How to Donate Your Car in Massachusetts (MA)

Introduction: What is a Car Donation and Why Do I Qualify?

A car donation is a charitable donation of your used car. It can be a great way to help nonprofit organizations with their missions. For example, you can donate your old car and get a tax deduction for the value of the vehicle.

A car donation is one of the best ways to give back to your community. You can make a difference in someone’s life by donating an old car that you no longer use or need.

steps for donating a car in massachusetts

The first step is to find a car donation organization. A good place to start is the website of the National Kidney Foundation.
The next step is to call the chosen organization, which will provide instructions on what to do and what paperwork is needed.
The third step is to gather all relevant documents, such as insurance cards, registration and title.
The fourth step is to take the car for a safety inspection in order for it to be donated.
Finally, you’ll need to make an appointment with your local DMV office in order for them to complete the paperwork.

How much does it cost to donate my car in Massachusetts?

The process of donating your car to charity is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is fill out a form, sign it and provide a title or registration. You will also need to provide an odometer reading and a list of any missing keys.

There are no extra fees for donating your car to charity in Massachusetts. However, you may be charged for the cost of storage if you don’t pick it up within 2 weeks from the date of donation.

If your vehicle has been declared as salvage or junk, then you will not be able to donate it in Massachusetts.

Best Charities to Donate your car in MA;

Make-A-Wish Car Donation
WBUR Car Donation
Vietnam Veterans Car Donation Massachusetts
Charity Cars, Inc.
Helping Hands of America
Habitat for Humanity Car Donations
Vehicles For Veterans
Boston Car Donation
Habitat for Humanity Car Donations
ArfforKids Donating a car

Best ways to donate a car in MA

The best way to donate a car in MA is by contacting a local charity or non-profit organization. They will be happy to take your car and put it to good use.

If you don’t have a vehicle that you want to donate, but still want to give back, you can always make a monetary donation. You can also volunteer your time and skills for the cause of the charity or non-profit organization that you want to support.

Donating an automobile is a great opportunity to assist a good cause while also receiving a tax break. Donors should be aware that tax deductions for used cars, boats, and airplanes are only available to those who donate to a qualifying charity and itemize their deductions on their tax forms.

Check if the organization you want to donate to is eligible by checking with the IRS and applicable tax laws.

Tax-exempt organizations are ones that the IRS deems to be 501(c)(3)s under the Internal Revenue Code. To verify an organization’s status, you can:

search for the organization on the IRS website to determine whether it is on the “Publication 78 Data List” of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions here; or
call 1-877-829-5500 for contact with IRS Tax Exempt/Government Entities Customer Service

Organizations, such as churches, synagogues, temples & mosques are not required to register with the Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division or apply for tax exempt tax status from the IRS. As these organizations are not listed in Publication 78, donations will not represent a charitable deduction on federal income taxes.

Ask the charity plenty of questions

Go to the charity’s website to learn more. Examine its annual financial statements, which can be found here, as well as its IRS Form 990, which can be found at the same URL and here. Consider using an independent charity rating agency, such as the Better Business Bureau’s www.Give.org, www.charitynavigator.org, or www.guidestar.org, to research the organization.

Learn about the organization’s mission and how your contribution will aid it. Inquire if your donation can go to a specific program or service that you are interested in, or if it must go to the charity’s general fund. Don’t give to a charity that won’t tell you what it does for a living or won’t offer you information.

Ask what the charity will do with your car

Some charities refurbish old cars, providing people in need with them. Other charities sell old cars and use the proceeds for their charitable purposes. Some schools use cars in their auto shop classes, while others just resell them.

Ask if the charity handles all aspects of your donation

Many charities – including ours – contract with other companies to handle motor vehicle donations. These arrangements vary, but often times those conducting the process keep a portion of the money they collect on behalf of charities themselves. If this is the case, we can assure you that your funds are put to good use.

Deduct only the amount allowed by law

Beginning in 2005, Section 884 of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 introduced sections 170(f)(12) and 6720 to the Internal Revenue Code, changing the requirements for donating cars, boats, and planes. Different requirements apply to deductions, depending on the value of the car and whether the charity intends to keep and utilize the vehicle or sell it (or its parts). The new restrictions are detailed in the IRS publication “A Donor’s Guide to Vehicle Donations” (Publication 4303).

READ: How to Get a Donated Car from Church or Goodwill (FREE)

Steps to take before donating your care

Have your vehicle appraised by a qualified professional appraiser if it is worth more than $5,000.
Please make sure that you have the title of your car. A charity should not accept a donation without a title. To obtain a duplicate copy of your title, visit your local vehicle registry branch or visit the RMV online.
Transfer the title when donating. Only the charity or an approved private, for-profit agent of the charity shall be given a title assignment. In order for the charity’s for-profit agent to be valid for tax-deductibility purposes, it should be subject to the charity’s oversight. The IRS has issued “A Charity’s Guide to Vehicle Donations” (Publication 4302), which lays out the requirements for the agency connection.
Thanks for sending in your donation title by mail. Your info will be updated on IRS.gov while the other side would need to be returned to you when we receive it from the United States Postal Service in a couple of weeks.

Maintain a personal record of your donation

You should include in your file the following items:

A written contemporaneous acknowledgment from the charity.;
Thank you for your generous contribution to (name of organization) and all the work that they do;
The date and location where you picked up your car;
a reasonable description of the donated vehicle or a photograph of the vehicle;
The car’s fair market value at the time of the contribution, as well as how that value was determined;
If the car was appraised, a signed copy of the appraisal;
Any terms or limitations that come with donating a car;
How did you get the car (buy, gift, inheritance, etc.) and when did you get it?
A copy of your driver’s license, registration, and any receipts issued by the towing business or charity.

Make A Car Donation To Provide A Better Life For Veterans

Veterans make great sacrifices to fight for our nation, but reintegrating back into society is not always simple. You may support handicapped veterans and other veteran programs by donating a car, truck, boat, camper, or motorcycle to Vehicles For Veterans. Your car gift can aid in the funding of veteran support programs.

Help Veterans Who Need It

Why wouldn’t we give back to veterans who help us feel comfortable in our towns and homes during a difficult time? Vehicles For Veterans contributes to the funding of programs that help veterans meet a variety of fundamental needs.

Many soldiers who serve our country come home with disability or face other difficulties at home. By giving your car to Vehicles For Veterans in Boston, you can benefit veterans all throughout the country.

Get A Good Tax Deduction For Donating Your Vehicle

When you donate a vehicle to Vehicles For Veterans, you will receive the maximum tax deduction allowed, as well as free pick-up or towing in Boston or anyplace else in Massachusetts. Even if your vehicle is no longer operable, it will be picked up or taken away at no cost to you!

Donating a car is simple and just takes a few minutes of your time.

Call 1-877-646-3295 to start the donation process and speak with a representative!
You may also complete a donation form online. In this case, a staff member will contact you within 24 hours of the next business day.
It’s easy to include your charitable donations in your taxes. Simply keep your receipts for next year and enjoy a tax-deductible good deed.

If you’re interested in giving back to our veterans and want an easy way to do so, donating a car in MA is an excellent option. Put your car donations towards veteran programs and make a tangible difference through the work they do.