Donation of used car is an easy way of disposing them without a lot of hustle. Critics in the United States claim that by donating a car is another way of tax shelter.
When an individual decides to donate used cars, it is easy to process ones lawful IRS deduction in tax, it is important to report to the required authorities when intending to donate in order not to cause confusion in the motor vehicle registration department.
When a person donate used cars is an easy way of avoiding running up and down advertising and making phone calls trying to sell a car.
Some of the advantages of donating used cars is that it helps find missing children, support decisions that make the community a better place for growing children and even avoid children going missing even in the first place.
There are those organizations known as donation program where cars, trucks, boats and trailers may be donated.
When a person decides to pledge a donation, the matter is taken up by vehicle donation processing center where all the paper work and documentations are handled.
Payments for all the administering of the program are handled by the organization a person is dealing with. When one decides to donate used cars, an individual tax is reduced by about $654 million per year in the US only.
Because most people donate vehicles with an intention to have an upper hand on tax deductions, the donor needs to go through some requirements on the post
jueves, 5 de agosto de 2010
How To Donate Used Cars
Donate A Car To Charity And Help A Person In Need
There are people all over the country that have multiple vehicles, and more often than not, at least one of them is an older model or does not run properly, in some cases at all. Many people choose to park these extra vehicles on the side of their house or in their backyards, so that they are out of the way. In some extreme cases, there are people who may have four or five cars parked in the backyard because it can be difficult to sell them to someone when they do not work. However, some people are interested in buying old vehicles whether they work or not because they plan to strip them of their functioning parts to use in a different car that they maybe rebuilding. Instead of trying to sell that old clunker, people should look into donating it to a charity. When someone decides to donate a Car to charity, he or she is able to use it as a tax deduction for that year. Therefore, instead of having that old car take up space on your property you can just donate it and actually get something for it. Almost every car donation company offers a free towing service, so if the car does not run right or does not even start they will come to the house and pick it up. All of the cars that are donated go to help different families and organizations in need of transportation. The companies that take these cars make the necessary repairs to them so that they are once again operational; then they are given to someone else. The program to donate used cars is one of the best ways that a person can recycle; they are helping to reduce the wasted space and giving back to the community. There are many people out there, whose lives have immensely changed for the better, all because of the generosity of another person.
Help a Sick Child by Donating Your Car
Though you may have seen dozens of ads that advertise how you can get a tax deduction with the donation of your car, if you’re looking for a way to make a difference in someone’s life, donate your car to charitydispatch.com
Though charitydispatch.com represents many charities that accept car donations, Feel Better Kids, Inc. is a nationwide charity that offers a service to sick children and their families that is so desperately needed.
Everyone is concerned with the high costs of healthcare and health insurance. Just think about how terrifying it would be to be faced with the disability or terminal illness of your child when you have little or even no insurance.
Feel Better Kids, Inc. was established to aid children ages seventeen and younger who are disabled or terminally ill. The children assisted by this organization are from moderate income families with little or no health insurance. Going beyond
miércoles, 4 de agosto de 2010
Donate a Car to Charity
You may have heard of all sorts of ways to donate to charities, but not many people have thought of donating a car. When you donate a car to a charity, you are doing something great for the charity that you choose to donate to. It has also come to many people’s attention how donating to a charity can be used as a tax deduction.
Now, you may wonder how one goes about donating a car to charity. You can do so through companies like www.charitydispatch.com. Companies like Charity Dispatch do not donate your actual car to charity, rather they sell the car and the proceeds go to the charity of your choice. It is made simple, so you have no worries about the hassles it can cause when done yourself. If you aren’t sure which charity you would like to donate to, www.charitydispatch.com can help you figure it out. This option is perfect for those who are looking to get rid of a car or are having a hard time selling it. Instead of giving it to a scrap yard for a couple bucks, donate it to a great cause. Your car donation raises money for charities to support their services.
The process of donating the car is made simple with charitydispatch.com; all you have to do is give them a call anytime. They are open 24-7, so you will get in contact with a live agent every time. You won’t even have to worry about getting the car to the grounds because they will pick it up for you, no matter what condition it is in. So if you have a junk car that isn’t working, donate it to charity!
Most charity donation companies require you to bring the items you are donating, such as clothes, toys and furniture, which causes many people to turn to more convenient ways of getting rid of the stuff
Donate Your Car to a Worthy Charity That Will Do Some Good With the Old Rust Bucket
Charities will take almost anything to help the cause from money, clothes and even a car donation. California as the leading car ownership state in the United States has a lot to give.Consider the number of older vehicles traveling on the freeways of California. The Automobile industry has thrived in the excess of the Los Angeles drivers need for better and newer cars than what they had the year before. But the value of trade ins when trying to get a better deal on a brand new car often isn’t worth the time it took to drive it on to the lot. It is common knowledge that once a new car or even a used car, has been driven off the car lot and hits the street, its retail value for resale drops considerably. For the car owner who wishes to extract some monetary worth from their trusted mechanical steed the choices of either a trade in or resale can look fairly grim. The dealer isn’t going to give a real market value for the vehicle because that would take more profit out of his pocket. Trying to sell the car yourself isn’t the easiest thing in the world either. First you have to make sure the auto is in proper working condition which can mean pouring more money into something that you want to get money from
Car Donation - Get The Facts First Before You Donate A Car
Look around the yard, do you have an old car you want to or should get rid of? Is the car just taking up precious space and slowly deteriorating from lack of maintenance and proper care because you don’t need it? Then for you a charitable car donation may be worth more than using the car as a trade-in or in any other way. If you decide to donate a car and the car donation is accepted, the charity arranges for and takes care of any towing expenses and provides you with the necessary documents for your tax return.
Donating a car eliminates the expense of any advertising, the loss of privacy and possible security risk from potential buyers. No need to pay for annual vehicle registration and/or emissions testing or insurance, and no need for any repairs to keep your car in running condition while you wait for a buyer. It’s easy, just fill out the forms the charity gives you and have them ready for the driver when he comes to pick up the car. A large chunk of your car donation money when it’s received by the charity after they sell the vehicle, should not taken out for administrative fees or investments. Make sure to find out how much of your donation money goes for these fees.
Your car, truck, RV, boat, aircraft or other vehicle is usually marketed by the charity through various means including their own car lots and middlemen and sold to a buyer who is in need of a good used vehicle. If you’re thinking about donating your automobile to charity, be sure to check out thoroughly the charity or car donation program that handles the donation. Certain commercial firms and trade organizations publish guides known as ‘blue books,’ that state the average resale prices based on the model and year of your vehicle. You can find these blue books at your library in the reference section or online.
If your auto, truck, boat, motorcycle, RV or other vehicle is no longer of use to you, it can still go a long way toward helping support a reputable charity of your choice. Best of all, by not selling the car yourself, you don’t have to worry or wonder about total strangers calling you and getting information about where you live, or coming to your house to see the car or other vehicle.
Charities don’t need to send you a form for cars that eventually sell for less than $500, but you’ll still be able to deduct up to $500 on your tax return.
If it’s necessary to go through a car donation program middleman, which you can find online, find out what percentage of your donation will go to charity and shop around for the best deal. There are a quite a few of them online.
As for your benefits, you as the donor of the car benefits from the donation by receiving a tax receipt for the highest possible value of the vehicle.
Make sure you have easy access to the title of the vehicle. If you have an unused vehicle just sitting around, you never know when a storm might cause damage to your vehicle or if it might get vandalized or if it’s on the street get involved in an accident. Some charities that run their own program, instead of hiring a car donation program middleman, are discriminating about which vehicles they will accept, repair and materially improve. They sell most of their vehicles at retail prices. One thing to note, your vehicle must have all four of its tires inflated to be accepted.
Important, one of the exceptions to the new IRS tax regulations allows donors to still deduct the fair market value of their vehicle, provided the charity materially improves the vehicle. Charities usually provide you with a release of liability when they take your vehicle away. After the car sells, they send you a tax-deduction form that explains how much they received for your car.
Charities look at car donations from both the point of view of the donor of the car and of themselves as the charity receiving it. You can get a car donation tax deduction up to the maximum limits allowed by the IRS. You may also donate your car online to individual charities or through the car donation programs, some of which contract with charities.
It used to be able that you could deduct the fair market value of the vehicle at the time of the deduction – but not anymore. In wear and tear, minor repairs and breakdowns, an average vehicle owner might spend more than $3000 per year so a good reason not to keep the extra car around. In the end the donor is responsible to an extent to ascertain the value of their car donation after discussing with the charity.
A charity car donation is becoming more common as people discover the nice car donation tax deduction that is available. Choosing the best charity for your car donation can be overwhelming and you want to make sure your choice is the best and right choice for you. Why not donate your car, truck, boat, RV, motorcycle or even aircraft today and enjoy a nice car donation tax deduction on your annual income tax return.
martes, 3 de agosto de 2010
Choose a Right Charity to Donate Your Car
Donating a car can help people who are poor while get a substantial tax deduction. More and more non-profit organizations in the US are relying on the revenue from car donations. Since the law about car donations is revised in the year of 2004, many donators begin to use it to reduce their taxes. Until now the system has been used by taxpayers for years, focusing on how much deduction they can get on their tax return.
