If you have an old vehicle sitting in the garage that's no longer needed, you may want
to consider donating it to a local charity. It saves you the hassle of trying to
sell it yourself, you get to help out a local charity and you get a nice tax deduction to
boot. Most charities will arrange to have it towed at no cost to you. Of
course, you'll need to have a clear title so you can sign it over. The vehicles are
typically sold at an auto auction and the proceeds, less the auction and towing fees, go
to the charity. Please contact the charity for specific details about
their donation program.
How Much Money Will You Get for Your Vehicle? The money you get will be in the form of a tax deduction. The amount of the deducation depends upon the fair market value of the vehicle you report to the IRS and your tax bracket. For example, if the value of the vehicle is $1,000 and your federal tax bracket is 25%, you will save $250 on your federal taxes. You must also be able to itemize deductions on your tax return in order to claim this deduction.
How is the value of the vehicle determined? If you are claiming up to $500, the IRS allows you to determine the value. If you are claiming more than $500, the IRS will allow you to use the gross amount the charity receives from the sale, less the towing expenses. The charity will have to furnish you with a receipt for the amount of the sale. To get an idea of the fair market value for your vehicle, use a reliable source of used vehicle prices such as Kelly Blue Book or NADA. You can probably expect the vehicle to sell for less than this amount. For more information on claiming your vehicle donation as a tax deduction, the American Lung Association has compiled an excellent guide.
What Will I Need Before I Turn the Vehicle Over? Each charity's requirements may vary, but in general you will need the original title and it must be free and clear of any lien's. You will be required to sign the title over when the tow service picks up the vehicle. Round up all of the keys and spares and stick them in an envelope for the next owner. If you have maintenance manuals and service records for the vehicle, you would be kind to the next owner to stick them in a clearly marked folder/envelope/box and place them in the vehicle; it may not hurt to alert the tow driver that they are there so they don't get tossed as junk. The presence of records at the time of auction might also bring a few more dollars for the vehicle as bidders would be better able to assess the vehicle's condition.
Here is a list of local charities that are known to accept vehicle donations. If you are aware of others, or you discover an error in the following information, please use our Feedback form to let us know. Last updated on 12-MAY-2016.
Local Charities:
The Arc of Southern Maryland, Inc.
PO Box 1860
Prince Frederick, MD. 20678
410-535-4466 x109
The Arc of Southern Maryland provides supports for people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities to live, work, and recreate in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties. We provide housing, assist people to obtain employment with local businesses, help families with children with disabilities stay together, and advocate for the rights of people with developmental disabilities. We accept cars that are 1987 or newer, in running condition, with a clear title. To donate your car call 410-535-4466 x109 or visit their donation page.
The Center for Life Enrichment, Inc.
25089 Three Notch Road
Hollywood, MD 20636
301-373-8100, 301-373-3019 (FAX)
Please call or write for more information on vehicle and boat donations, or visit their online page.
Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center
24005 Point Lookout Rd.
Leonardtown, MD 20650
301-475-0242
301-475-0245 (fax)
The cars are used to practice certain tasks for student learning and projects. They are junked when they are no longer usable. However, the possibility exists for a vehicle to be repaired and sold if the funds generated can benefit the program(s) that made the repairs. Vehicles can be no older than ten years and must be able operate under their own power. Please, no boats, boat motors, or motorcycles.
For more information, or to arrange a donation, please contact one of the following:
• Richard Beasley - Automotive Technology Instructor (rlbeasley@smcps.org)
• Michael Stevens - Automotive Repair & Refinishing Instructor (mwstevens@smcps.org)
• John Wolf - Diesel Technology Instructor (jewolf@smcps.org)
Regional and National Charities:
There are numerous regional and national charities who accept vehicles as donations. You can use your favorite search engine to find them. You may want to review their latest IRS Form 990 to see how well they utilize their funds towards their stated objectives.
Please note, if you represent a charity that is not headquartered in Southern Maryland (Calvert, Charles, or St. Mary's counties) and your charitable efforts are not dedicated to the citizens of Southern Maryland, please do not ask us to list you here.