Home
| Lifestyle
| Cars
| Donate Cars
| How to Donate a Car to an ID Homeless Shelter
How to Donate a Car to an ID Homeless Shelter
by Daryn Edelman
-
Overview
People donate cars for a variety of reasons. You can use proof of donation of your car for a tax write-off. If you are looking to purchase a new car, if you feel that charity is important, if repairs cost more than the car is worth and you want to get rid of the old one, if you are emotionally attached to the aging car and want someone else to get use out of it, donating it to a charity is an admirable and effective way to give the auto a productive second life. If you live in Idaho, you might donate it to one of the homeless shelters in the state.
-
Car Donation: A Win-Win Situation
-
Step 1
Find a homeless shelter in Idaho. You can call information, check a phone book or visit sites online such as www.HomelessShelterDirectory.org/idaho. Most individual shelters have a phone number or website you can contact. They should be happy to provide you with the necessary information to donate your car. Some provide free pickup of the car.
-
Step 2
Determine the value of the vehicle. Check sites such as Kelly Blue Book to determine how much the car should cost. The homeless shelter or agency that takes donations on the shelter's behalf should mail you a receipt stating the value they sold it for. Do not overstate the value of the vehicle by a great deal, or you may encounter problems from the IRS.
-
Step 3
Some charities that offer homeless assistance have a toll free number and website, such as the Family Care Foundation in Idaho, 1-888-573-7033, at www.donate-car-for-charity.com where proper forms to fill out are online. Other organizations may be able to mail, email or fax you the correct forms.
-
Step 4
Drive the car to the facility, have them pick it up, or ask where to drive it to. You must provide the charity with the title to the vehicle. If you don't have the title, contact the Idaho Motor Vehicle Department to determine if you can donate your vehicle. You can visit, call or request information online at Itd.idaho.gov.
-
Step 5
Be sure you receive a receipt for your donation stating clearly the type of car, estimated value, date, name of charity and if it is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization under IRS guidelines. Check with the charity and the DMV if you need to fill out any additional paperwork to release your liability of the vehicle. You may have to fill out this form: Itd.idaho.gov/dmv/VehicleServices/documents/3858.pdf.
- 2
- Car
Pink slip/car ownership papers
- Car
- Pink slip/car ownership papers