When you choose a charity to donate your own car, you need not only to know how much tax you can save, but also know how the organization processes your car. Many charities run donation programs. Some have their own car lots which sell the donated cars but many have their donations processed through auto auction companies. Many processing companies also collect and sell donated cars and distribute the money to a charity the donor indicates. The processing company typically takes a percentage of the sale value of the car, but these programs allow charities without their own facilities or staff dedicated to automotive donation fund raising to benefit from vehicle donation programs. These companies handle all the details of your donation and most will even arrange for your car to be picked up or towed. Most car donation companies offer you a choice of charities to make your donation to.
Not every car can be received as donation by charity organizations; the quality of a used car is the important factor to determine it. Before you donate your old car, assess the value of your car. Look up your car’s fair market value. Be realistic about your car’s condition. Photograph both the interior and exterior of the automobile. If you have made recent improvements to your car, you must save the receipts for things like tires and other major repairs. Keep all documentation of your car donation. You will need to submit the documents when you file your taxes. Charities may use your car within their organization. They may also choose to improve the car or give the car to a needy person.
There is no problem with making your donation to any religious organization. Some charities are not in the automobile donation business, and they only receive a flat fee, like $50, for your donation. If this is an important consideration in choosing a worthwhile charity, you should pay attention to it.
Tax Advantages For Donating Your Car
When you have a car that you want to get rid of, it is often easier to donate it than sell it. While donation may not sound appealing, you have to consider the tax benefits of donating a car. However, in order to reap the full benefits, you must donate it in the proper way.First, tax rules have changed regarding vehicle donations. At one time you could write off the fair market value of the car. People were taking advantage of this process, which led to reform. The reform was necessary because people were deducting a great deal more than their vehicle was worth. The government was losing a lot of money due to this fraudulent behavior. Now, if you claim the value of the car to be more than $500, you have to claim the amount the charity you donated it to sold it for.That means you could end up with a tiny tax donation. Often, charities are not able to make a great deal of money off the cars that are donated to them. You could have a car with a fair market value of $2000, and the charity could sell it for $500. That would be devastating, as it would not help you very much on your taxes.Luckily, there is a way around this. Instead of donating it to a charity that will auction it off, donate it to a charity that will use it. For example, there is a charity called Charity Cars. Charity Cars uses the donated vehicles for their business, which means you can deduct the market value of the car. The reason you are able to do this is simple. When a charity is actually going to use your vehicle, it falls under a different category when you file your taxes. When a charity auctions off your car, it is seen as a cash donation more so than anything else. When the charity actually uses your car, you are able to write off the actual car.When you deduct the market value of the car, it can become cash in your pocket at tax time. You will get to put that deduction down, and then you will get a refund. The refund will be based on the fair market value of the car, along with your tax bracket.This is a great way to make extra money at tax time, as well as do something good for others. There are many organizations around that offer this and you want to go with one that uses the cars for their business so you can get the maximum benefits.This is an easy alternative to selling, and you will get some money at tax time. Do your research and use the charity that will benefit you the most. Then, you simply need to call them up and tell them you would like to donate your car. In most cases, they will pick it up. You will get some paperwork to help at tax time, and then you will get your deduction.
Car Donation Tax Deduction - 3 Best Tips To Help You Donate Your Car
If you’re thinking about donating your car or truck to a local or national charity, here are a few tips that you should know. There are a few problems you can avoid if you do a little research first. Ultimately your goal may be to gain a good car donation tax deduction. The change in the tax laws make it easier now to get a good deduction.
1. How the car donation charity uses your donated car. Decide whether it’s important to you or not if you know how the charity is going to use your car. If so, you may want to give them a call. They may sell it on a used car lot they maintain or farm it out to a charity car donation program or sell it on their own car lot. They may use the car to transport people or goods for their charitable work. Or they may give the car to a needy individual.
2. How much money will the charity actually get from you car donation. If the charity plans to sell the car it will probably not get the ‘blue book’ value of the car. There also will be expenses directly related to the sale – newspaper classified ads or their car lot costs, both which will reduce the negotiated selling price
If they farm it out to a car donation charity program, they’ve contracted with, to sell then they will get a lot less for it. And of course if they use it themselves or give it away then their won’t be a monetary gain.
3. Before you donate your car to any charity you want to make sure it’s a legitimate charity. If it’s a large national organization then there will be less of a problem. If it’s a local charity then you may have to do some checking. You want to make sure they’re eligible to receive contributions that are tax deductible, so you’ll receive the car donation tax deduction. So ask them if they have the “letter of determination” from the IRS.
Many charities accept cars, truck, and other vehicles and are not tied into providing you with a tax deduction. Make sure to find this out in advance.
These are just a few of the tips you’ll need to know if you plan to donate your car to a charity. Make sure to do a little research first to make sure you understand just how much you may get for your car donation tax deduction if they sell it, give it away or keep it.
Are You the Type of Person Who Will Donate a Car to Charity?
Though the average person who was liable to donate a car to charitable organizations once included just about everyone in the late 1990s and early ‘aughts, changes in IRS regulations and rules governing deductibles since 2005 has made for a subtle demographic shift towards the upper-middle class with regards to just who will donate a car to a charitable or non-profit organization (NPO).
This is true for several different reasons. For starters, those who are self-employed are far more likely to take itemized deductions since such workers have far more upward mobility than a given employee. They also tend to make a lot more from such ventures. Self employment also means that you pay your own contributions as well as those normally picked up by an employer. This double taxation leaves many of the self-employed on a constant lookout for deduction possibilities. When you donate a car to charity you can make up several thousand dollars at a time in deductions – sometimes enough to bump you into a lower bracket.
Of course, not everyone who wants to donate a car is interested in the deduction. There will always be people who just want their old junker cars to go away and many of the ads imploring you to donate a car rely upon the offer of free towing (and sometimes a hotel or cruise voucher) to help get low-value cars from far less off individuals than the PhDs who are donating perfectly good cars.
However, in yet another installment of how it pays to have a few extra coins to rub together, those who are able to afford to give a working car find that it is likely to be used for transport rather than sold at wholesale auction. This other type of use occurs when you carefully choose a charity you trust, donate a car to it and find out 3 years later that it’s been used for various official functions and as transport for in-house needs that furthers the mission of the charity.
As such, those who already have some extra money to throw around are more likely to get the higher deductible that they’re more likely to be able to capitalize upon in the first place. That means the demographics of someone looking to donate a car have somewhat suddenly moved back to where they were before the advertising push of the 1990s. Though many middle class people might donate a car that doesn’t run very well, they won’t enjoy the higher level of benefits that a better quality donation typically garners.
But other than wealth, the other demographics of those who participate in charitable organizations when they donate a car include many of those who grew up using, or recently used, the services of such an organization. This gives one a good idea as to how non-monetary benefits work in the real world. The chance to give back to an organization that has helped one get back on their own two feet is an invaluable feeling of pride and accomplishment that the IRS cannot put a value upon.
So, despite recent setbacks in deduction amount for the typical donation from a mid-level income individual or family, this hasn’t stopped a segment of the population from donating scrap cars that they simply want hauled away as junk. This is especially true in the case of vehicles that have no chance to have a useful resale value whether conducting the transaction yourself or letting a car donation service take care of it.
The main difference between the classes of donation that have sprung up since the 2005 ruling means that if you choose to donate a car, it may not be very lucrative for the charity in question unless it’s running well and worth their while to fix up for use (rather than selling on the wholesale market), even if they don’t use a third-party donation agent.
lunes, 2 de agosto de 2010
New Rules for Donating your Car to Charity
In prior years, if you wanted to donate your car or other vehicle to a charity, it was easy. All it took was to select the charity, give them a call and they would pick it up and the ownership documentation. This part is still easy and many charities advertise how easy this part is for you.
If you want to claim a tax deduction for that car donation however, the tax rules have changed a little. The reason for the changes were because people were over-estimating the value of vehicles then taking the higher amount off on their income taxes.
First, to even qualify for this tax deduction, you need to be itemizing deductions on your income tax. This effectively eliminates everyone using a 1040 short form, or 1040EZ or those who don’t itemize. Further charitable deduction cannot be greater than 50% of your total income. I don’t quite understand why this matters to the government but it’s in the rules. Further, the amount you can deduct for the contribution depends on what the charity does with vehicle donations. Check the IRS resource publication 4303 at www.irs.gov for more information and details. Now is a good time to state that I am not a tax attorney, accountant or make my living working with the tax code. For more specific information on donating you car to charity or other related questions, I suggest contacting a local tax professional.
A 500 dollar deduction is the threshold for increased paperwork requirements. If however your charitable gift is worth over the 500 dollar limit, you need acknowledgement documentation from the charity. This is typically given to you when they pick up the vehicle. This document must have the following information for you to claim any amount over the 500 dollar basic deduction.
There are a few other details that should be included but this is the basic outline required.
The IRS also limits the value of the deduction to what the charity actually received from selling the vehicle. Generally however, you can use fair market value if certain rules are followed and you obtain a statement made by the charity regarding their plans for the vehicle. You may also be required to obtain written acknowledgement from the charity within 30 days from the date of the vehicles sale or 30 days from the date of donation.
