A complete guide to donating a car to charity: choosing a nonprofit, paperwork, pickup, and claiming your deduction correctly.
Free pickup nationwide — cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and boats, running or not.
Call 888-579-5544Only donations to organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status are deductible. Before you sign anything, confirm the nonprofit's status using the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at irs.gov. Ask who actually receives the proceeds and what percentage of net proceeds funds programs after towing, title, and administrative costs.
Cars for Veterans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and proceeds after operating costs support veteran programs. We state that plainly rather than implying every dollar reaches a program — no vehicle charity can honestly claim that.
Any vehicle that is more trouble than it is worth is a good candidate: the second car nobody drives, an inherited sedan, a work truck you replaced, a boat on a trailer that has not launched in three summers. Condition does not disqualify you. Non-running vehicles still carry scrap and parts value.
Cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and boats are all accepted, running or not.
Locate the title, a photo ID, and both sets of keys if you have them. Sign only the seller line. If two names appear on the title joined by 'and,' both signatures are required. If joined by 'or,' one is usually enough.
Remove personal belongings, toll transponders, garage remotes, and anything with your address on it before pickup.
Call 888-579-5544 and give the vehicle location, whether it starts, and whether the tow truck can reach it. Vehicles in garages, behind gates, or on soft ground are still towable but the operator needs to know in advance so the right truck arrives.
There is never a charge for towing, and you are never asked for a credit card at any point in a legitimate donation.
You must itemize on Schedule A to benefit. Keep the pickup receipt, the written acknowledgment, Form 1098-C if issued, and a photo record of the vehicle's odometer and condition. Deduct the gross sale price for vehicles sold above $500, or fair market value up to $500 otherwise.
Retain records for at least three years after filing; seven is safer for larger claims.
Ready to donate and support veterans?
Call 888-579-5544 NowDisclosure: Cars for Veterans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. After operating costs (towing, processing, title transfer, and administration), a portion of the net proceeds from each donated vehicle benefits veteran programs. This article is general information, not tax advice.