Car Donation
September 18th, 2007 | by admin |
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Car Donation Programs - Look Before You Donate
By Wade Robins
Hundreds of charities have begun to adopt car donation programs as a way to raise funds or to provide themselves with no-cost vehicles to help operate their programs. But rather than managing the car donation programs themselves, they will often turn to fundraising organizations to actually handle the donation and auctioning of the vehicles. And that policy can mean a problem for you.
If you run an Internet search on car donation programs, you will get hundreds of hits from fundraisers who claim that they will let you choose from among a group of charities to which the proceeds of your car’s sale, of not the car itself, will go. And they will give you the paperwork you need to claim your car donation as a charitable deduction on your IRS return.
Taking Advice From The IRS
But the IRS itself, in recent years, has become alarmed at the proliferation of car donation programs run by fundraisers which end up keeping the bulk of the proceeds they receive for donated cars. The IRS recommends that it you are considering any of the car donation programs, you contact the people running it and get a clear answer as to whether they are charity officials, or private group acting for the charity.
If you find that they are a private group running the car donation programs of several charities, find out exactly what they plan to do with the car you donate. Will the car be repaired and given to the charity to help in its work? Or do the fundraisers intend to auction the car off and if so, how much of the proceeds will go to the fundraisers, and how much to the charity?
Car donation programs which cannot, or will not, give you clear answers to these questions are not those on which you can depend to see that your ca, or the money it brings gets, to the charity of your choosing. And if the charity does not directly receive the car or its value, you do not have the right to claim the value of the car as a deduction.
Legitimate car donation programs greatly simplify the process of connecting you with a charity which will benefit from your gift. But it’s your responsibility to research the various car donation programs in you area and ensure that as much a possible of your car’s value will be channeled to the charity, and that the charity itself is one recognized by the IRS. Otherwise, your well-intended car donation may turn into a big problem at tax time, when you attempt to take an unwarranted deduction!
You can also find more info on Melwood Car Donation and Used Car Donation. 1cardonationservices.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Car Donation.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wade_Robins
8 Responses to “Car Donation”
By mag burton on Jul 15, 2008 | Reply
hello;
My name is Mag Burton and I am a housing counselor for The Caring Place, a domestic violence shelter for women and children. We are in desperate need of transportation I am writing to you in hopes to find out how or what I need to do to get a automobile donation.
By felicia long on Aug 26, 2008 | Reply
hello
my name felicia long and a single mother of two kids and i was wanting to know how can i go about finding someone or a dealer ship to donate a car to me. i became disable last year and have no way of getting back and forth to the doctors office in galvestion at the utmb clinic .if you have any question you can e-mail. thank you felicia long
By frank m kelly jr. on Aug 29, 2008 | Reply
my family and i saw on the news about families that are in need of a car. could you please help us find a place in Boston MA that do this sort of thig… please call us with info at 617-427-5314 thank you very much..
By carol carr on Aug 29, 2008 | Reply
i am a single parent going through a divorce and i am in need of a vehicle to transport my son he is 15 years old and just went into remission . we r also looking to move but really need a vehicle to get him to his appts . it would be greatly appreciated if u or u know an organization that can help me with a vehicle sincerely carol carr
By jason hays on Sep 9, 2008 | Reply
go to your local morman church be open and honest
By TEXAS AUTO TITLE on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply
WE CAN HELP WITH GETTING TITLES FOR VEHICLES DONATED WITH NO TITLE. WE ARE A INSURANCE CO AND DO BONDS AT A VERY LOW DICOUNT
CALL JACKIE 214 309-3737
By LaTonya Studdard on Oct 10, 2008 | Reply
Me and my finance’ Anthony do in home child care, we had to file a bankrutcy and starting over again from $0.00. We love working with kids and believe if you don’t give up things will change, if you know of any place that is willing to help us by donating a car, furniture,food, supplies, computers etc. and know it takes a village to raise a kid.
May God Bless You.
(502)587-1448/ 876-9087
Sincerely,
LaTonya & Anthony
Studdard Matthews
By Pam Johnson on Nov 18, 2008 | Reply
I am a disabled widow who is raising a grandson. My husband died last year after a 3 year battle with cancer. He was only 51. I have no vehicle so we can go to doctor appts., pick up life sustaining meds, go to the grocery store or any where needed to go. I have no family able to help but I do have 2 vehicles that don’t run and need many dollars put into repairs.
Can you please help? Send me the contact info so I can get a reliable used van or car donated to me?
Thank you.
Respectfully,
Pam Johnson
Ohio