So the value of the deduction is based on what the charity actually sold the vehicle for on the open market. Other rules apply if they decide to keep it but generally most charities of any size take their donated cars and simply sell them on the market. This means that if you donate your car to charity and it has a resale value of 5,000 dollars, you simply cannot legally take a 5,000 dollar deduction unless the charity actually sells the car for that amount, or is subject to the other rules.
If the charity sells your car for 400 dollars, even though it was worth 5,000, your legal deduction is only 400 dollars.
Finally, to make things even more complicated, the value of the vehicle cannot be more than the fair market value. The IRS publication noted above has specific explanations about how to determine value. I personally have simply sold the car and made a cash donation to he charity of my choice. Yes, it takes a little longer but I didn’t need to count on anyone else to provide the necessary documentation and there was no question about the value of the donation or deduction.
Tips For Donating Your Car to Charity
Donating your used vehicle to charity can be a very generous act. Worthwhile charities benefit greatly from donated vehicles either by using them directly or by selling the vehicle and using the profit for their organization. But if you’ve never donated a vehicle before, than where do you start? Here are some tips to make your donation an easy transaction.
Find the Right Charity
If you aren’t sure which charity to donate your car to then do a little research. However avoid the for-profit intermediary organizations that advertise to handle your car donation. These places tend to keep the majority of the money themselves. Some keep as much as 50 to 90 percent or even more for their pockets. Find a charitable organization that handles the donations themselves so they can keep 100 percent of the profits.
Make sure the charity is eligible to receive tax deductible contributions. Make sure they are a 501(c)(3) organization. Other organizations may claim to be a non-profit but may actually be a 501(c)(4) organization and donations to these types are generally not considered tax deductible. Ask for a copy of the organization’s IRS letter of determination which verifies its tax exempt status.
Value Your Car Correctly
The IRS has cracked down on car donations with the passage of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. Under this you can no longer claim fair market value for your donated car worth more than $500 but instead you must claim the amount that the charity sells your vehicle for. There are exceptions to this rule and fair market value determined by either Kelley Blue Book or NADA guide can be used when:
What to Consider When Making a Used Car Donation
Making a used car donation can help many people. If someone died or moved and they don’t want their car anymore, donating it is a great way to give back to the community while disposing of the vehicle.
Many used car donation services will pick up the used car for free and take it to the charity. Check your local telephone directory for such services and also search the internet. These services are not in many small towns yet but most large cities can coordinate the deal for you.
It is important to check with the IRS before making a used car donation. There are a few forms that will need to be filled out. The web site can also give an estimate as to the car’s worth.
The number will probably be different from its blue book value, so be sure to check the web site out before giving the car away. In some states, a tax break will only be given if the car is donated to a nationally recognized charity.
A complete list is available on the web site. Filling out the forms incorrectly could result in not getting the tax break. Once the paperwork has been filled out, get a receipt from the charity the car was donated to. This is the proof that will be necessary when claiming a charitable donation on a tax return. The IRS web site will provide all the information to donate the car and get a tax break.
Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the forms, procedures and tax breaks. Donating a car can be a real joy to both the former owner and the charity.
Giving to a charity is a great way to help people in the community who are down on their luck. Donating items such as cars can greatly contribute to their well-being because the more vehicles a charity has, the faster they can get to people who need help. There are many charities that offer car services to the store or to the doctor.
Making a used car donation will not only yield a tax credit, it will make someone else’s life a little easier. Knowing that a person has made a difference is a good feeling.
You should always help your fellow man. It will come back to you many times over! I myself have experienced it and can not say enough about the way it makes me feel when I help those in need.
domingo, 1 de agosto de 2010
Car Donating Is A Good Way To Get Rid Of Your Used Car
Today donating a car is becoming more and more popular. Many of people, who want to get rid of his old car and get a brand new one, choose donate their old cars to charity organizations. In the United States, they can get tax benefit. As far as I know, if the value of a donated car is less than $500, the value of the tax deduction is part of the donor’s own estimate of his used car’s value. So some people think of this as a tax shelter, they find donating a car is a good way to help other people and themselves.
You should choose right way to give your car to a charity, being sure you can get the best tax deduction from it. Understand that the Internal Revenue Service revised the law in 2004 regarding how much you can deduct on your tax return. Until then, it was up to the taxpayer to decide how much his contribution was worth; and too often, the figure that was supplied exceeded to car’s value. Now, the charity must certify the selling price of the car, or the maximum amount of the deduction is $500.
Take some time to choose a qualified charity. There many charities run programs. For the maximum tax benefit, you must find a non-profit organization where the car donation will be used “in direct furtherance of the organization’s charitable purpose.” Examples would be either by the car being used in the business or the car being donated to a needy client. You also can contact a local or national charity directly to find out if they accept car donations and they will guide you through their donation process. If you’ve haven’t decided on a charity, the American Institute of Philanthropy has a list of charitable organizations and contact information for most charities, including the disabled or terminally ill.
Notice that many websites of car donation are scams, even though e-mail applications for a donated car are convenient and can save postage and time. Always verify the existence of a car donation program before submitting your personal information
Make Best Out of Waste: Donate Junk Car and Reap Benefits
Twenty years ago, the concept of accepting cars as a medium for raising capital was agreed upon by the charities. This idea went up booming so much so that many organizations involved with charity started doing it. Different organizations use the money for different purposes and therefore, it becomes necessary to be careful in selecting an organization for the purpose of charity. A very useful site for the same use is myjunkcardonation.com. It is very rewarding activity to donate a car for various reasons. The most important reason is that you can easily get rid of the junk car and at the same time can also do charity.
Donating a car is not only fruitful to you but also to the needy people and our website is specifically involved in helping the blind children. We being blessed with all the senses working properly cannot even think of a day without one of them not working then it is so hard to imagine the plight of the disabled kids! Myjunkcardonation.com helps these misfortunate children live a comfortable life and it would be our privilege if we can give a helping hand to this organization by simply doing the donation of a useless car.
The organization ensures to tow your junk car from anywhere in the whole of U.S. all you are supposed to do is to make a phone call and give details about the car and its location. The trained staff would come in only a few hours to collect the vehicle. Thus, it saves your valuable time.
Besides saving time and doing charity, myjunkcardonation.com helps in getting a deduction from tax. This acts as a much better deal for you than with any other junk yard dealers as they do not give you enough returns while selling your cars to them.
Donate a useless car and thereby help the blind children. This organization gives its charity to
Donating A Car - What IRS Want You To Know
When donating your car to your favorite charity, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) wants you to be aware of certain pitfalls. After December 31, 2004, taxpayers planning their charitable giving, donors should understand the way that the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 will alter the rules for the contribution of used motor vehicles, boats and planes.
When the claimed value of the donated motor vehicle exceeds $500 and the item is sold by the charitable organization, the taxpayer is limited to the gross proceeds from the sale. Under the rules in effect for 2004, taxpayers will be able to deduct the fair market value of the contributed property.
Here is what IRS officials recommend to people donating their cars:
Check the qualification of the Charity. Taxpayers should make sure that they contribute their car to an eligible organization, else their donation will not be tax deductible. They can use the IRS Website to check that an organization is qualified by searching Publication 78. Publication 78 contains a list of most organizations that are qualified to receive deductible contributions. Publication 78 is also available in many public libraries. If in doubt, you can call IRS Tax Exempt/Government Entities Customer Service at 1-877-829-5500.
You should take into the many factors into consideration to establish the fair market value of the car. Many used car buying guides contain step-by-step instructions so that readers can make adjustments to the value of a car for accessories, mileage and other indicators of its general condition. Publications like Publication 526, Charitable Deductions, and Publication 561 provided such details.
Taxpayers cannot take a deduction for car donations if they do not itemize deductions on their personal tax return. The decision to itemize is determined by whether their total itemized deductions are greater than the standard deduction.
Taxpayers must document the automobile donation and its fair market value. IRS Publication 526 details requirements for the types of receipts taxpayers must obtain and the forms they must file.
Some used car donation programs mistaken that donors can deduct the highest value listed in a used-car buyer’s guide regardless of the donated vehicle condition. The IRS only allows a deduction for the fair market value of the car. Fair market value takes into account many factors, including the vehicle’s condition.
Contact state charity and IRS officials when in doubt. You can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or for TTY/TDD help, call 1-800-829-4059. IRS forms and publications can be found at IRS website www.irs.gov. A list of state charity official offices can also be found online.
sábado, 31 de julio de 2010
Car Donation: Vital Facts Worth Considering Before You Donate Your Car
Anybody who has a used old car in his or her parking lot can donate such car to charity. The incidence of risking your privacy in trying to sell your very old car is completely eliminated through car donation because you are going to get some monetary value through tax deduction and the receiving charitable organization comes to your doorstep to tow this gift from you. Apart from cars, you can also donate your old trucks, vans, boat, even airplanes and mobile homes. These are gladly accepted by the charity organizations that take these car donations and convert them to cash through auction sales. Are You Going To Be Involved In Actual Car Sale?The Answer is absolute no. All you will do is get the appropriate IRS form filled and have a written handover note signed by the recipient charity firm. Doing this will help you to pursue your tax deduction claims from the Internal Revenue Service. You do not need to even know where the car you donate will be sold. The charity organization you donated your car to will give you details of the sale within a period of 30 days so that you will file the necessary tax deduction rights you are entitled to. Types of Car Donation ProgramsIt is important to note that these days, there are several firms that are saddled with the issue of receiving and auctioning car donations for various charitable organizations for a fee. The charity firms need to sign up with these car donation programs who handle all the issue relating to any car that donor wants to give them. The slight disadvantage in this kind of car donation program is that the firm or middleman who handles the car donation process for the charity organization will definitely take some percentage from the proceeds of the car auction as their service fees. This can be avoided by asking the recipient charity firm if they can directly take your car donation or asking what percentage will accrue to them after the middle men must have deducted their service fees. On the contrary, the entire issue of having some
How Can Online Resources Help You Donate A Car?
