The Car Donation Process

The car donation process takes from a few days to a couple of weeks to end. It largely depends on the organization, which is actually receiving the donation. Once you have selected the charity to donate your car, call them over the phone or go directly to their office.

Once you fill up their form, they will ask you to provide the title of the car. After you show them the title and other documents, they will send a tow truck to pick up your car on the following day. You have to fill out the IRS form 4303, if you want a tax deduction option from the deal. After that, they will try to sell it as soon as possible. As selling a used and old car can be time consuming, it may take several weeks before you get their call saying, your car has been sold. If you are planning to ask for a tax deduction, you have to wait until the car is sold.

If you are lucky or your car is actually a worthy one, it will be sold within a week. A car that is in somewhat a decent state is generally sold straight away via advertisements or is auctioned off with other vehicles. The charity will then inform you over the phone or by a letter. Only after receiving their call or letter, you can ask for your desirable tax deduction.

What happens to the donated car depends largely on its physical condition. Most charities accept cars in any condition, though they prefer to get used cars that are still presentable and in good working conditions. If the condition of the car is not suitable for selling, it is usually sold for scraps.