ONE OF THE MOST FREQUENT QUESTIONS WE RECEIVE IS WHAT PAPERWORK IS REQUIRED WHEN YOU MAKE A VEHICLE DONATION
Vehicle title
In most cases all you need is the properly signed title. The requirements for whether or not your vehicle needs to have a title vary from State to State.
What if I have lost my title?
In most cases we can apply for a replacement title for your vehicle, we will just need the registered owner to sign some documents at the time of pickup.
What if the owner of the vehicle is deceased?
In most cases we can pick up the vehicle if you have the death certificate and with a signature from the executor of the estate.
Do you accept abandoned vehicles?
Unfortunately, we cannot accept abandoned vehicles unless we can get a signature on some paperwork from the last registered owner of the vehicle.
Release of Liability
In most states, the license plates should be removed and returned to the DMV once the towing agency arrives to pick up your car. The license plates can remain on the car in the following states: Alaska, California, Hawaii and Minnesota.
You must also fill out a Release of Liability form to the DMV in the states of Arizona, California, Illinois, Minnesota and Washington. In Illinois, Minnesota and Washington, this form is called a Report of Sale. In the states of Alaska and Hawaii, you need to complete and return to the DMV the Notice of Vehicle Sale which is attached to the bottom of your title.
On these forms, you should fill in our name and address. Call us at 855-378-4149 and we will help you with the paperwork.
For a tax deduction of $500 or less, the IRS will need:
- The name of the charity, information of your donated vehicle, and information if any goods or services were received and what their value was.
- This information is typically found on the receipt that will be sent to you.
For a tax deduction of more than $500 to less than $5000, the IRS will need:
- The name of the charity, information of your donated vehicle, and information if any goods or services were received and what their value was
- Form 1098-C Copy B –OR- a legal substitute
- if you are filing on-line – form 8453.
For a tax deduction of more than $5000, the IRS will need:
- IRS Form 8283 signed by an official of the charity
- Form 1098-C or a legal substitute like the receipt from the charity
You can claim your tax deduction in the year that you donated your car. Be sure to include all the needed documentation as shown above with your federal income tax return. To find out if your car donation qualifies for a state tax deduction, check with your state’s tax department.