Donate Old Car

Automobile donations, if handled correctly, are actually very beneficial to the one donating the automobile. If you’ve ever purchased an automobile, new or used, you know the haggling that goes on and the hassles you must deal with throughout the entire process. And if you have ever sold an automobile, you know there is even more haggling and more hassles. When you are trying to get someone to buy from you, you are not in the driver’s seat (no pun intended), the other person is. So instead of going through the headache of attempting to sell your vehicle, what not consider an automobile donation?

You may be wondering if the donors actually get to enjoy any perks from automobile donations. Most people want to know what, if anything, is in it for them. The answer in this case is yes, there is something in it for you! Let’s look at a few of these little perks you can gleefully enjoy while going through the automobile donation process:

• Avoid the headaches of trying to sell your automobile yourself, such as:
  • no price haggling with potential buyers
  • no expensive newspaper ads
  • no phone ringing off the hook with questions about your vehicle
  • no showing the automobile numerous times to numerous people
• Free pick up and removal of your automobile, whether it works or not
• No smog law hassles
• No confusing Department of Motor Vehicles paperwork
• You may qualify for an IRS tax deduction and put money back into your own pocket
• Help out the environment by recycling your car
• Help out many useful charities and nonprofits
• Assist in making a better life for the many out there that are in need

Consider this perk as well: If you have a heaping pile of scrap you call a car somewhere on your property, this alone is reason enough to consider automobile donation. This is your chance to get that eyesore, that pile of junk, that pain in your rear, removed for free and removed for good.

Out of all of these excellent reasons to participate in automobile donation, what’s the one that most people focus on? What’s the one that most people enjoy? If you guessed the tax deduction reason, you’re one smart cookie. You have guessed correctly.

You’ll want to do some research and educate yourself properly before proceeding with an automobile donation. As of 2004 if your automobile sells in excess of $500 to a charitable organization, you are limited to the gross proceeds from the sale.
Please see http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=131660,00.html for more details. You can also find other details on the IRS website, such as simple steps for taxpayers regarding deductions on automobile donations. IRS Publication 4303, titled “A Donor’s Guide to Vehicle Donations” is a definite must see. It can be accessed here in PDF form: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4303.pdf

So now that you are armed with the information you need, what do you do? Get all of your ducks in a row, then proceed with your automobile donation and help someone out who is in need. Don’t forget how you’ll help yourself out as well.