alextclam

my previous car is damaged but repairable but i don't want to spend money to fix it and then find a buyer. i've decided to donate it and write it off as a tax deductible. i've heard of places that take damaged cars and they even come to the location of your car with a tow truck to pick it up. does anyone have any info? i'd like to take care of this asap so i can surrender my plates to DMV and cancel the insurance. thanks.

army mp

I have donated several vehicles in the new york city area. You call them up, you set a time, and they come and get your vehicle with a flat bed or tow truck. You then get a follow up receipt in a few days on a form, which you can use as an itemized deduction on your income taxes.
Just make sure you remove your plates, take stickers off the front windshield, salvage anything you may want to keep or sell, and get a receipt from the tow truck driver.
Inform your insurance company as well right away.

wallaceoh

Volunteers of America is who I used with my wife's first car. They were excellent. They come and pick up the car wherever you are and send you a certificate stating that you made the donation. They also copy the appropriate page out of Kelly Blue Book and allow you to decide what you deduct on your taxes. Check out the link below and you'll find it right off the main page. Enjoy.

http://www.voa.org/

TL-Rocket

Did your insurance company total the car? Will you take some kind of substantial loss?

Please clarify!!
TL-Rocket

nick04tl

i used purple heart twice and they came with a tow truck and towed out two cars i donated. they were very easy to deal with.

alextclam

no they don't even know about it. it happened on the highway, someone cut me off and i lost control and banged up the suspension. i didn't even file a police report cause that other driver just took off. being there wasn't a second party involved the cops said i can file it any time. so i didn't bother cause i didn't have collision coverage.

so when i get the receipt for the donation do they specify the value of the car on it? if it's damaged do i still get full value?

JohnDoe2

You will need an estimate of the cars value so you can deduct the donation with out getting audited. You can get the Blue Book Value, subtract the estimated cost of the repair, and use that on the IRS form. Having the two figures on paper should protect you (printouts from your browser should be enough)

I donated one to the Disabled Veterens of America.