| So you have made the decision to donate | | | | Of course if your car doesn't operate |
| your old car to charity. Once donated, | | | | the charity will send a tow truck to the |
| your car can have several things happen | | | | location and remove the vehicle. Most of |
| to it. The charity that you donate it to | | | | the time the charity will send a |
| will decide how to process the donation | | | | registered tow truck company over to the |
| based on the general condition of the | | | | location to haul the car away. In other |
| car and operating order. Each charity | | | | instances the charity itself will have |
| will have different procedures they use | | | | their own towing service. In either case |
| to get the most value from your donated | | | | you may need to provide the driver with |
| vehicle. You can check with the charity | | | | the car title before they haul it away. |
| you are considering to determine what | | | | This will also limit you from any |
| they plan to do with your donation. | | | | liability since you are no longer the |
| Despite the condition of your donation | | | | registered owner. Discuss this with the |
| you will have a bit of planning to do | | | | charity when you arrange for the pick |
| before donating your car. First, you are | | | | up. |
| responsible for determining the fair | | | | After your car is hauled away a number |
| market value of your donation. In 2005, | | | | of things can happen depending on the |
| in the USA, the law changed so now it is | | | | condition of the vehicle. If the vehicle |
| up to the vehicle owner to determine | | | | is in good shape the charity will have a |
| what it is worth. The owner must also | | | | mechanic inspect the donation and give |
| have written documentation for the | | | | it a pass if it meets safety standards. |
| appraisal to justify the value when | | | | Any vehicle that passes inspection will |
| asking for a tax receipt from the | | | | either be sold at auction with the |
| charity. | | | | proceeds being used to support their |
| If you are interested in claiming the | | | | organization. It may also be donated to |
| car donation on your taxes you will need | | | | a family in need that the charity |
| to know if the donation is valued at | | | | supports. If it fails the inspection the |
| more than $500 or less. You will need to | | | | mechanic will provide details of what |
| obtain additional information from the | | | | need fixing. The charity will decide if |
| charity if the value of the car is more | | | | is worth fixing the vehicle. |
| than $500. You must determine if the | | | | Those vehicles that are not road worthy |
| vehicle qualifies as a tax deductible | | | | or cost too much to repair will be |
| donation. Most vehicles legal for public | | | | striped for any valuable parts and the |
| roads qualify to be tax exempt when | | | | remainder will be send to the scrape |
| donated. Also determine if the charity | | | | yard. The parts of the vehicle will be |
| you are donating to has tax exempt | | | | separated and recycled. The steel from |
| status. Most educational and religious | | | | the frame and body panels will be sold |
| organizations will be tax exempt. | | | | off as scrap iron. The charity receives |
| Calling the charity and asking is often | | | | the proceeds from the recycling facility |
| the best way to determine this. | | | | less the fee for processing the |
| Now that you have all the pre pick up | | | | donation. |
| paper work complete you are able to | | | | If you are donating a car that has |
| arrange for your donation to be picked | | | | sentimental value and you don't want it |
| up. Depending where you live this can be | | | | to end up as scrap you can talk with the |
| handled in a few ways. If the charity is | | | | charity in advance. The vehicle will |
| near your home and your car operates you | | | | either need to be in good working order |
| can drive it to the local charity and | | | | before the charity gets the donation or |
| save them the cost of having it removed | | | | be cost effective for them to fix it. |
| by a towing company. | | | | Donating a car is simple and goes a long |
| Again, if the car you donated runs the | | | | way to helping charities in need. |
| charity may send a driver to the vehicle | | | | Knowing the steps involved to get rid of |
| location and drive it away. This also | | | | your old junker can help make the |
| saves them the cost of having it towed. | | | | process go smoothly. |