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Several state governments want complete shutdowns only in containment zones allowing space for the resumption of almost all activities, except large social gatherings and educational institutions, during lockdown 4.0.
Officials in several states said the guidelines defining containment zones, a key guidance document for enforcing lockdown 4.0, would come by Saturday and it was likely to divide a district into red, orange and green zones, unlike the existing methodology of categorizing an entire district as red, orange or green.
How Do Tax Deductions Work When Donating a Car?
OVERVIEW
Donating your car to charity can result in significant tax savings if you include it in your charitable contribution deduction. However, doing a little planning will ensure that you maximize the tax savings of your donation. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires you to calculate your deduction in one of two ways, depending on how the charity uses your donation. Deductions for cars the charity sells are limited to the sales price. In all other cases, you can use the car’s fair market value.
Step 1: Find out how much the charity sold the car for
Use the price the charity obtains for your car in a sale as the amount of your deduction. For example, if the charity sells the car at auction for $3,000, your deduction is limited to $3,000, even if the fair market value is $4,500. However, if the charity sells the car at a significant discount to a needy individual or keeps the car for its own internal use, then you can claim a deduction for its fair market value.
Step 2: Determine the car’s fair market value
The IRS suggests that you use a reputable used-car price guide to calculate your deduction when using fair market value. For example, go to your local library and obtain a recent copy of the Kelley Blue Book. Search the private party prices for your vehicle based on its make, model and overall condition. This type of search can be done on the Internet as well.
Step 3: Claiming the deduction
Report the amount of your deduction on Schedule A. Since you can only claim a deduction for your car donation if you itemize, the total of all your eligible expenses on Schedule A must exceed the standard deduction amount for your filing status.
If you use TurboTax to prepare your taxes, we’ll help you determine which filing status will get you the biggest tax savings.
Step 4: Additional forms you’ll need
Complete Form 8283 if your car donation deduction is more than $500. If your deduction is between $501 and $5,000, you must complete Section A. If your deduction is greater than $5,000, you must complete Section B. If you complete Section B, you must also obtain a written appraisal as documentation.
Again, if you use TurboTax, we’ll ask simple questions and fill in all the right forms for you.
Tips
If the charity sells your car sells for $500 or less, you can deduct $500 or your car’s fair market value, whichever is less. For example, if your car is valued at $650 but sells for $350, you can deduct $500.
Most charities will report the sales price of your car to you on Form 1098-C.
Warnings
You must have documentation of your donation. At a minimum, the documentation you receive from the charity must include your name, the vehicle identification number, the date of your donation and a statement describing the goods and services you received, if any.
To answer this question, we have to expand it to two questions. First, is it worth it to the person donating the car? And second, is it worth it to the charity receiving the car?
It’s easy to assume that donating a jalopy is easier than trying to sell it. And, the thinking goes, even though a donation won’t result in a pocketful of cash right away, it’ll pay off at tax time when the donation results in a bigger tax refund. Unfortunately, that’s not necessarily true.
The IRS is taking a harder look at vehicle donation deductions to make sure taxpayers’ paperwork accurately reflects their donated vehicles’ value. In the past, taxpayers who donated vehicles got to claim a deduction based on the car’s fair market value, but these rules have become more complicated.
While the IRS’ rules about vehicle donations to charity are long and complex, they boil down to two important points. First, the amount you can claim still depends on the vehicle’s fair market value (the amount you could sell it for), but it also depends on how the charity ends up using the vehicle — and that alone makes donation potentially more complicated than simply selling the car. In other words, you won’t know how much the deduction is worth when you make the donation. And you’re also responsible for following up with the charity, finding out how the vehicle was used and justifying the deduction claimed on the tax return. (The IRS website has all the information needed to figure out the allowable deduction based on specific situations.)
For many donors, the biggest deduction they can claim is $500 — and only if they itemize their deductions at tax time. Between the legwork involved and the uncertainty of the financial benefit, donating a car to charity just isn’t worth it for some people.
While it takes some effort to properly and legally claim the tax deduction, that’s only half the story. Second important point: It’s important to ensure that the charity has a good track record for using donations effectively. A good place to start is on one of the many websites designed to help potential donors research charities. Next, make sure your chosen charity actually wants the car (if they can’t use it, it’ll be a waste of time and resources for them to deal with it). They might use it for their own vehicular needs (such as delivering supplies), sell it or fix it up for a needy family. Whatever the car’s ultimate destiny, the charity must be willing to give you the information you need to complete your taxes properly. Otherwise, the whole question becomes moot.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of vehicles can be donated?
We accept almost all vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, farm equipment and construction equipment. If you want to donate your car or truck, please go to our donation wizard. If you want to donate any other type of vehicle, please call us at 1-877-277-4344.
When my vehicle is sold, how much of the money goes to Habitat?
Our partners at Advanced Remarketing Services return a higher percentage than any other vehicle processing entity. On a monthly basis, more than between 78% and 82% of the gross revenue generated from vehicle sales comes to Habitat for Humanity.
What happens after my vehicle is picked up?
Your vehicle will be sold on behalf of Habitat through a national network of auctions and direct buyers.
After the vehicle has been sold, you will receive an acknowledgement letter providing your vehicle sale information.
How do I know my car is in good hands once it’s been picked up?
All the auctions and direct buyers used by Habitat are licensed, insured and bonded in the states where they operate. By signing the title directly to Advanced Remarketing Services, you are legally transferring ownership of your vehicle to Habitat for Humanity.
When your title is received and your vehicle is picked up, you are no longer responsible for the vehicle.
Are there tax benefits to donating my vehicle?
Find out more about car donation tax deductions.
What happens to donated cars?
About half of our cars are sold to licensed dealers at wholesale auctions and are reused for transportation. The other half are typically transported to auto salvage yards where all reusable car parts, batteries, tires and fluids are removed. Vehicles that can be recycled are crushed, shredded and recycled into steel.
Recycling cars keeps a huge amount of steel out of landfills – enough to build nearly 45,000 steel-framed homes every year. The energy saved each year is enough to power approximately 18 million homes!
Habitat receives funds for each donated vehicle, although a car sold at auction generally generates more revenue than one that is recycled. Every donation makes a difference and the families that partner with us are extremely grateful for your help.
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