Vehicle & Vessel Donation FAQ
How does the AuxA accept and process vehicle and VESSEL donations?
AuxA partners with a leading online vehicle donation non-profit organization (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) that handles all the administration, appraisal, transfer, and selling activities.
How do vehicle AND VESSEL donationS work?
1.Call (866) 398-4483 or complete the online donation form on the CARS website to start your donation. CARS vehicle donation support team is available seven days a week and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
2.Schedule your free pick-up. CARS arranges to have a licensed tow company pick up your vehicle at a convenient time and at no cost to you.
3.We receive the funds from the sale, and you could qualify for a tax deduction! Vehicle donations are tax-deductible, and we work to get the highest return per vehicle for us and your tax benefit. In most cases, when the driver arrives to tow your vehicle, you’re provided with the donation receipt. You will be mailed a thank-you letter within 30 days of the sale of the vehicle, which also serves as a donation tax receipt.
2.Schedule your free pick-up. CARS arranges to have a licensed tow company pick up your vehicle at a convenient time and at no cost to you.
3.We receive the funds from the sale, and you could qualify for a tax deduction! Vehicle donations are tax-deductible, and we work to get the highest return per vehicle for us and your tax benefit. In most cases, when the driver arrives to tow your vehicle, you’re provided with the donation receipt. You will be mailed a thank-you letter within 30 days of the sale of the vehicle, which also serves as a donation tax receipt.
What vehicles OR VESSELS may be donated?
Just about any thing with an engine can be donated. The CARS program office will make an evaluation and determine if they are unable to accept individual vehicles, but generally they will take any motorized vehicles (running or not). This includes cars, trucks, motorcycles, airplanes, boats, RVs ATVs, jet skis, or even farm machinery. Additionally, trailers, and campers are frequently approved for acceptance. Essentially, it must be in one piece and towable, and be tow truck accessible. You can call toll-free to (888) 299-8150 seven days a week to verify if your vehicle is acceptable for donation.
Does my vehicle OR VESSEL need to be in working condition?
No, CARS has given us significant profit on boats without engines!
Can cars, trucks, trailers, boats, and air craft be donated for use by the Auxiliary?
This donation program does not allow direct donation of a vehicle. If you have a facility ready boat, trailer, or air craft that you'd like to donate for use by the Auxiliary, please raise the donation request through your flotilla commander.
What do you do with donated vehicles AND VESSELS?
Donated vehicles are sold through used-car markets to provide funding to Auxiliary programs. Our donation coordinators works with a nationwide network and independent vendors to sell the vehicle and maximize donation proceeds. CARS regularly reviews performance and prices from vendors to ensure the best possible return for all involved.
How much will by flotilla or division receive from the donation?
Units can receive 33% of the donation's proceeds if they are designated at the time of donation. An email can be sent to [email protected].
What do I need to donate a vehicle OR VESSEL?
In addition to having a clear Title, prior to acceptance of your donation, the CARS staff will request basic information and photographs to conduct an initial assessment prior to commitment to accept the vehicle.
What if I don't have the Title or have Title issues?
In most states, you will need the clear Title, but if you don't have it or have problems or liens on the Title, please contact CARS representatives at (888) 299-8150. It's possible that other arrangement may be made, and the CARS representatives can often answer questions about the processes. However, please refer to the motor vehicle division in your state for clear instructions.
How do I check the status of my DONATION or get other answers?
The professionals at CARS are available seven days a week - please call (888) 299-8150 or email [email protected] for help. AuxA staff have limited access to donation data, CARS can help you much more quickly.
Are there any costs?
No, there is no cost to the donor. All expenses are deducted from the gross sales price and if the costs ever exceed the price, those costs are covered by CARS, our donation coordinators.
Does my VEHICLE OR VESSEL NEED to be registered?
This varies from state to state. CARS representatives have up-to-date details for each state and can guide you if you call or email.
Do I need a smog certificate or safety inspection?
No. For states with this requirement, you may donate your vehicle without a smog certificate or safety inspection.
Vehicle and Vessel Donation Tax Benefits
Is my vehicle or vessel donation tax-deductible?
Yes! Vehicle donations are tax-deductible; although individual tax situations vary. For specific tax-related questions, please consult you tax advisor or refer to IRS Publication 4303.
