Car Donations In California

A California vehicle donation here in the "Golden State" may help someone in need in your own community. An entire family could possibly end up getting helped by your generosity. And you may even get a tax deduction along the way. But these are not necessarily the best benefits.

Are there special rules for donating my vehicle in California?
Just a few special rules for the CA DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles: You must leave the license plates on the vehicle (most states you are required to remove them), and you must fill out a Release of Liability form. This form can be downloaded from the CA DMV website or filled out in person.

A tax break is just the start: Depending on your situation, you could immediately free your premises of a possible eyesore. You might get additional parking space and/or regain space in your garage (or perhaps your yard). You'll be able to circumvent the hassles as well as cost of having to refurbish an old motor vehicle in order to get it ready to sell - not to mention having to advertise it and find a buyer for it. These jobs are hassles and require your time to be able to complete them - your valuable time.

Free towing from your place: You may be thinking that repairing and selling your older car may get you a little more money as compared to donating it. Although this may be true, your car donation in CA can instantly take care of these time-consuming inconveniences. Remember your time isn't free, yet most non profit organizations will tow your car or truck for you - and for free. So this really is like money in the bank for you.

Non-running vehicles often accepted: And if your car or truck is non-running - and maybe even up on blocks, it is still more than worth it for the charity: The salvage yard will pay the charity enough money to cover towing plus some leftover for the needy. And in case your donated vehicle is valued above $500 (figured through Kelly Blue Book or NADA), you can claim more than the standard five hundred bucks tax deduction!

Beware of bogus "charities:" California has many bogus car donation "charities." Most of them are eventually busted and deactivated, but for every one that gets shut down, a new one appears. So how do you recognize which of them are legitimate?
One way is to check that any California charity you may be considering is registered with the state. Here's a link to the CA Charitable Organization Financial Database search: http://cfr.doj.ca.gov/.
Another link from the Attorney General of California is the Registry of Charitable Trusts (RCT), which can be found on this page: http://caag.state.ca.us/charities/statutes.htm.

Charity 'watchdog' websites: It turns out the answer is really simple - An easy search online using at least one of the online companies which qualifies charities based on a variety of factors. Simply type the name of the charitable organization in the search box on the 'charity watchdog' site. Or you could query the California Attorney General Office's website, or the Secretary of State website. Most states, like California, require nonprofits to register with them, and have searchable databases on their websites.

But another caution here: Nearly all of the Attorney Generals (including California) are quick to emphasize that although a charity is registered with them does not imply that the charity is necessarily a good one. Registration means exactly that - that the charitable organization registered as required.
It's interesting to note that part of the registration with the states (in the ones that require charities to register) is the requirement to submit financial reports every year. However, it is easy for the bogus charitable groups to fudge these reports, submitting figures that make them appear legit and 'above board.'

So check the charity out at two sites: Because we now understand that fraudulent car donation charities may be registered with the state of California, it's a wise idea to check out any charity you may be considering at a minimum of two websites:
Not only confirm that the organization is registered with California, but it is also listed 'in good standing' with one or more of the web based 'charity watchdog' agencies.

You having nothing to lose and everything to gain! So now you know how to choose a high quality vehicle donation charity here in California. Not only will you be doing something truly good for somebody or some family in your community, you may even get the tax deduction. And don't forget all those time-saving and hassle-saving fringe benefits of donating your old vehicle!

A California vehicle donation could not be easier. Simply click on your state - in this case - California, from the drop-down menu at http://goodwillcardonation.org for simple step-by-step instructions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5977904

Donating Cars in California

Have you recently purchased a new car and are having problems with your old one? You don't know where to park them? Well, one good way of disposing these old vehicles is to donate them. The best place for car donation is the state of California.

Car donation in California is a famous alternative for those who have old vehicles. Car owners can donate their vehicles including vans, cars, boats and other types of vehicles to a charity of their choice. This is one good way of getting rid of an old useless vehicle. In addition, you are able to help those who are in need without bothering yourself about what to do with that car.

The vehicle does not need to be in very good condition to be donated. In fact, broken down cars may also be donated. These centers would tow the broken cars for free. They will then fix these and auction them for a profit. The money earned from the auction will be given to the charity of your own choice.

Another way of donating automobile is by giving it to a poor family. According to the research done by Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP), a non-profit agency, 20 percent of the American poor families can not buy a car. They are spending 40.2 percent of their budget with transportation expenses. STPP conducts a study about transportation alternative choices of Americans.

There are advantages in donating your ride in California. In other states, you are required to have the original title in order to donate. This is not the case here. In fact, as long as you are the legal owner of the car, you can still donate. The Center for Car Donations would provide you with a duplicate title form to be signed. On the other hand, car donors are entitled to a tax deduction. This is in accordance with the new tax law of 2005. In some cases, you are given a free vacation for your act of charity.

