not donate your junk car'?

There are millions of unused vehicles out there that are just languishing where they sit. Their owners do not have the time or the inclination to fix them up, it could potentially cost more to get them running again than they would be worth, even in good working order.

Towing a vehicle to a salvage yard is expensive to have done. It is dangerous, as well as time consuming, for you to do yourself. So these old junkers just sit, year after year. This is a shame because they could be put to good use. Whether as a fixer project for someone else, or as a handy tax write off for you, if donated to charity.

These old vehicles can become a liability or even hazardous if left to sit for too long. An internal combustion engine has some pretty exotic and dangerous chemicals inside of it. Over time, as metal components rust away, these chemicals can be released into the environment and are exceptionally expensive to clean up. What's worse, they can be a danger for pets and children. If it were donated; it would no longer be a worry.

There is no other single thing that will make your home look nicer, for less effort and expense, than removing that old four wheeled eye sore. It might be an important first step in improving your relationship with your neighbors as well.

The time and expense involved with selling a used vehicle can add up pretty quickly. Taking out classified ads, fielding phone calls, and an endless line of window shoppers and tire kickers. This is sure to be much worse if the car isn't in running condition. Nobody wants to buy a car that doesn't run unless it is a classic or unique auto, very few people will be interested in taking it on as a project themselves. The easiest solution is, to donate your old junk car. Many organizations who would like take your old car off of your hands, will gladly arrange to have it towed away at no expense to you. All they need from you is; the title and keys. They'll take care of everything else. You'll have the satisfaction of helping those less fortunate than your self. To say nothing of improving the look of your home and avoiding a potential threat to: children, animals, and the environment.

The best reason for you to donate your junk car is, it becomes a handy tax write off. You just need to obtain a receipt for it, to show that it went to a good cause, and your CPA will see that you get credit for it when tax season comes around.

Donate a Car For a Tax Deduction Which Car Donation Organizations Are Legitimate

Donate a Car For a Tax Deduction - Which Car Donation Organizations Are Legitimate

If you're thinking about donating a car to a charity or non-profit organization so you can get a tax deduction a few questions may come to mind. First of all you're probably wondering what car donation organizations are legitimate? Of course, you want to know that the charity or charitable organization you donate your car to is qualified and just not out to get your car for selfish monetary gain. And know that you'll be able to take a tax write-off.

You'll find there are many types of charitable organizations including religious organizations such as churches, mosques, synagogues and temples. So where do you begin.

There are many national organizations as well as local organizations. Many with names you've probably heard like Goodwill, Purple Heart for our vets, and the Kidney foundation just to name a few. But local organizations or local chapters of the national organizations will be coming to pick up your used car or tow it unless you are able to drive the car to the charity after all arrangements are made.

You want to make sure that the charity or charitable organization you choose is operating legitimately. Yes, there are car donation programs or organizations out there just looking to take your car and not providing what you need in terms of documentation for your income tax return.

However, you can avoid that by asking the charity if they are a registered 501(c)3 charity or other qualified religious organization. Ask to see proof in writing. Once your car or other vehicle changes hands it will be hard to get it back. You need to verify this so you know that they can legally accept your car and that you can legally take a tax deduction. Religious organizations are not required to get registered however.

Be aware that there are car donation intermediaries. These are companies that advertise to get you to donate your car to them and they take a good chunk of the profit. (Charities hire them to handle their car donation programs.) It could be as much as 55% or more. Ask if your charity uses an intermediary. If you want the profit to go directly to the charity you need to choose one that does not go through an intermediary.

Some charities charge a vehicle removal fee. Most legitimate charities will pick up you car or truck or other vehicle without charging a fee. In addition, if you deliver it of course, there will be no fee. So make sure to ask if there is a removal fee.

So that's what you need to know to determine which charities or charitable organizations have legitimate car donation programs. You may want to pick a name that you know has been around for a long time and check them out first. Most have local chapters so it should be easy.

Car Donation Tax Deduction Calculator

There are many sites out there on the web that can give you a car donation tax estimation. If you're considering donating your vehicle to a charity for tax deduction purposes, you might want to do some research to determine if it will work best in your favor to donate it or if it might be better to just sell or trade the vehicle.

The charity you want to donate the vehicle to has to comply with certain requirements from the IRS, if you want to claim more than $500 as a donation. You will need a statement from the charity stating that you received nothing in exchange for the donated vehicle. This has to be an official document from the Charity. Other information needed on the document is your full name and tax id., your Social Security number or EIN number, and also include the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the date you donated the vehicle. If you plan on claiming just $500 for the donated vehicle, the official documents are not necessary. The charity should furnish you the form #8283 if your vehicle is worth more than $500 and you have to attach a copy to your tax return.

You can get a deduction for your at fair market value if you get a statement from the charity stating that they will be using the vehicle themselves, for the business, or they have some disabled or other needy person that is going to be using the vehicle. If your vehicle is worth more than $500, you should use one of the Tax deduction calculators available to determine how much you can actually claim on your tax return.

To donate your car from anywhere in the country visit us at our Car Donation charity website.