Selling a car would require you to repair and maintain the car by bearing huge expenses to earn only small benefits. On the other hand you can donate a car to get involved in charity and save yourself from expensive repairs. Tax deduction advantages act as bonus when you consider the old vehicle for donation. Internet is one good medium that can help you make this donation in a time saving manner. Apart from this, there are many more advantages of carrying out car donation process online. The following discussion will make you familiar with the process of donating a car online.
Selecting the Recipient
Sitting across the computer, you can easily find a good charitable organization or a car donation centre online. In fact, you might come across a full array of organizations that support causes for poor and homeless people, small children and individuals suffering from deadly diseases. Within a limited time period, you can prepare the list of some top organizations that can help you in donating your vehicle.
Online Form Filling
If you select a car donation centre, you can consider it a small process to fill the forms online and ask for the services from the car donation centre. These centers act as bridge between the car donors and the recipient charities. Here are some advantages offered by these car donation centers:
What do I have to do to donate a car?
To donate a car is probably the easiest way for you to get rid of your car for various reasons. People who do not have time to sell their car and those who could not get their car’s worth also prefer automobile donation.
You surely deserve to be congratulated, if you have the noble intention of donating your car to a charity. But the process to donate a car to a charity is not as easy as you might think. It can be a tedious process.
There are many things you need to consider before you can actually do anything to donate a car. Here are some essential things you need to do, if you have decided to donate:
Find a Charity That Accepts Car Donations – It is important to choose a charity that accepts cars without charging a large removal fee.
Do a little research, and don’t simply give your automobile away to any charity. Remember you are making a charitable donation, so find a high-performing charity. Make sure it is a registered 501(c)(3) charities that does the kind of work you like, in the region you wish to target, and does that work well.
Find Out the fair market value of your car – If your car is worth $5,000 or more have it appraised by a certified professional. You can also use IRS publications. You can try either “Charitable Deductions” or “Determining the Value of Donated Property”. The Kelley Blue Book also comes in handy.
Transfer the Car Correctly – Follow state regulations in getting a tax receipt with the charity’s name and federal tax ID number. It must also include the donor’s name, date of donation, as well as the year, and make and model of the donated car. You also need to notify your insurance company that you no longer own the car.
Complete The Paperwork – Keep all the completed transaction papers and have them ready for tax time. It is really important to keep these documents for your own good. You need to remember that if you do not have the complete document for the automobile donation, you could be held responsible for any parking tickets that are subsequently incurred. Worst, you will also be liable, if the car you donated is used in a crime.
Find the right time to donate a car – It is true that the biggest winner in the car donation game is usually the donor, and not the charity recipient. But we can all emerge victorious if you take your time. Thus you need to find a high-performing and a reputable charity that will make the most of your donation. Thus, you need not be impulsive in order for you to have a real good automobile donation.
You need to have all these in mind if you are planning to donate your vehicle. These are just a few of the essentials things you need to consider if you have finally decided to donate a car.
Are you ready to donate a car, then go to http://www.songsoflove.org . We help sick kids. Our foundation provides personalized songs for kids facing tough medical conditions. Do you want to help us with your car donation? If so, go to donate a car, and we will show you how to process your car.
viernes, 30 de julio de 2010
A Used Car Donation Gift: Its Enormous Benefits
Giving is always better than receiving and it has proved to be a door opener for so many across the world. A little gift you give to someone may be the saving grace for that person and reward to you is always in many folds. Giving makes the world a better place because wealth is not equally dispersed to different individuals. The haves are bound to give to the less privileged.
Can You Give and Receive at the Same Time?
The answer is absolute yes but it is not in every situation. There is one unique giving opportunity many of us have and it is not farther than our various driveways. Some people prefer to just give and walk away without expecting anything in return but some may want to be uniquely appreciated for their gifts. Some people also do not know that they can gain tax deduction just by giving a car donation to the needy. This is one aspect of car donation that many has not been able to tap into in recent times.
Who can receive your used car Donation?
You can donate your car to a charity home, or elderly people’s home or a grocery store that caters for the less privileged in the society. The use to which they put your used car donation may include but not limited to ferrying old people who can no longer drive to meet their medical appointments, delivering food items to such persons e.t.c These are some relieves that car you leave abandoned in your driveway can offer to people who are not as fortunate as you are in the society. Your used car donation may be a solution to some people’s mobility problem and it will not just add these values to these beneficiaries but will also help you to gain some financial benefits in form of tax reduction.
How Kelly’s Blue Book Can Attract You Some Funds through Used Car Donation
The benefit of your used car donation is mutual in the sense that it benefits not just those charity concerns that receive the car from you but you gain some tax write-off after itemizing your tax deductions and tax bracket permits. This is even more pronounced if the charity used your used car donation for its works. Kelly’s Blue Book can be used to determine the fair market value of the assignments your used car donation is used for. But if the car you donated to the charity is sold off, the entire amount of the sales proceeds can be deducted. This amount has to be less that the Blue Book value before the deduction can take place.
Determine If Your Used Car Donation Qualify For a Deduction
It is vital to determine if your used car donation qualifies for a deduction by checking to see if the Charity firm is recognized as a non-governmental organization according to section 501 of IRS Tax Code. You will get useful information from the officials of IRS. Their website is a good first port of call and if you do not get the desired answer, you can seek for alternation routes.
Filling of IRS Form 8283 is mandatory if your car’s value is between $500 and$5000. You will get the details at the IRS website but remember that it is much better to donate your used car to the charity and get tax reduction than leaving the car in your driveway to continue to rot away.
Donating Your Used Car? Important Points To Note
Car donation has come to stay and is really popular these days. For more reasons than one, car owners will readily donate their old used car to charitable organizations instead of going through the hassles of car sale or auctions especially if the car is relatively old. Another attractive factor in used car donation is that the donor gets some tax reduction after his donated care must have been auctioned.Comparing Used Car Donation vs. Trying To Sale Same Car When you donate your used car to charitable organizations, you have the peace of mind that you have positively contributed to the causes of the less privileged in the society. You also get some tax reduction when the value of the car you donated is calculated. You would be troubled with the stress of finding a potential buyer for your used car which may or may not be too old to attract any reasonable monetary value. The issue of some unforeseen buyer complications is completely erased. These simple points can save you a lot of time when dealing with your used old car and once you had made up you mind to donate it to charity, there are some tips you need to know.Important Points to Know While Donating Your Used Car to Charity The first thing you must do is to familiarize yourself with how Internal Revenue Service recognizes car donation and the tax deductions that attains to donors based on other relevant laws. The next step is for you to find charitable organization that works in the direction you are passionate about. You may also want to donate to charities in your locality. You can find the comprehensive charity listing online or simple look through your locality to see which charity you will donate a car. Make sure that proper record of the donation is taken so that you can be able to claim your tax deductions from the Internal Revenue Services
Detailed Benefits Of Donating A Car In United States
It is not always best to sale off your car to the junk yard because what you will realize in most cases will not be worth the effort or time. Donating your used car to charitable organizations is a very smart and appealing decision. Apart from the fact that the donation is stress free, you touch lives through the car gift and you also get some tax reduction too. As a matter of fact you will be more fulfilled as an individual when you know that the car you have donated will go along way to affecting positively the lives of the less privileged.
The Process of Car Donation
The simple process of car donation starts by the donor contacting the charity organization of his choice maybe through their website and fills the relevant car donation page on their site. Some questions such as date of production of the care, year, model, mileage e.t.c should be expected and then the donor will be asked the most convenient time for the receiver to pick up the car. The receiving charity firm then sends a towing van or driver
jueves, 29 de julio de 2010
Few Benefits Of Using Car Donation Charity Centers
Some people donate a car for the charities, whereas others do it for tax benefits. If you are selling your car for tax benefits, it is better to consult with a car donation charity center. The good thing is that there are several such centers over the internet. The availability of these car donation centers has made it extremely easy for people to donate their car and get maximum tax benefits.
There are several benefits of these online centers. The biggest benefit is that they allow you to donate your car from the comfort of your home. If you sell your car on your own, you have to place an advertisement or bear other expenses. This is not the case with online sites. These sites are available to help you in the most efficient way. The great thing about these online centers is that they pick your car for free. It means you don’t have to spend any money to taking your car for donation. This is a good option for those who think their car is not in a very good condition.
