Has anyone ever donated a car?

"sellphones2493" (sellphones2493)
03/22/2015 at 17:29 • Filed to: None

How does the process work?
Do you get money or just a tax credit?

I follow a company that sells donated cars on eBay. Occasionally they get something interesting, but mostly just get complete pieces of $hit.

Here's there nicest thing of the week:

2007 Mercedes CLK-350 w/ 58K.

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DISCUSSION (14)

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > sellphones2493
03/22/2015 at 17:33

I donated my old Tercel. You just get a tax writeoff. I think it's limited to like $500 or something now, but I could be wront.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > sellphones2493
03/22/2015 at 17:39

I donated my Volvo 850. The charity is going to sell it, and then my family will get a tax credit for whatever it's sold for. Probably $1,500 to $2,000

Btw, Have you seen my old Elantra at the auction yet?

Agrajag > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
03/22/2015 at 17:41

but I could be wront.

Intentional or not, I just about choked on the chicken nuggets I'm eating.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
03/22/2015 at 17:47

Ahh, that's what changed with it! I knew something changed a few years ago, but I didn't remember what it was. You used to be able to just write in whatever you wanted.

Steve in Manhattan > sellphones2493
03/22/2015 at 17:48

The Car Guys were always urging you to donate your car to your local NPR station, so there's that. But yes, you get a tax writeoff - you should look up the rules as to limitations and carryover - whether you have to use the deduction in just one tax year or can spread it out over multiple years.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
03/22/2015 at 17:48

My 850 hasn't been repaired yet by the charity, but once they repair it, and put it on their used car lot, we get the amount for the tax credit.

dr861 > sellphones2493
03/22/2015 at 17:51

Definitely just a tax credit. Actually, we donated my 78 thunderbird that I bought for $3000, and wound up getting $4000 in tax credits! So we made a profit!! Probably depends on the state in terms of the amount you get refunded.

RedPir8Roberts > sellphones2493
03/22/2015 at 18:00

I donated a car that was in need of a few repairs but was in good shape and probably had a lot of life left in it if repaired. As others have said, it's a tax writeoff; I think the if it's over a certain amount ($500 or something like that), than you need some proof from the charity as to how much it was sold for. I liked to think it got put back on the road, but many if not most of the cars just go to places that probably part them out or junk them, especially if it's more than a minimal amount of effort.

fishtankwog > sellphones2493
03/22/2015 at 22:21

It's a great way to get some piece of S**T out of your life forever legally. I donated a SAAB 9000 that had over $2500 is bills trying to get the alarms and locks sorted out so it would run reliably. Gone. $500 Tax Credit . Good Riddance.

JasonStern911 > sellphones2493
03/22/2015 at 22:52

Just a tax credit. Careful with it. Some people get audited and screwed because the tax credit could be only worth what they ultimately sell it for, so make sure to get some documentation for the amount you plan on claiming in order to ensure you are safe should you be audited.

wafflesnfalafel > sellphones2493
03/22/2015 at 23:13

Donated my beater Nissan pickup several years ago to the American Heart Association. They had a 3rd party contract auction/tow operation pick it up. It was very easy. You get the tax deduction as a charitable donation once the car is sold just like any other monetary donation.

sellphones2493 > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
03/22/2015 at 23:53

Just looked today, actually. I check every three days or so. There is currently only 1 Elantra and it's a 2011 with 29K in Florida.

They come in spurts...maybe next week or next month.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > sellphones2493
03/22/2015 at 23:53

Thanks for looking. I've been googling the vin number every so often, but with no results.

orcim > JasonStern911
03/23/2015 at 04:58

This - some outfits will give you a receipt for some value they compute, too. I got when when picked up my donated my Jetta back when.