car donations

[danaeris]

After some thought, I think unseelie and I want to donate his car to a charity after transferring the car's ownership to me. As an individual who expects to make large amounts of self-employment income this year, having $2000 to deduct could go a long way.

So I'm looking for a local charity which accepts car donations and is a 501(c)(3).

Anyone have any recommendations?

Comments

[finbardivine.livejournal.com]

Hi-

Friendsfriends brought me in (although i haven't looked to see the connection). One thing to keep in mind most of the time it's more economical to sell the car and take the cash. Even with the extra income taxes you have to pay you do better then you would the other way.

If, however you want to donate the care for other reasons feel free it's a great way to give back.

[chrisla.livejournal.com]

I am thinking about going with these people:

http://www.kars4kids.org/

As you get a free two nights stay for two as a bonus.

The only two things that look shady to me is:

1. They do not say _which_ hotels/motels. If they even said "stay in a motel 6 of your choice" I would be fine, b/c you would at least know it was clean.

2. They specify one of the couple needs to be gainfully employed. It makes me wonder why they care.

I may still do it anyhow though.

[emmett-the-sane.livejournal.com]

Except for the donation, it sounds like a timeshare-presentation tie-in. Just a guess.

[leggylady.livejournal.com]

I went through The Polly Klaus (sp?) foundation. It was a fricking nightmare. I can divulge more details if you want.

also, I read somewhere (SF Gate, maybe?) that the IRS is considering making HUGE changes to this system...making it non-deductible for most. You may want to look into it and make sure that you will definitely be able to claim it.

transferring title

[admiralthrawn.livejournal.com]

If you plan to transfer the ownership to you and then immediately donate it for the deduction, you might want to check with a tax accountant; there may be rules preventing that (to prevent people from buying a $50 car and then immediately donating it and claming a $2k deduction). The IRS doesn't audit much, but sudden huge deductions are one of the flags that can trigger one. For that matter, so is having a lot of self-employment income.

Re: transferring title

[danaeris.livejournal.com]

We actually should be ok. He owes me well OVER the value of the car, even when being optimistic about its value. He is giving me the car and allowing me to sell it, keep it, or donate it in order to pay back the majority of the sum. And we have records in my checkbook and elsewhere of the money he owes me. Much of it in fact was for car repairs. :)