When you make the commitment to donate your car to charity, in addition to getting a tax deduction, you are also helping people or animals in your community that are in need. That is a great thing to do, so nice work!
If you are unsure about anything related to your ability to get a tax deduction when you donate your car to charity, then see the Donor's Guide to Car Donation
Now, after doing a really good thing, the last thing that you need is to have a problem later on, and even worse, to get in to trouble because of your generosity. When you donate your car to charity, it should be just that - a good experience for all involved.
So what could go wrong, you might ask? Although most charities and the car donation partners that they work with are honest and strive to do the right thing, there are a few bad apples that could put you and your car donation into a bad position. Here's the Car Donation Tip:
TIP - TAKE PLENTY OF PHOTOS OF YOUR CAR BEFORE YOU DONATE IT!
Why? There are two main reasons for doing this. First of all, if there is any question later on about the condition of your car when you actually did donate your car to charity, then these photos could help prove the Fair Market Value which is what your tax deduction is based on. For more information about how to determine this, read our section How to Determine Fair Market Value . Take photos of your car showing front, back and each side, along with several interior shots. Also take a photo of your odometer to show the mileage when you made the car donation. You should probably also take a photo showing your car's registration sticker and make sure your license plates are visible. You should show any obvious damage, but there is no reason not to take photos that present your car as having a higher value by showing a photo if you had new tires, or expensive stereo, or anything else that would highlight the value.
The second reason for taking these photos before you donate your car to charity is to protect yourself if the car is involved in an accident after you make the car donation. These photos can help prove that the car was in good shape when you turned it over for donation. Without any proof, someone else could even claim that you were partially liable even though you no longer had ownership of your vehicle.
If your state uses Titles that must be signed over when you sell or you transfer your car, then take a photo of the Title after you sign and date it. Again, this helps to establish when you made the car donation. Anything occurring after that should not be your concern. This advice is not meant to be legal advice, as you would want to consult with an attorney for legal questions, but it is good common sense tactics to help protect yourself. If you are going to donate your car to charity, then protect yourself and do a good deed for the ones in need that you are helping!
#CarDonation
If you are unsure about anything related to your ability to get a tax deduction when you donate your car to charity, then see the Donor's Guide to Car Donation
Now, after doing a really good thing, the last thing that you need is to have a problem later on, and even worse, to get in to trouble because of your generosity. When you donate your car to charity, it should be just that - a good experience for all involved.
So what could go wrong, you might ask? Although most charities and the car donation partners that they work with are honest and strive to do the right thing, there are a few bad apples that could put you and your car donation into a bad position. Here's the Car Donation Tip:
TIP - TAKE PLENTY OF PHOTOS OF YOUR CAR BEFORE YOU DONATE IT!
Why? There are two main reasons for doing this. First of all, if there is any question later on about the condition of your car when you actually did donate your car to charity, then these photos could help prove the Fair Market Value which is what your tax deduction is based on. For more information about how to determine this, read our section How to Determine Fair Market Value . Take photos of your car showing front, back and each side, along with several interior shots. Also take a photo of your odometer to show the mileage when you made the car donation. You should probably also take a photo showing your car's registration sticker and make sure your license plates are visible. You should show any obvious damage, but there is no reason not to take photos that present your car as having a higher value by showing a photo if you had new tires, or expensive stereo, or anything else that would highlight the value.
The second reason for taking these photos before you donate your car to charity is to protect yourself if the car is involved in an accident after you make the car donation. These photos can help prove that the car was in good shape when you turned it over for donation. Without any proof, someone else could even claim that you were partially liable even though you no longer had ownership of your vehicle.
If your state uses Titles that must be signed over when you sell or you transfer your car, then take a photo of the Title after you sign and date it. Again, this helps to establish when you made the car donation. Anything occurring after that should not be your concern. This advice is not meant to be legal advice, as you would want to consult with an attorney for legal questions, but it is good common sense tactics to help protect yourself. If you are going to donate your car to charity, then protect yourself and do a good deed for the ones in need that you are helping!
#CarDonation
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