How is the value of my tax deduction determined?
Most vehicles are sold through local wholesale auctions and CARS works to get the highest return per vehicle for you and the AuxA. According to the IRS Guidelines, you may claim fair market value for your donation up to the actual sale value. If your vehicle is sold for more than $500, the maximum amount of your deduction will be the sales price of the vehicle which will be listed on your IRS Form 1098-C.
A special rule may apply if the donated vehicle sells for $500 or less. In this case, a deduction for the lesser of the vehicle's fair market value on the date of the contribution may be claimed, or $500, provided you have written acknowledgement (i.e. the initial donation receipt or the thank you letter you receive once the donation process is complete).
A special rule may apply if the donated vehicle sells for $500 or less. In this case, a deduction for the lesser of the vehicle's fair market value on the date of the contribution may be claimed, or $500, provided you have written acknowledgement (i.e. the initial donation receipt or the thank you letter you receive once the donation process is complete).
Defining the Fair Market Value
The “fair market value” of a vehicle is the price that you could sell it for in its current condition to another individual, willing seller and willing buyer, and it represents the cash that you give up to make the donation. A convenient source of this information is the private party sale value as shown in online valuation guides such as Kelley Blue Book (https://www.kbb.com/company/faq/new-cars/#whatIsFairMarketRange).
What tax forms will I receive and how do I receive them?
In most cases, you will receive an initial donation receipt from the tow driver at the time of your vehicle pick-up. This initial acknowledgement will indicate your name as well as the year, make, model and condition of the vehicle you are donating. You will then be mailed a thank-you letter on behalf of Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, which serves as a tax receipt, within 30 days of the sale of the vehicle. This will be your final tax document if your vehicle sold for less than $500.
If your vehicle sells for more than $500 and your tax identification number has been provided, an IRS Form 1098-C, ‘Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes’, will be mailed to you within 30 days of the sale stating the amount of gross proceeds received from your donation.
If your vehicle sells for more than $500 and your tax identification number has been provided, an IRS Form 1098-C, ‘Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes’, will be mailed to you within 30 days of the sale stating the amount of gross proceeds received from your donation.
How do I request a donation or tax receipt?
Please call CARS at (888) 299-8150. during regular hours of operation, or email [email protected], and we would be happy to help you.
What if my donation is valued over $5,000?
Effective January 1, 2005, you are no longer required to have vehicles appraised. The value you may claim will be the amount of gross proceeds received from your vehicle. If your vehicle sells for more than $5,000, you will need to complete Section B of Form 8283 and obtain an acknowledgment signature on the form prior to claiming the deduction, and the completed form will need to be included with your income tax return.
Where can I find additional IRS tax deduction requirements for a charitable vehicle and vessel donations?
There are many resources available to guide you through the vehicle donation process. Please click the links below to access IRS publications and resources. If you still have questions, please feel free to reach out to CARS toll-free at (888) 299-8150 seven days a week during regular hours of operation.
Privacy Policy
This vehicle donation program protects the privacy of every donor. Donor information is not given to any organization except the IRS as required by law. Donor names and addresses are shared exclusively with the donor-designated organization. Social Security numbers required under the current tax law for vehicle donations are only shared with the IRS. Social Security Numbers are encrypted with AES256 encryption. The encryption key is stored remotely from the data. Controls are in place to limit who can request access to the decrypted Social Security Numbers with logs stored of each access.
State Notification
State Notification proves that you are no longer the registered owner of the donated vehicle. Depending on the registered state of the vehicle, your next step (after your vehicle has been picked up) is to notify the state about your recent vehicle donation. Please only notify your state after the vehicle is picked up.
This step may be required by the State and may include surrendering the license plates.
The steps needed to release your liability of a donated vehicle vary by state. CARS Vehicle Donor Service Representatives can provide you with the steps necessary for each state. If you have questions about how to notify your state about your donated vehicle, please give CARS a call at (888) 299-8150 seven days a week during regular hours of operation, or email [email protected].
This step may be required by the State and may include surrendering the license plates.
The steps needed to release your liability of a donated vehicle vary by state. CARS Vehicle Donor Service Representatives can provide you with the steps necessary for each state. If you have questions about how to notify your state about your donated vehicle, please give CARS a call at (888) 299-8150 seven days a week during regular hours of operation, or email [email protected].