The ease of using these services is another reason why you should opt for these centers. As everything is done over the internet, the evaluation process is simple and quick. There are simple forms available at these sites. You have to fill them up to make those professionals ring your bell for your car. The good thing is that these forms don’t ask for financial information. Though you need to give your address and car related information, there is nothing really to worry about. Another important thing is that you are asked to mention your car’s condition at the time of filling out these forms. This is to get an idea about the value of your car. And, when you provide this info, it becomes easier for them to find a better client for your car.
This is another benefit of using these sites. If you sell your car on your own, you can not judge its total value. This is not the case with these car donation centers. They know the value of your car in the market and that’s why they cut the best deal. This is something that helps you become eligible for maximum tax benefit.
So, the fact of the matter is that there are several amazing benefits that are associated with car donation charity centers. The easy availability of these centers has made it possible for everyone to help them with tax deduction along with helping charitable organizations with their money. Just make sure you opt for the best charity center, as it is important to get the best value for your donation.
Where To Donate Your Car
If you have done any research into the area of used car donation programs then you will know that there are many charities that are able to receive your car as a donation. Many are eager to take your vehicle from you but you can’t decide which one is right charity to donate to. After all you only have one car to donate and you want it to make a difference. So how do you choose which charity is going to be the worthy recipient? There are a few different approaches you can take. You could: Pick a random charityThe dartboard approach may be as good as any, especially if you believe that all charities are equally deserving of the money and will all put it to good use. Then your only choice is whether you would prefer to select a national charity or one that is solely focused on the state or city you live in. If this strategy appeals then bring up a list of charities that accept car donations for the region you’re interested in and settle on the first name that jumps out at you.Select one you have an affinity withIf your Aunty Betty died from cancer then you may feel that donating your car to a cancer research foundation to enable them to continue the ongoing search for a cure is a meaningful outcome for your used car donation. Or perhaps you have had a health scare yourself and would like to think that if you did happen to develop the disease that all available resources were being devoted to a cure or remedial medicine. Or perhaps you have dabbled in drugs and know what a slippery slope that can be and so decide on a charity that runs drug rehabilitation programs.Choose the used car charity donation program with the simplest conditions If your vehicle is not running then that may limit the charities that you choose to donate your car to. You may want to check out their pickup service to see if it is going to be convenient to use the charity you’ve selected.You could pick the charity that will handle your car in a way you feel comfortable withMost charities will sell your car and use the proceeds for their organization’s programs but some will use the car to give to others that are unable to afford a motor vehicle. If you like the idea of your car being used by someone else that needs it to get to work then look for charities that handle car donations in this way.Unless you have a firm choice in mind then you are best to read up as much as you can about car donation in general, then focus on charities that accept car donations and come up with a shortlist of say 3-4 charities. Next get on the websites for each of the charities on your shortlist and narrow down the field to one based on their car donation program conditions, how you feel about the work that they are doing and your overall feelings about the organisation.
Donate A Car And See How Far It Can Go
People have been donating for hundreds of years; only it was not always thought of the same way that is now. Back in the day a donation would have been classified as hand-me-downs from older siblings to the younger ones or even from neighbor to neighbor. People would donate their unneeded belongings to someone that they knew because back then the last thing a person wanted to do was throw it away. Money was not easily obtained back then and everything was used to its fullest potential. Nowadays, people still partake in the ways of our past and we continue to give our unneeded things to those around us who have a need for them, but we have taken it a step farther. There are now different organizations that have been set up and donation stores, where people can take the items that they do not need any longer, but have nobody in mind to give it too. Nobody wants to waste something like a car donation when it is still in perfectly good condition, he or she would rather know that their money was well spent and think that somebody else is getting some good from it. There are so many different things that people are able to donate. The most common thing is clothing of all sizes; it is always in demand and often times the owner grows out of their clothes long before they wear them to pieces. Then there is of course furniture; things like cribs, couches, tables, and even the bathroom sink. Many people who take care of their belongings and it is always a nice thing to find their items for sale; they are hardly used. One of the newest additions to the market of lending a hand is the ability to donate a car. That is right, there is now a way to donate a car to charity so that a needy family or organization is able to have a form of transportation. Many of these companies will actually do all the work on the car that is needed to get it back up and running and then donate it to someone in need.
miércoles, 28 de julio de 2010
Taking Advantage of Local Used Car Dealers
You can’t actually take advantage of your local used car dealers but you can get a better deal from them than from an out of town dealer that you may never visit again. Local used car dealers are in business to sell cars and to make a living selling them. They have a reputation to maintain if they want to continue to sell cars to their neighbors like you. Local used car dealers are owned by men and woman too, that attend city council meetings. They participate in local charity functions. They donate to the boy scouts. They are your neighbor.An out of town used car dealer couldn’t care less where you live or work, other than the fact that you are employed so you can make the car payment. If you buy a used car from them they probably won’t be too concerned if it breaks down on the way home. You are less likely to return to an out of town used car dealer to get repairs done or buy new tires when needed.This is why you can take advantage of a local used car dealer. Buying local means you are helping keep your local businesses in business so you don’t have to go out of town to make your purchases. The local used car dealer knows this. Because he wants to maintain a good business presence he should be willing to give you a better deal on the car you buy from him. You certainly can remind him of this.Probably you both have kids that attend the same school or play on the same sports team. So you are already buddies with him or his wife. You may attend the same church. Again an advantage you have when shopping for a used car from him. He certainly doesn’t want to be embarrassed if you tell someone that the car he sold you was a lemon. Nope. He wants you to tell your friends what a good deal he gave you on that used car.Your local dealer wants you to return to his car lot to have your maintenance done on your new vehicle. He wants you to buy your new tires when you need them from him. He wants to continue to make money from you. And you don’t have to go out of your way to drive past his lot every day. And when you drive by, he wants you to be happy with your purchase.Do make sure you compare prices before you buy a new used car. If you are forearmed with this knowledge you are in a better bargaining position. Also make sure you know how much that out of town dealer will sell you a used car for. And don’t be afraid to let your local dealer know it. Even thought he is a neighbor you will probably still need to negotiate that final price down. Or at the very least, get some upgrades on the vehicle you buy!
Advantages Of A Used Car For Your Teen
Choosing the first car for your teenage driver can be a difficult decision. You want a car for them that is practical, safe, and something they will enjoy driving. Unfortunately, most teens want a brand new car that is expensive and in style. However, you should buy a car that is safe and practical for a first time driver. First time drivers are still processing that driving is a responsibility and a privilege. A lot of car accidents are caused by teens that are inexperienced. There are many advantages of buying a used car rather than a brand new one because of those reasons.One of the best advantages of buying used rather than new is there will be less worry from the parent about damage. New cars are very expensive and even more expensive to fix. Used cars cost less, yet run just as great as new, and the repairs are usually less expensive. If you buy an older used car that you plan on having your teen only drive through high school, you will be less likely to worry about any minor damages from backing up too quickly or not making the smoothest of turns. There are bound to be small nicks and dings from a new driver. You can always sell or donate the car and not lose a lot of money since the car was used and not brand new.Another great advantage of a used vehicle is the cost factor. Used cars have less depreciation as a newer car and cost considerably less. Insuring a teenage driver is also very expensive, and the new the car the higher the rates. Older cars are more affordable, and you have to calculate for insurance being more expensive at the start because of the age of the new driver. There is no reason for a 16 year old to be driving a $70,000 vehicle and pay hundreds of dollars every month in insurance. You can purchase a used one for much less money that is still safe and properly functioning.Older vehicles are usually a little bigger and safer. It is common for a new driver to get into a minor fender bender or back into something. Your teen will be safer in a bigger vehicle and will be likely to only damage the car and not themselves. Older cars still have the same safety features as new cars such as dual air bags. A lot of new cars are made with light, thin materials so they will go faster. Speed is not so great for a new driver as it is for the more experienced.Used cars are great because if anything was wrong with it, the previous driver would have gotten it fixed. New cars are unpredictable and can have a lot of repairs because it is the first time they are being driven. If your teen is paying for the maintenance of the vehicle, they will save money by owning a used one. Properly maintained used cars run just as smooth as a new car and cost half the price.
Tips for Buying Used Cars
There has been a drastic change in the economy in all countries including India. Under such circumstances there are many people who opt for used cars. These used cars and other vehicles like trucks have been of great demand in the market. There are many auto auctions organized to sell such used cars.Generally, we do a small research before we take any decision while buying any automobile from the market. In case we prefer used cars, then we need to know more about the vehicle including the history of the vehicle after the previous owner had bought it. This becomes necessary as we would be purchasing vehicle which has been already used before.The first step while buying used cars is to find out whether it had expensive hidden problems. You need to get a detailed vehicle history report from the previous owner. Ask for past service check reports. Check if there is any accident frame damage check done in the past service reports. We also need to check if the car had any previous owners. In case it had any, then find out the last donated owner.We need to check the safety facilities as well in the used cars. We should check the airbag deployment & odometer rollback, to see if they are in working condition or not. Checking the average annual mileage of the used cars is very important. The car’s batteries, adjustments and tyres should also be thoroughly reviewed. The emission state should be checked, though it may vary from time to time. The used car should meet the safety expectations. At the same time the used car should prove to be reliable. The used car should be well maintained. The interiors should also be checked while buying used cars. The seat belts should be intact. The seat covers should be in good condition.We also have to keep in mind the used car’s price while buying it. It often depends upon the dealer or the place where it is auctioned. It is always better to compare two or three places, compare the prices and check the vehicle thoroughly before we purchase it.
martes, 27 de julio de 2010
Car Donation: Donate a Car and Save on Taxes
Do you have a used car that you do not drive anymore? That old vehicle may be filling up and using up so much space in your garage. No matter how you assess it, you cannot think of any other good use you can have for the old car. Did you know that you can make them more useful? Why not consider car donation?
