The Donation Process

What can I donate?

We accept most cars, trucks, trailers, boats, RV's, motorcycles, off road vehicles, heavy equipment and most other motorized vehicles. If you have any questions about what you can donate, please call us toll-free at 877-537-5277 seven days a week.

Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes! At CARS™ we work with hundreds of non-profit 501 (c)(3) charitable organizations that are classified with the IRS. Individual tax situations vary so please check with a tax professional to determine how you may benefit.

How much will my tax write-off be?

The amount that is tax deductible is the sale price of the vehicle. For more information on tax write-offs, we suggest you review IRS Publication 526 which sets forth the manner in which the IRS requires you to determine the value of your donated property.

What do I need to donate my vehicle?

You will need the title to the vehicle, but if you do not have it, please call us anyway. It is possible that other arrangements may be made. Please call us toll-free at 877-537-5277 seven days a week.

My car hasn't run in years. Can I still donate it?

Yes. We are able to accept most vehicles running or not. Exceptions include older vehicles whose value would not offset the cost of towing. Most vehicles need to be intact and in towable condition. To find out if we can accept your vehicle, please complete our secure online donation form or call us toll-free at 877-537-5277 seven days a week.

Can you pick up vehicles in all 50 states?

We are able to pick up most vehicles in the continental United States.

How is the value of my car determined?

Before filing your taxes, we suggest you review IRS Publication 526 which sets forth the manner in which the IRS requires you to determine the value of your donated property.

How will the car be picked up?

We will arrange to have your vehicle towed away at a scheduled time convenient for you. The vehicle will be picked up by a licensed tow company at no cost to you and will be taken to our sale location.

How long will it take to pick up my car?

We will contact you to schedule an appointment within two to three business days at the most. If you need your car picked up sooner, please call us toll-free at 877-537-5277 seven days a week. We may be able to make those arrangements as well.

How can I contact you to schedule a pickup?

Please complete and submit our secure online donation form or call us toll-free at 877-537-5277 seven days a week.

What do you do with my car?

We have our own sales locations where we evaluate the cars. When it is cost-effective, we make major and/or minor mechanical repairs. We use auction houses to sell the majority of our vehicles. On occasion we may receive a unique or specialty item for which we may use other means to sell the vehicle. Our goal is to ensure that the non-profit organization receives the maximum amount of money for each donation that they receive.

Can I choose a non-profit of my choice?

Absolutely! To date, almost $20 million has gone to non-profits via our program. We are dedicated to providing an avenue for people to support their interests with charitable contributions. You will be donating your vehicle to a non-profit organization of your choice. The non-profit you choose will receive 70% of the net sale amount.

Can I designate a church or organization not listed on your web site?

Yes. Our Non-Profits We Support page shows a partial listing of the non-profits and non-profit organizations that we partner with. If you wish to donate to a non-profit or organization not listed, just fill out this secure Donation Form and include the name and address of your favorite non-profit. Or call us toll-free at 877-537-5277 seven days a week to speak to a representative.

I'm ready to donate. How do I get started?

To donate online, fill out this simple and secure online donation form. To donate by phone, call 877-537-5277 seven days a week. It's that easy!

Where can I find more information about CARS™ ?

We have been providing an avenue for car donations for over 10 years and we are proud of our record of service. We invite you to read about us here on this web site. We also encourage you to visit the official State of California Office of the Attorney General site for Charitable Trusts to view our corporate filings. Please call us at 877-537-5277 with any questions you have about us.

More Information

For more information about vehicle donations, view the links below:

All publications are available on IRS.gov or by calling
1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).