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Charitable Contributions of Vehicles, Boats, and Aircraft
Larry Denton
If you donate a vehicle (including a boat or aircraft) to a qualified organization after December 31, 2004, your deduction is limited to the gross proceeds from its sale by the organization. This rule applies if the claimed value of the donated vehicle is more than $500. However, you generally can deduct its fair market value if the organization: makes significant intervening use of the vehicle; materially improves the vehicle; or transfers the vehicle to a needy individual in direct furtherance of the donee's charitable purpose of relieving the poor and distressed or underprivileged who are in need of a means of transportation.
If the claimed value of the car is more than $500, you must have a written acknowledgement of your donation from the organization and must attach it to your return. If you do not have an acknowledgement, you cannot deduct your contribution.
The acknowledgement must include the following information:
Your name and taxpayer identification number.
The vehicle identification number or similar number.
A statement certifying the car was sold in an arm's length transaction between unrelated parties.
The gross proceeds from the sale.
A statement that your deduction may not be more than the gross proceeds from the sale.
The date of the contribution.
If, however, there was significant use of or material improvement to the car by the organization, the acknowledgement does not have to include the information in items 3, 4, and 5 above. Instead, it must contain a certification of the intended use of or material improvement to the car and the intended duration of that use and a certification that the vehicle will not be transferred in exchange for money, other property, or services before completion of that use or improvement.
This acknowledgement must be provided within 30 days of the sale of the car or, if there is significant intervening use or material improvement of the car by the organization, within 30 days of the contribution.
The organization also must provide this information to the IRS.
These rules do not apply to donations of inventory. For example, these rules do not apply if you are a car dealer who donates a car you had been holding for sale to customers.
More information about donating a vehicle can be found in the 2005 revision of IRS Publication 526, entitled "Charitable Contributions."
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