Earth Share of Washington Car Donation Program
Washington car & vehicle donation programs
1402 3rd Avenue, Suite 817 Seattle, WA 98101 206.622.9840 info@esw.org
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How You Can Help
Donate your vehicle through our Car Donation Program
Car Donation FAQ
- How long does it take to pick up my vehicle?
- How does the process work, from start to finish?
- Is my car eligible for donation? Will you accept my car?
- Does Earth Share use my vehicle? Does Earth Share tow the vehicle, transfer the title and sell it?
- How do I calculate the tax deduction for my vehicle donation?
- In what tax year will I report the deduction for my vehicle donation?
- Do I need my title to donate my vehicle?
1. How long does it take to pick up my vehicle?
It takes about one week to pick up your vehicle. We are sometimes able to put a rush on towing, depending on our schedule. It's worth calling to find out.
2. How does the process work, from start to finish?
You would submit information about you (address, phone, etc.) and the vehicle (year, make, model, location) to us either over the phone or via our online form. We forward that information to our car donation service, who will call you within 1-2 business days to make arrangements with you to tow the vehicle. When the service arrives to pick up your vehicle, you would hand over the signed title and keys. They transfer ownership, make repairs as needed, sell the vehicle, and send the proceeds to Earth Share. When we receive the notice of sale and determine the gross proceeds before any administrative or repair fees, we would send you a formal acknowledgement and an IRS form 1098-C, which you would use for tax purposes. The process takes anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months, depending on how quickly your vehicle sells. Should you have any questions during that time, call Jeff Whitton at Earth Share - 206-622-9840.
3. Is my car eligible for donation? Will you accept my car?
We accept all vehicles newer than 1990, regardless of their condition. We are only able to accept vehicles older than 1990 if they are in good working order.
Earth Share does not use the vehicles that are donated. Instead vehicles are sold to a salvage yard or at auction and Earth Share uses the proceeds to support our conservation work in the community. Earth Share contracts with a service to process car donations. Our car donation service makes arrangements to pick up (or tow) your vehicle, transfer the title, sell the vehicle, and send the proceeds to Earth Share after repair and administrative fees. Please call us at 206-622-9840 for more information about our car donation service.
5. How do I calculate the tax deduction for my vehicle donation?
The IRS allows you to deduct from your taxes the gross proceeds that Earth Share receives from the sale of your vehicle, before repair and administrative fees are assessed. It takes from 2 weeks to 3 months from when we pick up your vehicle, to when we receive the proceeds from the sale of your vehicle either at auction, or to a parts lot. When we receive a notice of sale, we will send you a written acknowledgment and an IRS form 1098-C that includes the gross proceeds from the sale of your vehicle. You may use this IRS document for tax purposes.
6. In what tax year will I report the deduction for my vehicle donation?
You are eligible to report your tax deduction for the year in which you first submitted your vehicle donation information to Earth Share of Washington. For example, donations submitted through our online donation form or by phone before December 31, 2006, are applied to your 2006 taxes, even if the vehicle isn't sold or received until 2007.
7. Do I need my title to donate my vehicle?
No, although you do need some proof of ownership of the vehicle. A title is preferable but we are able to accept an 'affidavit in lieu of title', which can be obtained from any Washington State Department of Licensing office. In order to donate to any nonprofit organization or to sell your vehicle, you would need either a title or an affidavit in lieu of title, this is the law. For a list of Department of Licensing offices, please visit: https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/ddl/lobbywaittime/
