Car Donation FAQ

Below you will find the most frequently asked questions about car donations.

If you don't find an answer here, please call one of our trained, friendly car donation specialists seven days a week:

To make a vehicle donation 800-304-8983

Questions about your vehicle donation? 800-558-8083

Questions About Your Vehicle

What are the benefits of donating my car to a non-profit?

• Benefit your preferred charity
• Help or give back to people with breast cancer
• Turn that unwanted car into an IRS tax deduction.
• Free up space in your garage or drive-way.
• No need to pay hefty car repair bills.
• Avoid the costs associated with selling your car
• No need to pay for advertising to try and sell your vehicle
• Avoid privacy and possible security risk of having people come to your home
• No more costs of vehicle registration and insurance.

What type of donation do you accept?

We are not able to accept household items.

What condition does my vehicle have to be in to donate it?

We will take your vehicle whether it is running or not. Exceptions include fire damaged or stripped vehicles.

Do I need a smog certificate or safety inspection in order to donate my car?

We will take care of smog and inspections. At pick up you will be given a receipt that releases you from future liability for you donated vehicle.

What paperwork do I need to donate my car?

We would like the title/pink slip to the vehicle, but it is possible to donate without them. Just call one of our friendly title specialists toll-free at 800-304-8983. On arrival the tow truck driver who is professionally licensed, bonded and insured, will help you with all paperwork.

What if I don't have my title/pink slip?

It is possible to donate without the title/pink slip. Please call one of our friendly vehicle donation specialists toll-free at 800-304-8983 and they will help you with your title questions.

Do I have any liability issues to worry about and who transfers title?

When your vehicle is picked up by our certified towing professional, you will be given a receipt that releases you from future liability for you donated vehicle. We will handle all transfer documents according to your local state Department of Vehicle Services guidelines.

How do you determine the value of the donation for my car?

Per IRS Publication 526, your vehicle donation to an IRS approved 501(c)(3) charity falls into one of these categories:

For vehicles sold for under $500, you can claim the fair market value up to $500.00 without any additional paperwork besides the receipt we provide at the time of the pickup.

If the gross proceeds for the sale of your donated vehicle exceeds $500.00, your deduction will be limited to the actual sale price.

Once your vehicle is sold, you will be notified and you will be able to download all IRS required paperwork.

What is the entire process for making a vehicle donation?

• Once you have called us or filled out our online form, you will be contacted by one of our donation specialists who will take note of your information and answer any questions you may have.
• A processing specialist will arrange to have your vehicle picked at your convenience, at the vehicles location by a licensed, bonded and insured towing professional.
• Vehicle pick up is always free and you will incur no costs for making you donation
  If you need to change the pick up time, or have issues with the pick up please call 800-558-8083
• At pick up, you will be given a receipt which is a release of liability and confirmation that your vehicle has been picked up.
• Processing your picked up vehicle usually takes around 4 to 6 weeks but in some cases may take longer due to particular state title requirements or title laws.
• Once your donation has sold you will be notified by email of the value of your donation. (If you do not have email, you will be notified by mail)
• You will be give a secure login account and you will be able to download all the documents you need to take a tax deductible donation.

Questions About The Donation Process

Can you explain the procedure for picking up my donated car?

• Once you have called us or filled out our online form, you will be contacted by one of our donation specialists who will take note of your information and answer any questions you may have.
• A processing specialist will arrange to have your vehicle picked at your convenience, at the vehicles location by a professionally licensed, bonded and insured towing company.
• Vehicle pick up is always free and you will incur no costs for making you donation
  If you need to change the pick up time, or have issues with the pick up please call 800-558-8083
• At pick up, you will be given a receipt which is a release of liability and confirmation that your vehicle has been picked up.

How do I contact you to schedule a pick-up?

Fill out our online donation form, or call one of our friendly vehicle donation specialists toll-free at 800-304-8983 seven days a week and we will guide you through the donation process.

What areas do you service?

We take donations Nationwide and we will come to your home or office at a time convenient to you. Pick up is always Free and in fact there are no costs to you at all. At this time we do not take donations in Minnesota or Oregon.

How long will it take for you to pick up my car?

Once you have contacted us, you will be contacted by one of our representatives who will arrange to have your vehicle towed away at your convenience by our professionally licensed, bonded and insured drivers.

Will there be any cost to me?

There are absolutely no costs for you. Just fill out the online car donation form, or call one of our friendly vehicle donation specialists toll-free at 800-304-8983 seven days a week and they will help with your concerns.

What paperwork do I need to donate my car?

You will need to provide proof of ownership of the vehicle you wish to donate. We would like the title/pink slip but it is possible to donate without them. Just call one of our friendly donation specialists toll-free at 800-304-8983.

What if I don't have my title/pink slip?

It is possible to donate without the title/pink slip. Please call one of our friendly vehicle donation specialists toll-free at 800-304-8983 and they will help you with your title questions.

Which non-profit benefits from my vehicle donation?

CarsForBreastCancer.Org has the goal to help in the fight against breast cancer. We include a list of IRS approved non-profit charities that you can choose from. To date, almost $20 million has gone to non-profits via our program. If you have a charity not listed that you want your generous donation to go to, just let us know.

What happens after my car is picked up?

• Processing your vehicle usually takes around 4 to 6 weeks but in some cases may take longer due to particular state title requirements or title laws.
• Once your donation has sold you will be notified by email of the value of your donation. (If you do not have email, you will be notified by mail)
• You will be give a secure login account and you will be able to download all the documents you need to take a tax deductible donation.

Questions About Tax Deductions

Everyone's tax situation is different, so consult with your tax professional to determine how you may benefit.

Will I get a tax receipt for my donation?

Yes, our driver will issue a receipt at the time of pick-up. This is not your final tax receipt unless the sale of your vehicle does not exceed $500. This initial acknowledgement will indicate your name as well as the year, make, model and condition of the car you are donating.

Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes, your car, boat or auto donation goes to benefit an IRS registered non-profit breast cancer charity of your choice. Because everyone's tax situation is different, please consult with your tax professional to determine how you may benefit.

Who will benefit from my car donation?

CarsForBreastCancer.Org has the goal to help in the fight against breast cancer. We include a list of IRS approved non-profit charities that you can choose to benefit from your generous donation. To date, almost $20 million has gone to non-profits via our program. If you have a charity not listed that you want your generous donation to go to, just let us know.

How do I figure out the IRS requirements for my charitable donation?

The IRS provides a Donor's Guide to Car Donations which sets forth the manner in which the IRS requires you to determine the value of your donated property. Here are some useful links:

• Publication 526, Charitable Contributions (PDF)
• Publication 561, Determining The Value of Donated Property (PDF)
• Publication 4303, A Donor's Guide to Car Donations (PDF)
• Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions (PDF)
• Instructions for Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions (PDF)

When will I know the tax deductible value of my vehicle donation?

• Once your vehicle has been picked up, processing usually takes around 4 to 6 weeks. In some cases may take longer due to particular state title requirements or title laws.
• You will be sent an email notification once your vehicle is sold including the sale value of your donation. You will be able to download all paperwork need to submit to the IRS.

To make a vehicle donation call 800-304-8983

Questions about your vehicle donation call 800-558-8083