Updated November 11, 2026 · Cars for Veterans
Looking for the best organization to donate a car to? The right one depends on your goals. Use this checklist to compare any car donation program, including ours.
Search the organization's name in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Only donations to qualified organizations can be tax deductible. Some car donation programs are run by for-profit companies on behalf of a charity, so ask which charity actually receives the donation.
Ask what portion of the vehicle's sale proceeds goes to the charity after towing, auction and processing costs. Reputable programs will explain this. The FTC recommends asking this question before you donate.
Will it be sold at auction, used by the charity, or given to a family in need? This affects both the impact and your possible tax deduction.
Sign the title only in the right places, keep a copy, and get a pickup receipt. If the vehicle sells for more than $500, you should receive Form 1098-C. Never leave the buyer or charity name blank on the title.
Be careful with pressure to decide quickly, vague answers about where money goes, or promises of a specific tax refund. No one can guarantee your deduction before the car is sold.
Check sources like the BBB Wise Giving Alliance or Charity Navigator, and your state's charity regulator, for information about the organization.
Gross proceeds is what your vehicle sells for. Net proceeds is what's left after costs like towing, auction fees, title work and the processor's fee. The charity's programs are funded from what remains.
Example (for illustration only): a car sells at auction for $1,200. If towing and auction fees are $250 and a processor keeps $350, net proceeds to the charity are $600, or 50% of the sale. Another program might deliver a different share, so it's worth asking.
When comparing programs, ask for the share as a percentage of the sale price, not a flat promise. Be cautious if a program won't tell you. Remember that your tax deduction is usually based on the gross sale price shown on Form 1098-C, not the net amount the charity receives.
Call us at (888) 579-5544 and ask any of these questions. We'll explain how pickup, sale and net proceeds work for your vehicle.
Verifying a charity
The best one is a qualified charity whose mission you support and that clearly explains how much of the proceeds reach that mission.
Look it up in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, ask which charity receives the donation, and check independent reviews.
Yes. The IRS can confirm whether an organization is qualified to receive tax-deductible donations at (877) 829-5500. Have the charity's exact legal name ready.
Many states require charities that ask for donations to register with a state regulator, usually the attorney general or secretary of state. State charity offices are listed at nasconet.org.
Ask for the charity's legal name and check that name in the IRS search before you sign anything. The company collecting the vehicle is often a processor, not the charity itself.
Fees and costs
Many charities use processors. Ask what share of the sale goes to the charity so you can compare.
Most programs, including ours, tow the vehicle at no cost to you. Ask what costs, such as towing, auction fees and title work, come off the sale before the charity receives its share.
Not always. Costs are paid out of the sale first, so ask what share of the sale price reaches the charity's programs.
You should not be billed for donating a car. Ask the program to confirm in writing that pickup is free and that you owe nothing if the vehicle does not sell.
Tax receipts
A written acknowledgment from the charity. For a claimed value of at least $250 but not more than $500, it must show the charity's name, a description of the vehicle, and whether you received anything in return.
The IRS says you must get the written acknowledgment within 30 days of the vehicle's sale, or within 30 days of the donation if an exception applies.
Generally no. If the charity sells the vehicle and your deduction is more than $500, it is usually limited to the gross proceeds from that sale.
Disclosure: This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Vehicle acceptance depends on condition and location. After operating costs such as towing, processing, title transfer and administration, a portion of net vehicle proceeds benefits veteran programs.