how does it work donating a car to charity?

Question asked bybyrdman26: how does it work donating a car to charity?
I just brought a new car and i do not need my old car anymore so i am considering donating my car to a nonprofit charity. what my concern is how would that work as far as my taxes go? would i claim it and itemize it as a deduction? would i get the blue book value of my car?

Answers received:

Answer by white61water
Yes (deduction)

Yes (blue book value)

Yes great idea and helpful to the charities

Answer by Alex B, Ph.D
poor people drive your car until it is out of gas, and then they throw it away or recycle it to make paper bags for burger king

Answer by Jer
Yes, typically you will get a reciept that will show you donated the car. The reciept will show blue book value, sometimes more. When it comes to tax time, you will list it under donations. If I remember correctly, there might even be a section that you can specifically list a vehicle donation.

Answer by HEY boo boo
IRS is on to it be , afraid be very afraid

Answer by Red
the value of the car is placed by the charity. they will wholesale it and send you a tax receipt to take off your taxes. i’ve donated a couple of cars in the past and the value you receive is always a lot lower than if you sell it.
its just a convenience to get rid of it and it helps your charity out.

Answer by mrsoliviawilson
hi i’m a singal mom and a full time student looking for a car you could give it to me as a tax write off and i live in north carolina/

Answer by CHIK
Hi,
I am not sure about getting the Book Value on the vehicle, but basically you find an organization that is taking vehicles for donation and turn it over to them with the title. YES, it is an itemized deduction falling under the category of charitable donations. If you do not itemize your taxes and typically use the standardized deduction (because it works in your favor) then it doesn’t really matter.
Do choose a good organization when donating, do your research first. I never understood why the Girl Scouts take them, do they use them for their camping trips, cookie rallyies……I don’t get that one.
We have Wheels to Work with helps single, poor moms that are trying to work and stay off welfare. Although they have to support the vehicle on their own, insurance, reg fees and such) they are given a vehicle by the organization.
Now there’s a cause that comes back at your taxes twice over

Answer by nido_tr3s
If you don’t itemize on your taxes (for example, if you are not a homeowner), don’t bother donating the car unless you just want to do it as a kind deed benefitting a charity. If you itemize, go for it. Determine the Blue Book value on Kelly Blue Book or a similar site, PRINT OUT THE INFORMATION, and keep it with your tax records. If the Blue Book says the car you’ve donated was worth ,218, then that’s the amount you should claim. Keep the information with your records in case you are audited. The charity will give you a tax receipt. Also, if you’ve put any money into the car (repairs, etc.) recently, keep those receipts also to justify the Blue Book value. I donated a car to charity and it ended up being an incredible boon come tax time! It really reduces the amount of taxes you owe and will probably give you a hefty refund.