Another benefit of donating car in California is the free towing services offered. You're not required to bring the car to the Center for Car Donations. They are ready to pick it up especially if it is not in good running condition anywhere within the state.

You simply follow steps in giving out your car. First, prepare the vehicle. While it is not necessary for the car to be in good running condition, it would still be good if you make sure that it is presentable enough. Simply clean it and make sure you have nothing of your personal belongings left inside.

You also need to prepare all the important documents like registration and insurance. If you don't have the title, the Center for Car donation would provide you with a duplicate title form. After gathering all the documents to be transferred, make an online search for car donation companies that would facilitate your car donation. Make sure that the company is valid before submitting all the documents. This would prevent you from falling victim of scams.

When the car is picked up, the company would give you a tax form. This is important for you to avail of tax deduction. Make sure to file a notice of release of liability to a local Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV). Ask the people who picked up your car on how to fill out the form. Lastly, inform your insurance company that you donated your car to charity. Do this on the day you release your car. This is important for them so they can discontinue the insurance coverage.

For more information on Automobile Donation and Car Donations. Please visit our website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2931820

Donate Your Old Car To Charity

In case you may have an old car left at your house, and you're not sure exactly what you might do with it, consider donating the vehicle to charity. You may be convinced that the old car isn't really worth very much and it's only an old junker. To the contrary, your vehicle may still have a lot of uses. You may well help lots of people by just donating your vehicle, while likewise gaining something for you. Donating your vehicle is the greatest way for you to do away with it, considering all the good it will do. The charitable donation could mean a whole lot, without you even knowing it.

A great way to begin would be to do an online search for any charities. Looking for all of them on the internet is generally the quickest, most simple method to see them and find any information you will need. It will be possible to speak to a person who is able to describe the actual procedures and also the regulations related to tax deductions, and also respond to all of your concerns. It is necessary for you to learn ways to deduct your donation from your taxable income. You will be able to deduct from the income taxes more than several hundred dollars. The actual charity is going to tell you after they complete the sale of the donated vehicle as well as the selling total. You should use this amount to figure out your own deduction.

The particular make and model of a vehicle will mainly determine its market value. For instance, many late models vans and other vehicles having a higher mileage could be practical, but may need high-priced repairs before they may be approved for road use. Just by donating your car or truck, you could be providing yourself a tremendous tax benefit and also the ability to get back the space it is taking today. Many of these charities actually will use the cars for their own transportation to help them all operate their particular organization, while others merely sell them to help boost funds.

A few of these programs you might find are in fact not charities at all, but are actually salvage companies that are granted permission by the charity to use their own name. In exchange, the salvage company agrees to pay the charity a certain dollar amount on each vehicle donated. To be sure that the charity is genuine, learn what they plan to do with your car. Will they be employing a broker to take care of the sales transaction? Additionally, ask how much from the sale price the charity will keep for itself. By knowing exactly how much they will keep, you can find out how much goes toward the charitable cause you intend to help. Typically, a charity keeps much less of their selling price if they depend on a percentage rather than a set dollar amount. Definitely think about the benefits that are involved. You may benefit financially and also help those in need.

Visit my blog to learn more: Donate Old Car

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6909110

Help Local Charities in California Through a Car Donation

To get someone to come out when you donate your car, you have to fill out a form through your designated donation agency and they'll send someone out to pick up the vehicle free of charge. After that happens, you actually get a form from the company verifying the transaction and the fair-market value of the car, which you can use for your upcoming taxes. Most donations can be used for tax write-offs anyway. Vehicle donation is no different. Your money can go to help other people, but it can also go to help you come tax season.

For the most part, these car donation agencies will try to sell the vehicle at a public auction. After you donate autos, the company works to get as many people out to bid on it as possible. The theory is that with more bidders come more chances for higher bids. Thus your used car donation will be worth a lot more because there will be more people there to buy it. These people are made aware of the charity that the car is being sold for, so most of the time they'll bid far more than the value of the car just so they can assist the charity. Your car is then put to the best use possible.

California has a plethora of charities that can benefit from car donations. KidWorks in Santa Ana is an educational youth group that promotes better communities through hope in the future. It is similar to the Boys and Girls Club, a national non-profit organization founded to help troubled children in need of guidance. This charity also uses vehicle donations. L.I.F.E Animal Rescue in Agoura Hills is a center founded for orphaned or unwanted pets to have a place to call home. LAX Area Youth Life in Los Angeles is a religious youth leadership organization that helps keeps kids on a steady track to success. There are so many more to choose from, so go find a place to donate autos to today.

