How to Donate a Car in Florida

Florida residents can donate their old cars to charity organizations and receive a federal tax deduction for doing so.
Written by Holden Easterbrook
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Help yourself and your community—donate your old and unwanted car to a charity organization in Florida for a sizeable federal tax deduction.
What do you do when you have a car you no longer want or need?
Sell it
?
Gift it
to a family member? Or
trade it in
to a dealership? Both solutions can take a significant amount of time, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll get the best value for your vehicle. Instead, why not turn that clunker into some good for the community by donating it to a charity organization?
To help you get the most out of your car donation, the
car insurance
super app
Jerry
has compiled this handy how-to guide for Florida residents. Check out the rest of the article for how to donate a car in Florida, what sort of tax deduction you can expect to earn, and a few charity recommendations (plus how to save on your
Florida car insurance costs
).

How to donate a car in Florida

When it comes to getting rid of an unwanted vehicle, donating it has a lot of perks—convenience, tax deductions, the warm fuzzies. Unfortunately, there are still risks involved, such as missing out on your tax deduction by donating to the wrong non-profit!
  • Be sure you’re giving to a legitimate charity. Not all charities are made the same—and some aren’t real charities at all. Do your homework before donating your car; otherwise, you might get caught up in a scam.
  • Check out the available Pub. 78 data. The IRS keeps track of all organizations that can accept tax-deductible donations and makes that list available to the general public via an
    online search tool
    .
  • Get your paperwork in order. Before you can donate your car, you’ll need to have the signed title, make/model of the car, current mileage, and the VIN.
  • Know the fair market value. Use websites such as
    Kelley Blue Book
    to find the fair market value of your vehicle for an idea of the tax deduction you’ll earn by donating it.
  • Set a pickup date. When everything’s ready, you’ll have to contact the non-profit organization for them to come to collect your old car.
  • Save your receipt. Without the receipt of your donation, you cannot claim your tax deduction for donating your car. You’ll also need the sale price of the vehicle if the charity decides to sell it.

How do taxes work when donating a car?

The tax deduction you’ll be eligible for after donating a car is determined by if the car was sold and the sale price if it was.
  • If they sell the car
  • For more than $500—you’re eligible for a tax deduction equal to the sale price of the vehicle.
  • For less than $500—you’re eligible for a tax deduction of up to $500.
  • If they keep the car—you’re eligible for a tax deduction equal to the fair market value of the vehicle.
  • It’s vital to keep in mind that tax-deductible donations are not accepted by all charities. If you accidentally give to the wrong organization, you’ll be ineligible for a tax deduction when you file your yearly taxes.
    Key Takeaway Make sure the charity you’re donating to can accept tax-deductible donations and is not a scam operation in disguise.
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    Where to donate a car in Florida

    Don’t already have a cause in mind that could benefit from the proceeds of your unwanted car? This is just a sample of some great non-profit organizations working in Florida.

    Cars for Prostate Cancer

    In terms of charities, there’s no bigger cause than the fight against cancer.
    Cars for Prostate Cancer
    makes donating your car as simple as can be. Between taking care of the DMV paperwork and getting you the documentation you need to claim your tax deduction, they do everything but sign your name for you.
    They also welcome any questions you may have about the donation process or their organization. You can contact them at any time, day or night, and speak with a bilingual staff member about the fight against prostate cancer.

    Kars4Kids

    Want to make a difference in the life of a kid?
    Kars4Kids
    is trying to help children across the nation reach their full potential through one-on-one mentorship, after-school programs, and summer camps. Invest in the future generation by donating your old vehicle today.

    Goodwill Car Donation

    Interested in seeing more done to help uplift disadvantaged communities?
    Goodwill Car Donation
    will take your old car,
    boat
    ,
    RV
    , and more as a way to raise funds for community-building programs. Between job training and employment services, you can help the less fortunate help themselves by donating your unwanted vehicle.

    Vehicles for Veterans

    Have you thanked a veteran today? What about helping them live a better civilian life?
    Vehicles for Veterans
    is turning old cars into programs that focus on medical care, housing, and employment opportunities for both disabled and former members of the armed services. They did their part and now you can do yours while getting a tax deduction at the same time!

    How to find affordable car insurance quotes in Florida

    Once you’re done helping to fund a worthy cause, it’s time to find a new car. While you’re at it, you can use this opportunity to get the best insurance rates possible by using the
    Jerry
    app.
    As a
    trustworthy licensed insurance broker
    and super app, Jerry routinely saves drivers an average of $887 on their annual car insurance expenses. How is this possible? It’s simple, really—Jerry scours a selection of more than 55 insurance providers for only the best quotes on offer.
    The process takes less than two minutes, so there’s no reason to keep overpaying for run-of-the-mill coverage. Get Jerry today and stop wasting your hard-earned money!
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