For quite some time, car donation has been a good and widely adopted practice. There have been numerous car owners who face the problem of disposing their old cars. Selling can be a good option but doing so may incur additional and costly charges in the form of taxes.
You do not want your old auto to fill the junk shops do you? Through auto donation, you are helping charities and institutions get on and raise further funding for the humanitarian initiatives.
There are still other reasons why owners of old cars would rather do car donation these days. The government is offering hefty and attractive tax breaks for every car donation.
While it is true that you would not generate any income or revenue from donating your car to a charitable institution, some people still are not aware that auto donation is rewarded by the government through the appealing tax incentives given to donors.
If you decide to take a car donation initiative, you surely would be able to save on taxes. As you know, every car donation has specific and appropriate procedures. The most usual is that you fill out forms and provide basic documentary information and details to the charitable institution, which would be your car donation’s beneficiary.
Those documents would not only facilitate voluntary surrender of ownership. Such documents also act as information source for the procedure of tax incentives to be provided to the donor.
Think about it. You are entering into a win-win situation when you decide to go to a car donation procedure. You are filling up a noble role of helping out other people in dire need, while at the same time you are helping yourself generate huge savings through the tax break package provided with the car donation transaction.
If you are planning to donate an old car, it is time you start the procedure by calling up different charitable institutions of your choice. There are numerous charities to choose from. You may choose by sticking to an advocacy, say assistance for cancer patients or funding aged care centers.
By communicating with such charities you would be instructed on the right an appropriate procedure on how to get on with your car donation.
What’s more? Car donation is now made more convenient. You may not need to drive the old car to the charity. Personnel would be sent by the institution to pick up or tow the car.
All you have to do is to wait for those people, surrender your key and accomplish the necessary documentary papers. After that, you are all set to voluntarily transfer the ownership of your old car to the chosen charity.
Donate My Car: Questions And Answer For Amateur Philanthropist
For your benefit we have collected a number of common questions and answers regarding car donations.
Question: I want to donate my car, but I’m afraid of incurring more taxes for doing so?
Answer: On the contrary, donors will automatically qualify for a tax reduction, the moment a car donation is officially completed. And the process is relatively easy. The only firm requirement is for the title or ownership of the vehicle to be present, for most States. In cases of lost title, the donor can apply for a replacement with the Motor Vehicle Department in your area. And there are cases that donations are allowed sans the title, as long as the certain forms are filled in.
The tax deduction for your car donation was made possible under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.
Question: I really want to donate my car, but will this be accepted?
Answer: Normally there is nothing that’s not accepted by car donation services. Usually there is ready for shipment to targeted beneficiary organizations boats (yes boats, any means of transportation), cars, trucks, vans, fleet vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, and even RV’s.
But to save all parties from trouble, a requirement usually is that your car donation should not incur additional cost other than the necessary. A car will be accepted even if it’s not running anymore, as long as it can be repaired.
Question: If I donate my car, how is the tax deduction amount determined?
The tax deduction will be based on the actual sale price of your car. Vehicles that sell for over $500 entitle you to a deduction equal to the sale price. For most cases, the minimum tax deduction for any car is $500. We can assist you in determining the market value of your car, if you say so.
It should also be clear that to qualify for the deduction, you must not receive in exchange for your car, any goods from us or from the nonprofit organization of your choice.
Question: I’m having few doubts, on what would happened if I finally donate my car, will it not be used for profit purposes?
Answer: Your car, or whatever vehicle, is usually sold at auction. But this is just for the purpose of transforming your favorite car into a more usable item. Some of our beneficiaries may not need a car, but cash for their non-profit work of service. They may be engaged in environmental works in which equipments, other than vehicles, are most needed. Transforming your car into cash will facilitate this need faster.
And even if you have a charity or nonprofit organization of your choice, most car donation services will facilitate the transfer of your car to them. In case that the auction of your car will yield greater value, and naturally be chosen, the charity of your choice will receive the greater part of the proceed. They will not even need to do anything because will process all needed documentation or the auction, and the delivery the proceed.
New Laws on Donating a Car
Donate-your-car, as the name suggests, is the custom of donating cars to a charity organization when you feel that you do not want to use the car or you want to buy a new one for yourself.
This practice is very popular in the United States because of tax benefits associated with donating a car. It used to be that the donor may himself estimate the value of the car on which the tax deduction will depend, and then deduct that amount out of taxes owed.
On the other hand, the charity organization might receive the same price or less than the estimated value while trying to sell the same car.
But in the name of charity a number of people are into duping acts. In spite of being a non-profit business category, the charity actually produces a profit.
Since this is done in the name of charity nothing comes into limelight unless a really big issue surfaces.
Even though it is called a donation, and is associated with charity, the reality is that the benefits are not going into the right hands. Instead the dealers and financers of cars are making money out of it. Charity organizations are rarely audited, if they are, then there is usually a gap of one and a half years between two successive audits. It is in this period that advantage can be taken of the situation.
The Internal Revenue Service has come out with a new set of laws to take care of this practice.
The key changes to the new laws are:
1. The charity organization to which you are donating your car has to be a qualified one. If it lacks the qualification criteria then you are not eligible for tax deductions. There is a list provided in
Taxes and Donating a Car
Wikipedia defines car donation or donate-your-car as thus – car donation refers to the practice of giving away no-longer-wanted automobiles to charity organizations.
In the United States, charitable donations provide a tax benefit; as such, this type of giving has become very popular. For values less than $5000, the value of the tax deduction comes from the donor’s own estimate of the car’s value, even if the charity receives much less money from actually selling the car (usually at auction).
Car donation category has been infested with masters of con craft over the time. Scams occur in this business category without even attracting any headlines. Here are some facts – car donation programs are supposed to be run by not-for-profit organizations. Reality – these are mostly run by for-profit firms. Charity organizations are supposed to benefit most from used car donations. Reality – majority of the sales proceeds are pocketed by used car dealers or fundraisers, and not the charity organization.
Charity organizations don’t come under any audit for a minimum period of 18 months. This helps scamsters spread their wings easily. Even the end of 18 months duration is not a guarantee of an audit.
New laws
In order to curb this widely followed malpractice, IRS has enacted new set of laws. Following are some salient features of these laws –
1. Organization qualification – ensure that the charity organization is qualified to receive the car donation. You will not be eligible for tax deductions if the car is donated to a non-qualified organization. You may check the list of such organizations on ‘Publication 78′ available online or with public libraries.
2. Fair market value deductions – you are eligible for the tax benefits on fair market value of the vehicle, and not the value arrived with the help of the guide. Fair market value can be arrived at with the help of many used-car guides available in the market. Publications 526 and 561 respectively “Charitable Deductions” and “Determining the Value of Donated Property” can be of great help.
3. Itemize your deductions – In order to take full advantage of tax deductions, you need to itemize your deductions on your tax returns. This will depend on the difference between your itemized and standard deductions.
4. Deduction documentation – you must meticulously maintain the documentation required for the purpose. There are many documents including forms, required to avail the benefits. You may refer to Publication 526 for details about the forms and receipts needed to avail the deductions.
New laws on car donation clearly specify the following – when a taxpayer donates a vehicle for which the claimed value is $500 or more, the precise deduction that can be claimed will depend on how the charity plans to use the vehicle. If the auto is sold by the nonprofit organization, then the taxpayer will be able to deduct only the amount of gross proceeds the organization got from the sale. And the donor will have to depend on the charity to let him know the donation amount by the individual tax-filing deadline. In other words, the freedom has been restricted. It is now the amount that the vehicle realizes from the sale (by the charity organization), that will be treated to be deductible, and NOT the one claimed by the car donor.
It is far better to be in touch with your finance portfolio advisor before deciding on car donation.
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lunes, 26 de julio de 2010
Why Donate Your Car To Charity?
If you have an old car in your garage (or backyard) and you don’t have a clue how to get rid of it, one way is to donate your car to a charity. You might think that your old car won’t matter at all and it’s a piece of junk, but your car can still be useful. You will be helping a lot of people, and at the same time gain something for yourself. Car donation is the best option to get rid of an unused car while giving you the chance to help yourself and others. Your charitable donation might mean a lot, without you even realizing it.
You can get started by finding a charitable institution online. It is best to search for them online because it is the easiest, fastest way to get the information you need. While online, you can speak to a representative and they will explain the steps and procedures and the law regarding tax deductions. If is important that you are aware of the tax deduction rules so that you’ll know what to expect regarding the benefits you’ll get from your donated car.
If you donate your car, you can claim a tax deduction of up to $500. If the charity sells your vehicle for more than $500, you will be notified with the exact amount of the sale, and can use this amount on your tax return. The market value will depend upon the kind of vehicle you donate. Not all values are equal. For example, late model cars and vans that have seen a lot of miles can be used, though they might need some costly repairs before they are ready to be put back on the road by the charity.
