Car Donations FAQ
Frequently asked questions for people who plan to donate their car or any vehicle donation.
1. How can I get faster pickup?
3. How do I fill out a Release of Liability Form or Report of Sale? And do I need one?
4. How long does it take to get my vehicle picked up?
5. Do I have to be present at the time my vehicle is picked up?
6. How long will it take to get my receipt?
7. Do you pick up mobile homes?
8. My car isn't in very good condition, can you pick it up?
9. How much will my tax receipt be?
10. Do you need my VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) in order to have my car picked up?
12. Does my vehicle have to be registered in order for you to pick it up?
13. Do you need my license plates?
14. What if I don't want to leave the title in my car for pick up?
15. Can the tax receipt be made out to someone other than the name(s) on the title?
16. Do I need to fill out the donation form fully?
17. What if my car is damaged?
18. Should I donate or recycle?
19. Do I need to itemize in order to receive the tax deduction benefit?
20. Are you a bona fide 501 (C)(3) Charity, recognized by the Internal Revenue Services (IRS)?
1. How can I get faster pickup?
You can get faster pick up by filling out the Donation Form thoroughly. This means puting complete information in each of the boxes on the form that request informaiton.
2. Do I need a title?
Yes, absolutely.
The only exceptions are as follows:
Rhode Island for vehicles manufactured more than 10 years ago.
For New Hampshire and Vermont vehicles manufactured more than 15 years ago.
In California if you don't have a title you will need to obtain a Reg Form 262 or 227 from your DMV. For vehicles that are 1997 and newer a Reg 262 is used. For vehicles that are 1996 and older a Reg 227 Form is used.
The Reg 262 Form must be obtained by appointment from the DMV and must be in your posession in order to donate your vehicle if you do not have a cetificate of title in your posession. For more information on the Reg 262 Form click here.
The Reg 227 Form can be obtained online. For more information on this form click here.
3. How do I fill out a Release of Liability Form or Report of Sale? And do I need one?
In California you need to fill out the Notice of Transfer and Liability Release Form which you can obtain online. For more information on this visit our web page.
In Washington you need to fill out a Report of Sale Form and you can find it at the Washington State Department of Licensing website, For more information on this visit our web page.
Some other States may require similar information. In our online instructions you will find detailed information on how to fill out these forms.
Our online instructions provide ALL the information you need in order to fill out this form.
4. How long does it take to get my vehicle picked up?
It usually takes between 1-2 business days to have the vehicle picked up. Of course as mentioned above you do need the certificate of title and keys for pickup.
5. Do I have to be present at the time my vehicle is picked up?
No. You can make arrangements with the Towing Auction Facility so that you don't have to be present.
6. How long will it take to get my receipt?
Per the new tax law of 2005 the Tax Receipt cannot be mailed to you until the vehicle has been auctioned off and the charity has received the proceeds and paper work. We have found this usually takes between 60 to 90 days from the time the vehicle is picked up.
7. Do you pick up mobile homes?
No. You might contact a local church, school or youth group. If they have a large lot they may be able to use this for additional sleeping quarters or class rooms, etc.
8. My car isn't in very good condition, can you pick it up?
We cannot say for sure until we have all the information we need to make that decision. Please fully fill out a Donation Form to provide this information.
9. How much will my tax receipt be?
That depends on the amount of the sale of the vehicle per the new tax law of 2005. For more information on what vehicles have been selling for you can visit our web page.
10. Do you need my VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) in order to have my car picked up?
No. But please do send it to us as soon as you can. The VIN should definetly be part of your permanet record and the chariy's permanent record of the vehicle donation. You can find the VIN on your Certificate of Title.
11. If me, my vehicle and my title are not all in the same location can I still donate my vehicle and you pick it up?
Certainly. There is more information on this in our instructions that we send and the Towing Company can help you with this as well.
12. Does my vehicle have to be registered in order for you to pick it up?
No.
13. Do you need my license plates?
No. If you live in a state that requries you to turn in your license plates in order for you to discontinue your insurance or to prove you no longer own the vehicle you should remove the plates prior to pick up. There is more information on this in our online instructions.
14. What if I don't want to leave the title in my car for pick up?
No problem. Just coordinate with the Title Department of the Towing Auction Facility. There is more information on this in our online instructions.
15. Can the tax receipt be made out to someone other than the name(s) on the title?
No. The tax receipt is made out to the name(s) on the title.
16. Do I need to fill out the donation form fully?
Absolutely. Doing this will speed up the process and make things easier for everyone. Please follow each induvidual instruction as it appears on the donation form.
17. What if my car is damaged?
Fill out a Donation Form. Please describe in detail all of the damage, including which parts are damaged and to what extent. Also include whether or not there is any damage to the engine or engine area with details. Also include whether the vehicle is drivable.
18. Should I donate or recycle?
It is up to you. To receive a tax benefit you do have to itemize your deductions. If you do not know if you itemize your deductions please contact your tax prepare.r You can visit this page to find out more about these two programs.
19. Do I need to itemize in order to receive the tax deduction benefit?
Yes. For more information on the tax deduction procedure please visit this web page.
20. Are you a bona fide 501 (C)(3) Charity, recognized by the Internal Revenue Services (IRS)?
Yes
