Rev. date: 1/2010If you claim a deduction of at least $250 but not more than $500 for the car donation, you will need only a written acknowlegment from the charity at the time of the donation. The acknowledgment must include the name of the charity, a description of the care, and a statement of whether the charity provided any goods or services in return for the car and, if so, a description and estimate of the fair market value of the goods and services. Do not attach the acknowledgment to your return: instead, retain it with your records to substantiate your donation.
If you claim a deduction of more than $500 for the car donation, you will need the following:
- Copy B of Form 1098-C, Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes. Attach this form to your tax return.
- Section A of Form 8283 (PDF), Noncash Charitable Contributions. Complete Section A only if you claim a deduction of $5,000. Attach this form to your tax return.
- A written acknowledgment form the charity that includes your name and taxpayer identification number, the vehicle identification number, the donation date, and a statement of whether the charity provided any goods or services in return for the car and, if so, a description and estimate of the fair market value of the goods or services. Attach this acknowledgment to your return.
- You will need to obtain and keep evidence of your car donation and be able to substantiate the fair market value of the car.
If you claim a deduction of more than $5,000 for the car donation, in addition to the items listed above for deductions of more than $500, you will also need the following:
- Section B of Form 8283 (PDF) You should complete Section B, which generally requires an appraisal by a qualified appraiser, instead of Section A, and attach the form to your return.
- A written acknowledgment by a qualified appraiser. Do not attach the appraisal to your tax return; instead, keep it with your records to substantiate your donation.
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