Donating your unused car to a charity is a great way for you to get a deduction on your taxes. Some of the organizations use the cars for their services and personal travel, while the others sell them directly to raise funds. You should also know that some programs aren’t run by charitable institutions, but rather salvage companies that use the name of the charity as a front, and in return they pay the charity a set amount for each of the vehicles donated.
To make sure that you are dealing with a trustworthy charity, you should ask what they are planning to do with your vehicle. If they plan to sell your car, will they use a broker or not? You should also ask if the charity is receiving a large amount of the selling price, so that you know how much of the money will go directly to the cause you are trying to support. Your best choice is a charity that is collecting a percentage of the sales price, rather than the per-car flat fee.
Plan to Donate your Car to Melwood?
Paying It Forward was a concept presented in a similar-named movie in which the actor, Haley Joel Osment, is a young boy who thought of a project for school that would require people to do a random act of kindness for someone else that this person could not do for themselves to help them at a desperate time without expecting anything in return.
We all are presented with an opportunity where we too can do a seemingly random kind act to help an organization dedicated to ensuring that people with developmental disabilities have every possible opportunity for advancement and success. Developmental disabilities come in many forms, and each of them are quite incapacitating. Any person suffering from a developmental disability is at a distinct disadvantage.
But Melwood believes that this shouldn’t be the case and Melwood believes that these people with direction can be contributing members of our society in a positive way. The mental and physical impairments associated with the limits of disease, though they can rarely be cured, are able to be dealt with in such a way so that people with disabilities realize they are stronger than the disease and are able to live life to the fullest.
To fund its programs, Melwood has created the Melwood car donation program in which all profit
Why Use Car Donation Services ?
Want to get rid of that old car? Donating it to charity is a fine choice. A charitable car donation doesn’t mean you’re giving something away for nothing. You could also benefit from such a choice, like receiving favorable tax deductions. If the charity sells the car, you receive its selling price as a tax write off. If it uses it, you get a tax write off equal to the fair market value of the car
Donating your car to charity is sure to bring rewards. Other than the tax deductions, the laws on karma will also apply. The good deeds you show will be rewarded surely.
But how do you find the right charity to receive your car? First, ask if your charity is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This makes you eligible for tax deductions.
Finding the right charity can be hard, especially in certain places where geography and unfamiliarity play a factor in the success or failure of your search. In such cases, contacting some car donation services is a good idea. From the list that these car donation services would provide, you could select the charity you think is most deserving of your car
Remember, making sure your charity is recognized by the IRS for you to receive your tax deductions. There are lots of
domingo, 25 de julio de 2010
Go Online Used Car Buyers
A specialist car website can help used car buyers looking for a used car through a buyer’s guide. For this one has to furnish all the essential information in detail related to all aspects used car buying – from getting the dream car to arranging for the finance to buy it.
The internet is the best tool to find a used car. The search engines will help you in searching from the data base of hundreds of cars. By entering the precise criteria you can narrow down the list of cars of your choice. It is possible to search by model, area, make, and price that you are willing to pay. Once you find the car of your liking you can find all the information in detail of the car from a specialist.
The specialist of used car buyers’ guide will provide those searching to buy used car the all the possible details of the car that is to be bought. The reviews and articles about the car help to know about it. Car reviews will overall give an idea of the car regarding how it works and any problems associated with that particular car. This is the right way to get to know everything about the car and can help in deciding if it’s good for you or not.
If you want make sure that the car you have selected is above board totally then the data check of a used car buyer’s guide is necessary. With a nominal fee this will inform the used car buyer if the car was or was not involved in any accident and that the insurance company has paid, if the car was stolen, how often the car has changed hands and how many miles it should show on the meter. Online is the surest and safest to buy a used car.
A professional site will provide a used car buyers guide but it depends on the used car buyer to collect all the information and to appropriately use the advice given. Generally, most of the sites that sell used cars online are authentic and reliable and a good bargain is possible, but you can come across those who are less trustworthy. Always be cautious when looking for the car and do take it for a test drive and remember the advice you are given.
For More information :- Car Donation
Buying A Used Car: Why You Should Attend A Used Car Auction
Are you in the market for a used car? If you are, have you ever thought about attending a used car auction? Although used car auctions are a great way to get affordable vehicles, it is as if they are a well-kept secret. It is time that you familiarize yourself with this well-kept secret, as it a great way for you to save money.
When it comes to used car auctions, many individuals do not even know that there is such a thing. Those who are somewhat familiar with used car auctions often associate the cars available for bidding as cheap, low-quality vehicles; like junk. Of course, you may run into a few less than perfect vehicles at a used car auction, for the most part, you may be surprised with just how many quality vehicles you can purchase. That is why you should attend a used car auction.
Speaking of attending a used car auction, there are many individuals who mistakenly believe that they must buy something at an auction that they attend. This is not how a used car auction works. While different used car auctions are operated in different ways, you and other bidders have the opportunity to bid on any used vehicles that you would be interested in owning. Should you not find a used vehicle that meets your interests, you do not have to place a bid. In fact, many auction attendees are actually just there for viewing. If you are unsure as to whether or not you should buy a used car from a used car auction, you may want to think about attending one just to see how the process works.
Another one of the many reasons why you should at least think about buying a used car from a used car auction is because of the auctions that you have to choose from. No matter where you live, you should be able to find at least a few used car auctions to attend. While you can attend any used car auction that you would like, you may want to take the time to find the perfect one. This will increase your chances of walking away with an affordable used car. Many used car buyers have seen success with auctions that are open to the public, ones that are free to attend, or ones where you are able to inspect all vehicles before placing a bid.
As previously mentioned, you may actually be surprised with the type of vehicles that you are able to find for sale at a used car auction. Unfortunately, many individuals mistakenly believe that only vehicles that were unable to sell outright, by the owner or a by a dealership, are placed into used car auctions. Yes, it is true that some of these vehicles may make their way into a used car auction, but those are not the only types of used cars that can be found at a used car auction. You should know that many used car auction houses or companies have a program is known as a consignment program.
A consignment program is where a used car auction house or company assists a car owner with the selling of their vehicle, for a reasonable fee. Instead of spending time fielding calls from potential buyers and spending time on marketing, many car owners now choose just to let a used car auction house or company do the work for them. What does this mean for you? It means that you could get a like-new vehicle for half of its value at a used car auction. In all honesty, you never really know what types of vehicles you can find at a used car auction. That is why it is advised that you at least think about attending one.
If you are interested in attending a used car auction and you live in or around the Chicago area, or are willing to travel to the area, you may want to checkout North Shore Auto Auction. By visiting their online website, which is located at www.publicautoauctionnst.com, you can find updated information on upcoming auctions, as well as the vehicles that will be available for bidding in those auctions.
Research You Should Do Online Before Attending A Used Car Auction
Are you in the market for a new used vehicle? If you are, have you ever thought about attending a used car auction before? Used car auctions are a great way to find a large selection of affordable, yet quality used cars for sale. If this is your first time attempting to buy a used car from a used car auction, you may not necessarily know that you should first do a little bit of research online.
When it comes to doing research online, before attending a used car auction, there are many individuals who wonder exactly what it is they should research. In all honesty, it depends. If you have yet to find a used car auction to attend, you may want to research local used car auctions online. You can also research used cars online. This is nice, as it gives you to opportunity to learn a little bit more about some of the cars that may be sold at a used car auction.
As previously mentioned, if you have yet to find a used car auction to attend, you may want to research local used car auctions in your area. One of the many ways that you can go about doing so is by performing a standard internet search. When performing a standard internet search, it is advised that you perform a standard internet search with your location in mind or the locations to which you would be willing to travel. For instance, if you would like to attend a Chicago area used car auction, you may want to think about searching with phrase like or similar to “Chicago used car auctions,” or “Chicago auto auctions.”
When visiting the online website of a used car auction house or company, it is advised that you thoroughly read through any information given to you. You will want to learn when the auctions are held, if inspection sessions are offered, if there is an admission fee, and what methods of payment are accepted. The sooner that you familiarize yourself with a local used car auction, the easier it would be for you to ask and get answers to any questions that you may have, particularly before the auction is scheduled to take place.
Depending on the used car auction house or company in question, you may also be able to find information online about the used cars that they plan on having available for bidding at their next auction. If you are given this information, you are advised to look it over. Many times, it is common to find pictures of the vehicles being auctioned off, as well as detailed descriptions; descriptions that may include the year and make and model of the vehicle in question, as well as the mileage. In addition to just reading the vehicle information that you are given by a used car auction company or auction house, you may also want to do a little bit of your own research.
When it comes to doing your own used car research, you may also want to rely on a standard internet search. Once you have the year, make, and model of a used car, you can learn more about the car in question. For instance, you can see if the car has a history of needing repairs. You can also find out if any recalls have been issued on the vehicle or vehicles in question. It may also be a good idea to find a website that allows you to examine the value of used cars. Having a used car value in mind is nice, as it may help to prevent you from bidding too much on a used car. On the other hand, having the estimated value of a used car can also let you know when you may get a “steal,” at a used car auction.
In short, the more research that you do, the more you should be able to benefit from attending and possibly buying a used car from a used car auction. If you live in or around the Chicago area, you may want to examine North Shore Auto Auction and the many scheduled used car auctions that they have, many of which include fifty or more used cars.
sábado, 24 de julio de 2010
Chicago Residents: Your Used Car Auction Options Reviewed
Are you a Chicago resident who is looking to buy a used car? If you are, you may want to think about buying a used car from a Chicago auction. When it comes to choosing a Chicago auction to attend, you will find that you have a number of different choices.
A common type of auction that many people attend, even when looking for a used car, is an auction where a large number of items are for sale, including used cars. These types of auctions are not always done on a scheduled basis though. Many times, the items being auctioned off are part of an estate or a business closing. Yes, you may be able to find an auction like this in the Chicago area where a used car or two is present, but you may want to look at auctions that are referred to as used car auctions.
Used car auctions are auctions that specialize solely in the auctioning of used vehicles. What is nice about used car auctions is that well-known auction houses or even auto repair companies often host them. Also, you are often able to get access to a large number of vehicles. Depending on the used car auction that you choose to attend, there may be as many as fifty used cars present. Used car auctions, unlike many traditional estate auctions, are often held on a scheduled, predetermined basis.
If you are interested in attending a used car auction, you will find that you have number of different used car auctions to attend, just in or around the Chicago area. For that reason, you may want to take the time to choose which used car auction or auctions that you want to attend. To save yourself time and possible even money, you will want to look at used car auctions that give you the opportunity to inspect all vehicles before placing a bid. It is also advised that you try to attend public used car auctions, as you do not need to have a dealer’s license or other documentation to bid on a vehicle. There are also used car auctions where you are required to pay an admission free, but many allow free entrance.
In addition to attending a used car auction that is hosted by an auction house or an auto repair company, you may also be able to find auctions in and around the Chicago area that are sometimes referred to as police auctions. Police auctions vary from auction to auction, but they do typically have a number of used cars available for bidding; however, the number usually is not as high as it is with the used car auctions outlined above. Often times, a police auction involves the auctioning of old police cars, as well as cars and other vehicles that may have been impounded or confiscated during a criminal investigation.
In addition to used car auctions that you can attend, you may also be able to find a number of used car auctions online. Online used car auctions are starting to increase in popularity. When it comes to online used car auctions, it is common for a number of individual auctions to be hosted on an online bidding website. While these bidding sites may be a great way to get a used car, you need to keep the current location of the cars in mind. For instance, if you live in or around the Chicago area, it may be costly for you to buy a car and transport it from New York.
The other type of online used car auctions that you may be able to find are ones that are hosted by auction houses or even auto repair companies. Instead of having a live auction, there are some individuals and companies who are now choosing to do online used car auctions instead and some are even deciding to do both. The only downside is that you may not get to inspect the used cars before hand.
As you can see, from outlined above, it is possible to buy a used car from a number of different auctions. While you may not necessarily see the same success, many used car auction buyers have had success with live used car auctions. If you are interested in attending a live used car auction, you may want to examine the auctions hosted by North Shore Auto Auction.
Tips For Buying A Used Car At A Used Car Auction
Are you interested in buying a used car from an auto auction or a used car auction? If you are, have you ever done so before? Unfortunately, when it comes to buying a used car from a used car auto auction, there are many first time bidders who end up making costly mistakes. To prevent yourself from being one of those used car auction bidders, you will want to continue reading on, as a few helpful used car auction tips are touched on below.
Perhaps, one of the most important things that you need to remember, when it comes to buying a used car from a used car auction, is that not all used car auctions are the same. Auto auctions come in a number of different formats. For instance, there are auctions where only used cars are sold and then there are others auctions where a large number of products, including used cars, are being sold. To have a larger selection of used cars to choose from, you may want to focus solely on auctions that specialize in the auctioning of used vehicles.
In keeping with the type of used car auction that you wish to attend, it is also important that you examine whether or not you are even able to attend. If you are just one lone individual who is looking to buy a personal car for yourself, you will want to try to find a public used car auction. Public used car auctions are auctions where anyone is able to walk in and place a bid on a used car. It is important that you know what type of used car auction you plan on attending, as there are auto auctions that require proof of a dealership license.
In addition to the type of used car auction that you wish to attend, it is also important that you examine how the auction is operated. For instance, are you required to arrive at the auction and bid on a vehicle that you have never previously seen or had the opportunity to examine? While a large number of auto auctions work this way, you may only want to attend auctions that give you the opportunity to inspect their used cars. This inspection session, if it is available, is often scheduled in the days leading up the used car auction. In addition, you may want to see if the auction house or company in question has an online website. If they do, you may be able to find information, including pictures and detailed descriptions, of some of the cars that at the auction.
It is also important that you examine methods of payment accepted before you start bidding on a used car at a used car auto auction. Unfortunately, many first time bidders mistakenly believe that all auto auctions accept the same methods of payment. This is a mistake can be troublesome and result in a large hassle. That is why it is important that you examine the methods of payment accepted. In most cases, you will find that cash, credit cards, or certified checks are accepted. In some rare cases, you may be able to find a used car auction house or company that offers financing or one that accepts personal checks.
Before bidding on a used car at a used car auction, it may be a good idea for you to speak to an auction representative. Depending on the auction house or company in question, you may even be able to do so before attending an auto auction. When speaking to a company representative, you will want to inquire about the documentation that you will receive when you bid on and buy a used car. After buying a used car, you will need to register it with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). To register a vehicle with the DMV, you need to have proof of ownership. Most well-known and reliable used car auction houses or companies will automatically provided you with the required documentation, but it may still be a good idea to get verification ahead of time.
Since the used car auction that you choose to attend will have a significant impact on the success that you see, when buying a used car, it is important that you choose your auto auctions carefully. If you are a Chicago resident, a resident of a surrounding area, or would be willing to travel there, you may want to examine North Shore Auto Auction.
Buying A Used Car: Your Options Reviewed
Do you live in or around the Chicago area? If you do, are you also in the market for a new used car? If you are, have you already started your used car search? If you have yet to do so, you may want to think about examining all of your options. When it comes to buying a used vehicle, many individuals end up wasting precious time, as well as hard-earned money. By first examining all of your used car buying options, you should be able to create a plan for yourself. This plan cannot only help you find a quality used car to buy, but it may also be able to save you a considerable amount of time and money.
In and around the Chicago area, you should be able to find a large number of used car dealerships. These dealerships are sometimes a great place to find used cars. The only downside to buying a used car from a Chicago used car dealership is that you never really know exactly who you are doing business with. Unfortunately, over the past few years, a large number of used car dealerships have started using some questionable tactics to help improve their sales. Now, this isn’t just limited to the Chicago area, as it is a trend that is seen all across the country, but it is still something that you should keep in mind.
Although you should display caution when looking to buy a used car from a Chicago used car dealership, it does not mean that you shouldn’t at least stop and examine the selection of cars at a used car dealership. As with buying a used car from anywhere, you are advised against relying on the word of the seller. Instead of just taking someone’s word, you will also want to do your own inspection. It is advised that you closely examine and inspect all used cars that you find at a dealership. You can expect to pay more money for a used car at a dealership than you would anywhere else; therefore, you want to make sure that your money will be money well spent.
In addition to buying a used car from a Chicago dealership, you can also buy a used car from other Chicago residents or from residents in the surrounding areas. When it comes to buying a new car, many new car buyers try to sell their own cars on their own, instead of using them for a trade-in. Many car owners believe that this will get them more money for their cars. The good thing about buying a used car directly from a car owner is that you never know when you may find a good deal. You may be able to find a used car for sale just by driving to and from work or on your way home from grocery shopping.
Although buying a used car directly from the car owner is a great way to find a quality used vehicle, you need to be careful about overpaying. As previously mentioned, a large number of car owners try to sell their own cars, instead of relying on them for a trade-in. This is often done in hopes of making extra money. That is what leads many individuals to price their used cars too high. Of course, you will want to make sure that you thoroughly examine and inspect any used car that you are interested buying, but you may also want to think about doing a little bit of research; research concerning the value of the vehicle in question. This will help to prevent you from paying too much money for a used car.
Another option that you have when looking to buy a used car is auto auctions. Auto auctions are nice because you are often able to choose from a large number of used cars. Some Chicago auto auctions have as many as fifty or more cars at each of their auctions. It is also important to mention that auto auctions are one of the cheapest ways to go about getting a used car. One of the reasons for that is because auto auctions are almost like a well-kept secret. Many used car shoppers do not realize just how great auto auctions really are.
Although auction auctions are a great way to buy a used car, you should proceed with caution. In and around the Chicago area, you should be able to find a number of used car auctions, many of which are held on a scheduled basis. To find an affordable, but reliable used car, you will want to attend an auto auction that gives you as much information on the used cars that they will be selling. There are some used car auction houses or companies, like North Shore Auto Auction, that post information on their upcoming auto auctions online, including vehicle pictures, as well as detailed information. You may also want to attend an auction auto that gives you the opportunity to closely examine or inspect each vehicle before bidding.
As you can see, you have a number of different options when it comes to buying a used car. For the best chance of success, you may want to think about attending a number of auto auctions, visit some Chicago used car dealerships, as well as speak with any car owners that may have used cars available for sale. By keeping all of your options open, you are more likely to find the used car of your choice.