How to Donate a Car in Mississippi

When you donate a car in Mississippi, you can earn $500 or more in tax deductions.
Written by Sara Brody
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Donating a car is a great way to give to your community, offload a vehicle you’re not using, and earn tax deductions, all at the same time! Read on to learn about some of the best places to donate a car in Mississippi. 
Sometimes, saying goodbye to an old car can be complicated. You might find it difficult and time-consuming to sell it online or through a third party, and trading it in doesn’t always pay off. Whether your car is still in good condition or on its last legs, you might be wondering about the best way to offload an unwanted vehicle. 
Maybe car donation hasn’t yet occurred to you, but you might be surprised at how convenient it actually is.
Car insurance
comparison super app
Jerry
is here to walk you through the ins and outs of donating your car in Mississippi, including tips on how to avoid scams, where to donate vehicles, and how to reduce your
Mississippi car insurance costs
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Find insurance savings

How to donate a car in Mississippi

It’s fairly straightforward to donate a car, and one major advantage of donating rather than selling or trading your vehicle is convenience. Here’s how the process works: 
  • Choose an organization to donate to. Be sure to look for reputable organizations whose mission you care about. Car donation is a growing industry, and unfortunately, there are a lot of scammers out there. 
  • Check Pub. 78 data by using the IRS’s
    online search tool
    , which determines whether or not organizations can receive tax-deductible donations. 
  • Gather your documents. Typically, you’ll need a signed title, the car’s
    make and model
    , vehicle identification number (VIN), and current mileage. 
  • Check your car’s fair market value with
    Kelley Blue Book
    , a great resource for finding a car’s fair market value, which will help to determine your tax deduction. 
  • Arrange a pickup. Schedule a time for your car to be picked up by calling the organization or contacting them online.
  • Hang onto your receipt for tax purposes. If your car is sold by the organization to which you donated it, find out the sales price to learn what you’re eligible to claim. 

How do taxes work when donating a car?

On top of the warm feeling of giving your car to someone in need, you’ll also get a tax deduction as a perk of your generosity. Since most organizations that accept car donations will sell the vehicle to raise money, you can expect your tax deduction to be based on the amount your car sells for after you donate it. 
If your car sells for more than $500, you can claim the sale price on your taxes, regardless of whether the market value was higher. To illustrate, if your car’s fair market value was $1,000 but the organization sold it for $700, you’d only be able to claim $700 on your taxes. 
If your car sells for less than $500, you’ll be able to claim either the fair market value or $500—whichever is less. This rule could allow you to claim a larger deduction in circumstances where a charity sells your donated car at a significant markdown to a needy family. 
If the organization keeps your car, you may claim the fair market value. 
Be sure to remember that these rules only apply to organizations whose donations are tax-deductible. If you donate your car to a trade school for mechanic training, as an example, you may not be eligible for any tax deduction.
Key Takeaway Research your chosen organization’s tax records before committing to a car donation to avoid being scammed!

Where to donate a car in Mississippi

Wondering where you can donate your car in Mississippi? To get you in a charitable mindset, we’re rounded up seven reputable organizations accepting car donations in the Magnolia State. 

Wheels For Wishes

Wheels For Wishes
is affiliated with the Make-A-Wish® Foundation, which uses the proceeds from donated car sales to benefit critically ill children. The Mississippi chapter of Wheels For Wishes accepts donations of cars and other vehicles in
Jackson
, Gulfport,
Biloxi
,
Hattiesburg
, and other cities and towns across the state.

Cars for Prostate Cancer

Cars for Prostate Cancer
is an organization that accepts donations of non-running or damaged cars to raise money to research a treatment or cure for prostate cancer. They offer fast, free pickups, and they also promise to get the most value from your donated vehicle while handling all the paperwork.

Goodwill

Goodwill doesn’t just accept used clothing and kitchenware—they’ll also take your car! Just call or fill out a donation form, and someone will come to pick up your vehicle. Proceeds from
Goodwill Car Donations
go towards helping the less fortunate in Mississippi.

Cars2Charities

Since many actual charities cannot process their own vehicle donations,
Cars2Charities
exists as a car donation servicing company to streamline the process. Their program promises to maximize the value of every donation they receive, and you can also trust that your donated car will arrive at a reputable charity and be used to help others. 

Kars4Kids

Kars4Kids
is a charity that accepts vehicle, boat, and real estate donations to help kids in need nationwide. They offer 24-hour pickup for donated cars and promise that you’ll be able to save money on your taxes and help disadvantaged youth in the process.

Vehicles for Veterans

Vehicles for Veterans
is an organization that uses proceeds from donated vehicles to help disabled veterans in need. They promise no costs on your end, and free pickup regardless of whether your vehicle is running or not. They’ll also take care of all paperwork and send you an IRS tax receipt for your records.

Local trade schools

If you want your donated car to be used, not sold, you can ask your local vocational school if they accept vehicle donations for auto shop classes. 

How to find affordable car insurance quotes in Mississippi

You can save on your taxes by donating your car, but how do you protect the car you’re still driving? With Jerry, the
trustworthy licensed insurance broker app
, you can save money on car insurance too!
Using Jerry is easy: it takes just 45 seconds for users to sign up and receive competitive, personalized quotes from the 50+ top providers who partner with us. Once you’ve chosen the lowest rate, our team of expert agents makes the process seamless, with a minimum of paperwork and waiting. 
Jerry won’t sell your information or waste your time, and we’ll never, ever call you—except if you ask us to! With next-level customer service and the average user saving $887 per year on car insurance, it’s no surprise that Jerry is the #1 rated app.
“After signing up with
Jerry
, I went from $199/month to $97/month for my car insurance. My 2019 Subaru Forester now has full coverage for a great price!” —Rhonda H.
RECOMMENDED
Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry
This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
avatar
Gabriella R.
Find insurance savings
rating primary
4.7/5 Rating on App Store
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings