Has anyone ever donated their car?

I am going to have to get rid of my 1993 Ford Escort as much as I dont want to. (I get sentimental about these things). We havent used it since February and there are a million things wrong with it. So much that it wouldnt be worth getting it fixed.

Would it be better to donate it (get a tax write off) or sell it to someone who is interested in fixing it up for like $2-300? I am not trying to profit its just that I would rather it be put to use in some way rather than just rot somewhere.

Are these donate your car companies legit? I just looked in the paper and there are several with little kids in the ad stating its a good cause, etc. Has anyone had any experience with these companies? Any information would be helpful - thanks in advance!

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

They are legit but you no longer get the tax deduction you would have if you did it earlier. You used to get the deduction of the bluebook value of the car.

If you have an accountant, it's probably worth the call.

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

I've donated a car. The rules have changed though. I know there is a limit now on how much they will value your car at - as far as a tax write off.
I think you can get information on it from the IRS website.

If you are not looking to make any money, I would deifnitely donate the car. A lot of the organizations end up scrapping the car and getting $$ for the scrapped metal.

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

I have donated cars, but the tax laws have changed. You can still claim it on your taxes, but, instead of the bluebook value, you need information from the company you donated it to as to how much they sold it for.

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

This is great everyone - thanks so much!

I think I will give my acct a call to see what he says regardless.

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

If you are wary to donate to one of the car donation "places" you can always donate it to your local fire department. They are always looking for donated cars so that they can practice rescue techniques with them.

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

All I remember is that you need to itemize your deductions (which I didnt have enough to itemize when I donated) but your accountant would be the best one to ask.

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

i did and then h&r block said i coulfdnt use it as a write off!!!!!!!!!! he said i could use the generic one OR the car

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

you could donate to your local fd, like someone else said. DH did that once

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

Posted by Lolita4Life

i did and then h&r block said i coulfdnt use it as a write off!!!!!!!!!! he said i could use the generic one OR the car

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

I just did recently. I got the info from the organization I donated to and they told me exactly what to do. Then a contractor came and got the car. I don't know if I will get a write off or not, since the car wasn't worth that much. I did it partially so that the organization could benefit and it made getting rid of it a lot easier for me.

You might have to itemize your deductions in order to take it as a write off. If you generally use the standard deduction, you might not be able to take it.

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

several years ago my parents donated their car to the l'chayim society. they got a tax deduction for it

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

I haven't personally donated a car but I work for the local township and part of my office handles impounded vehicles...I can't tell you how many vehicles they get in over there and have people calling (by law they have to notify the last owner of record in NYS) saying that they donated the car etc...it makes me wonder what the places who are accepting donated cars actually do with them??

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

We have donated 2 cars in the past....one they actually picked up last week. I actually donated to the cystic fibrosis foundation, because my best friend passed away from CF recently so I figured it was a worthy cause.


cff car donation

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

i usually donate to long island food bank. they take cars as long as they run

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

yes - i donated my first car to a charity called Heritage for the Blind. any $$ they made, went to making brail books and different programs for the charity and its members.

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

Re: Has anyone ever donated their car?

Yes I donated my old car i had A cutless supreme to the blind!And did you know when you donate your car you have to add that to your income taxes and get money back from doing that!