Car Donations Are On The Rise In Atlanta

Do people really donate their vehicles to charity? The answer to that question is yes! Absolutely! Over 1 million people per year donate vehicles to charitable organizations. Will you be one of the next few do this? We can only hope so.

When considering donating your vehicle to a charity you are giving someone less fortunate than yourself opportunity. Many charities work with many different types of people. From charities like the YMCA to the make a wish foundation, you can rest assured that by donating your used automobile your gift will be used to help those that need it most.

Keep in mind that scams within the car donation industry are on the rise dramatically. If you Google the phrase car donation plus your location, you will likely see a common scam. One that involves donors receiving retail value for vehicles donated. You may also see a program that states you will receive a free vacation for donating your vehicle.

This is a horrible scam, legitimate charities do not give perks or incentives to get you to donate to the cause. Even if the website states they are a legitimate charity, do not believe everything that you read. Do some investigation on your own, or stick with charity you are familiar with. Most charities have some type of program for working with vehicle donations. Whether they accept them or not, they can tell you this during an initial contact for inquiry.

Atlanta residents have many charities to select from, here is an example of a couple that are well known and are doing some really good things for some deserving people.

  • Make a wish foundation the make a wish foundation was started in 1980 when a young seven-year-old Chris Greicious had a wish. He wanted to become a police officer. However Chris was at war with a deadly disease called leukemia. His outlook was grim, as part of his wish he was sworn in as the first and only honorary police officer in Arizona history. He was given an official badge and taken on a helicopter tour of Phoenix.
  • Salvation Army Salvation Army is an international charity. Its message is based on the Bible. Their mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to help human needs in his name without discrimination. During the last year the Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta has assisted over 350,000 people with food and shelter. They also provide companionship for the elderly and ill.

When donating your car there are a few things you must keep in mind. One of those is the amount you will be permitted to write off of your taxes. If you donate a vehicle to a legitimate charity you will be able to write off its fair market value from your income taxes.

The charity receiving the donation will provide you with a receipt showing the fair market value of your vehicle. They will also send a copy to the IRS. Fair market value is not the same as what you would like to receive for your vehicle at retail. It is typically the amount you would receive if you are trading in a good condition running vehicle. If your car is old does not run well or is not worth much, you will not receive a huge tax write off.

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  2. What You Need to Know About Car Donations in San Jose
  3. What you need to know about car donations in Los Angeles
  4. Do You Want To Make a Car Donation to NPR?
  5. If I Donate My Car Will I Get a Tax Write Off?