Frequently Asked Questions

We accept most cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, fleet vehicles, trailers, boats, RVs, and motorcycles. Whether it is running or not, in great condition or needing work, your vehicle can help veterans. We even accept vehicles with outstanding loans or lease obligations—just let us know.

The process is simple: (1) Call us or fill out our online form, (2) We schedule a free pickup at your convenience, usually within 24-48 hours, (3) You receive your tax receipt immediately, (4) Your vehicle is sold, with proceeds benefiting Patriotic Hearts's veteran programs. The entire process typically takes just a few days.

Your donation directly supports Patriotic Hearts's active initiatives, including the "HirePatriots" program (solving veteran unemployment nationwide), the "Veteran Entrepreneur Success Program", "Military Marriage Enrichment Retreats", and the "Military Families Aid" program (direct financial assistance for vital bills). Every vehicle turned in protects veterans from financial and marital distress.

Donate Car For Veterans connects vehicle donors with Patriotic Hearts's vehicle donation program. We make the donation process easy and transparent for donors, while Patriotic Hearts manages the vehicles and deploys funds to help veterans. We work together as partners to maximize support for America's veterans.

Yes, absolutely! Towing is completely free for you. We dispatch a professional, insured towing company to pick up your vehicle at no charge. There are no hidden fees or surprise costs at any point in the donation process. You donate—we handle everything else at no cost to you.

In most cases, we can schedule pickup within 24 to 48 hours of your donation. We work with your schedule to find a time that's convenient for you. If you need faster or slower pickup, just let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate.

No, you don't have to be home. You can authorize a family member, neighbor, or anyone else you trust to hand over the keys. Just make sure the keys are available and the vehicle is accessible. Our drivers will handle everything from there.

No problem! We accept vehicles in any condition—running or not, clean or dirty. We have professional towing equipment to safely transport non-running vehicles. Even if your car hasn't started in years, it still has value and can help veterans.

Yes! Patriotic Hearts is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under the Internal Revenue Code. Your donation is 100% tax-deductible. You can claim a deduction on Schedule A (itemized deductions) of your tax return.

Your tax deduction depends on your vehicle's sale price: If your vehicle sells for more than $500, you can deduct the actual sale price that ${siteConfig.charityName} receives. If it sells for $500 or less, you can claim the fair market value of the vehicle at the time of donation (up to $500). You'll receive a Form 1098-C documenting the sale price, which you use to complete your deduction.

You'll receive a written acknowledgment from Patriotic Hearts immediately upon donation (you can request it by email or mail). The official Form 1098-C, which documents the vehicle's sale price for tax purposes, will be mailed to you within 30 days of the vehicle being sold. Keep both documents for your tax records.

Yes, to claim a vehicle donation deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your Form 1040 tax return. You cannot claim it as a standard deduction. Additionally, donations valued over $500 require Form 1098-C to substantiate the deduction.

Form 1098-C is the IRS form that ${siteConfig.charityName} provides to document your vehicle donation. It shows the vehicle identification number (VIN), date of donation, the vehicle's condition, and most importantly, the gross proceeds from the sale of your vehicle. This form is essential for claiming your tax deduction on your tax return. The IRS requires it for donations valued over $500.

Usually, all we need is a clear title in your name. The title is the key document proving ownership. In some states, if you've lost your title, we can work with other proof of ownership (registration, insurance documents, etc.). Just give us a call and we'll guide you through what your specific state's DMV requires.

When you donate, you sign over the title to Patriotic Hearts (or we help you through the transfer process if required by your state). We then handle all title transfer paperwork with the DMV. You are no longer responsible for the vehicle after the title transfer is complete.

Don't worry—if you've lost your title, contact your state's DMV immediately. They can issue a replacement title (usually called a 'duplicate title' or 'certified copy'). The fee is typically $10-50 depending on your state. In some cases, we may be able to work with alternative proof of ownership—call us to discuss your specific situation.

Yes, please! Remove all your personal belongings, garage door openers, spare keys, insurance documents, or anything else you want to keep. Once the vehicle is picked up, retrieving personal items becomes difficult. Do a thorough check of the trunk, glove compartment, and under the seats.

Typically, the person whose name is on the title is the one who can legally donate the vehicle. However, there are exceptions: a spouse may be able to donate a jointly-titled vehicle, an executor can donate a vehicle from an estate, or a power of attorney holder may have rights. Call us to discuss your specific situation—we can guide you through it.

Yes, you can donate a vehicle with an outstanding loan. We'll work with your lender to pay off the loan using the vehicle's sale proceeds. The proceeds go first to pay the loan, then the remainder (if any) goes to ${siteConfig.charityName}. Even if the vehicle is worth less than the loan amount, we can sometimes work with the situation—call us to discuss.

Leased vehicles are typically the property of the leasing company, not you, so you cannot donate a lease. However, if you're at the end of your lease with a purchase option, you may be able to buy out the vehicle first and then donate it. Contact your leasing company and then call us to discuss your options.

Yes! We accept vehicle donations from all 50 states. Each state has different DMV requirements for title transfer, but we work with vehicles from everywhere. Regardless of your state's rules, we'll help you navigate the paperwork and ensure everything is handled correctly.

After pickup, your vehicle is transported to Patriotic Hearts's processing center. The vehicle is either repaired and sold to help raise funds for veteran programs, or if it's beyond economical repair, it's responsibly recycled for parts and scrap materials. In all cases, the proceeds benefit veterans.