To know more about Online Car Donations in California, visit Car Donation California [http://www.Bestcardonation.com]
3011 Ave k
Brooklyn, NY 11209
USA
1-800-688-0889
info@bestcardonation.com
[http://www.bestcardonation.org]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3081667

Car Donation Charities in California

The act of donating a car to charity is one of the most rewarding things you can do. When you donate your car, you do more than just support a charity. You actually help to improve someone's life. To help a needy person, please donate a car to one of these respected charities in California.

Established in 1946 in Davis, California, Freedom From Hunger has been fighting chronic hunger and poverty in the world through innovative programs designed to help families achieve long term food security. Their programs are serving over 18 million people in some of the poorest countries in the world. They are both nongovernmental and nonsectarian and they have been given an A- rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy.

Teach for America works to ensure that children in low income areas get an excellent education. Less than half of the children in California are on grade level for reading and math, and it ranks 48th in academic performance. In the Bay Area, Teach for America has been providing great education for over 10 years. In Los Angeles, they have operating since 1990. Teach for America works to recruit leaders who work to expand educational opportunities in low income areas and then teach for two years in those areas.

The Guthy Jackson Charitable Foundation is dedicated to the treatment and a cure for neuromyelitis optica. NMO is a very rare disease that can affect the optic nerve and spinal cord. People with this horrible disease can develop vision loss, or weakness, numbness, and sometimes paralysis of the arms and legs along with sensory disturbances and loss bladder and bowel control. Although there are some treatments available a lot more research is needed to find better ones and a cure.

A Home Away From Homelessness is dedicated to supporting and nurturing the needs of homeless and formerly homeless children and families in San Francisco and Marin. Their homes provide a physical, emotional and spiritual break for children along with educational, social and recreational opportunities.
Family Builders believes that every child has the right to grow up in a permanent, nurturing family regardless of the child's age, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or medical, physical or emotional condition. Family Builders educates the community about the needs of waiting children, advocates on their behalf and places the children with permanent, secure families through adoption.

The car donation process is easy and the pickup is free. You can donate your car even it no longer runs or is in poor shape. You just need to have a title for your car and it needs to be where the tow truck can easily get to it. In return for your car donation, you will get a valuable tax deduction and a sense of pride knowing you have done a really good thing. For complete details on how to donate car, please call 1-866-4483487.

Karen Campese is the Co-founder and CEO of Cars4Charities, a not for profit car donation center. They have over 1,000 respected charities that you can donate car to. When you donate your car [http://www.cars4charities.org/], you get a tax deduction and help a good cause.

Auto removal - Turn your used cars into CHARITY CARS

Auto removal - Turn your used cars into CHARITY CARS

• Are you looking for a quick and easy way to recycle or dispose of a scrap, used or junk car?
• Do you have a newer vehicle to donate that would increase your tax deductible giving?
• Would you like us to pick up your used cars for free? We provide free car removal towing service.
• You can make a difference by donating your vehicle to the charity of your choice!
• Let the memory live on by donating an estate vehicle.
• Remain environmentally friendly by recycling your used cars, while contributing to the well being of others.

Donate Your Used Cars. It's Easy!

• Submit your vehicle information here.
• Donate a Car Canada will arrange to have your vehicle picked up at no cost to you.
• We will look after all the details to sell or recycle your used cars.
• We will send a cheque to the charity of your choice, and they will send you a tax deductible receipt.

Opening the Doors to Charities Nationwide

Donate a Car Canada makes it easy for ANY Canadian Charity to benefit from vehicle donations nationwide. Most charities are not set up to directly receive vehicles as a form of donation. The process is too complicated, time consuming, and costly for them, thus making it a difficult or impossible form of fundraising.

This simple process makes it possible for more charities to benefit from the generosity of donors like you. We expertly handle all aspects of processing your used cars; send the net sale proceeds to the charity, and then the charity mails you the tax receipt.

Giving You the Power of Choice!

Supporting charitable organizations is a valued and respected part of our Canadian society. As we realize that people are drawn closer to certain charities and causes, Donate a Car Canada gives you the power of choice in making your generous donation. With many charities to choose from, you can feel satisfied in knowing that you are contributing to the charity that is closest to your heart.

We do MORE than Recycle Your Ride!

While we recycle vehicles in an environmentally friendly manner, we are not just auto recyclers. If you have a newer or estate vehicle that you would like to donate, we have selling agents across the country that are ready to assist in maximizing your donation.

Donate a Car Canada accepts all types of vehicles for donation. Donate your Car, Truck, Van, SUV, Motorcycle, Boat or RV.

