Donating Car: Why Bother?

More and more people are deciding to donate their cars to charity. There are now thousands of charities that are now choosing to take cars in lieu of cash donations.

People chose to donate cars to charity for many reasons.

The first reason is for the car donation tax. In the US, taxpayers who donate to charity (any charity) can write the value of that item off of their taxes. When you donate cars to a charity, make sure to get a donation receipt and keep it for your records for April.

While some people do not need a car donation tax credit, they still donate their car to charities because they believe in the work of the charity. Charities such as the Kidney Foundation and the American Diabetes Association do wonderful work to find cures for different debilitation and deadly diseases. There are drop off locations in each state for these and thousands of other charities.

People are donating car to charity because they have been touched by the specific charity. For example, families touched by Habitat for Humanity (either by working on a house or having been given a house) can donate a car to the charity to help others find a house they can be proud of.

Donating car to charity is an easy way to get rid of a car. With the price of gas as uncertain as it has been the last few years--not to mention the money needed to insure multiple cars--many families are deciding to downsize their vehicle fleet to save money. Other empty nesters are getting rid of cars they do not need anymore after their children moved out and purchased their own vehicles. Rather than letting the vehicle rust in the driveway, these couples are donating car to a charity they like.

Mostly, people donate cars to charity because it makes them feel good! Something happens when you give to other people, either your time, a box of food, or even donating car to charity. We feel better about ourselves when we are not focused on ourselves but on others. Knowing that your car is going to be used to help others is probably the best thing you can do for yourself when you have an old car you do not want anymore.

There are thousands of websites of charities accepting car donations available through a quick web search. Do a bit of research and you will be able to find the perfect charity to which you can donate your car.

Tags:
Automotive