Tips for Donating a Car to Charity

Tips for Donating a Car to Charity

A charity that uses a donated vehicle for transportation or hauling goods obviously benefits directly from such a donation. However, in many cases donated cars will be sold en masse, either by the charity itself or by a dealer to raise funds for the charity. In the case of a dealer, the charity generally receives a flat fee per car, sometimes as little as $45 per car.

Listed below are tips for donors who would like to donate a car to charity. Beware that the donor's tax deductions for car donations may be limited to the price at which the charity sold the car.

•  
• To receive the maximum tax deduction on your car donation, and to receive the satisfaction that the full value of the car benefits a charitable purpose, give it to a charity that will use the vehicle in its operations or will give it to a person in need. Otherwise, your tax deduction will not be based on the fair market value, but will be limited to the amount of money the charity receives from the sale of your car. If the charity you are donating to does sell the vehicle, ask what percentage of the proceeds they receive. See Car Donations: Taking Taxpayers for a Ride for more.
•  
• Ask if the charity accepts car donations directly, without involving a third party. If possible, drive the vehicle to the charity instead of using a towing or pickup service. This will allow the charity to keep the full amount of any proceeds from selling the car.
•  
• Make sure the charity is eligible to receive tax deductible contributions. Ask for a copy for your records of the organization’s IRS letter of determination which verifies its tax exempt status.
• Be sure that you get a receipt from the charity for your car donation.
•  
• Be aware that non-cash donations are one of the most common triggers to an audit by the IRS, so you’ll want to document the value of the car and keep records of it.
•  

• If the car is worth more than $500, the donor must complete Section A of IRS Form 8283 and attach it to their tax return. Donors are required to file with his/her tax return a written acknowledgement from the charity. If the charity sells the car, the charity must provide the donor with a certification that the car was sold at "arms length" between unrelated parties and the sale price of the car within 30 days. In this case, the donor's tax deductions will be limited to the total amount the charity sold the car for. If the charity does not sell the car, it must provide the donor with a receipt within 30 days of the contribution. The charity may also be required to provide certification to the donor stating how it plans to use or improve the car and stating that it promises not to sell or transfer the car. Penalties are imposed on charities that provide fraudulent acknowledgements to donors.
•  
• If the car is worth $5,000 or more, an independent appraisal is necessary. The donor must also fill out Section B of IRS Form 8283. For cars worth less than $5,000, use the Kelley Blue Book, the Hearst Black Book, or a guide from the National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) to determine the market value. Make sure you use the correct figure for the date, mileage, and condition of your car. Picking the highest figure for your car model and year without taking into account other factors may not pass muster with the IRS.
•  
• Take pictures of the car and save receipts for new tires or other upgrades to verify its value.
•  
• Remember, it is the donor, not the charity, who is obligated to value the car and who will pay the penalties if an IRS challenge finds your figure inaccurate.

Donate a Car in Orlando, FL

Car Donation Service in Orlando, FL

Donate a car or other vehicle in Orlando, FL, the city that's whose symbol is the fountain at Lake Eola, to the charity of your choice and receive a tax receipt for your contribution. In addition to car donations in the city nicknamed "The City Beautiful", we also accept trucks, vans, SUVs, motorhomes, RVs, hybrids, trailers, boats on trailers, construction equipment, motorcycles, off road vehicles, and personal watercraft vessels! Car donation to charity in the Orlando area can and does make a huge difference in the lives of others. Start your Orlando car donation today online or over the phone (877-957-2277) and we'll help maximize your charitable contribution, earning your charity more money and you a bigger tax deduction.

How do I release the liability of my donated vehicle in Orlando, FL?

• The state of Florida DOES require a Certificate of Title in order to transfer ownership of your vehicle.

• In order to complete your Florida car donation, transfer your title by entering the name of our authorized agent, ADVANCED REMARKETING SERVICES in the buyer/purchaser field. Please PRINT and SIGN your name in the seller/owner field EXACTLY as it appears at the top of the title.

How do I sign my title to donate a car in Orlando, FL?

For detailed instructions on how to properly fill out your title click on one of the pictures below to see an example title

Donating a Car to Charity in Florida

Donating a Car to Charity in Florida: Donate to Help

Donating a Car to Charity in Florida. You can help a cause that needs your support when you donate a car, truck, van, RV, boat or other vehicle through DonateaCar.com. Florida nonprofit organizations need your support to continue their important mission benefitting your community. Help them in their work when you donate a vehicle in Florida.

DonateaCar.com proudly serves the Sunshine State with the top car donation network for service and support. Your car or other vehicle donation will be picked up by a professional vehicle transportation company and you can avoid the paperwork and expense of selling a car. You can donate in Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Hialeah, Tallahassee, Fort Lauderdale, and surrounding communities throughout the state. Help those in need by supporting a vital cause and get a tax deduction for doing so, donate now!