Donating Your Car To Charity Is Easy As 1...2...3!

Step 1
Call or go online to describe the vehicle and arrange a pickup. Takes less than 5 minutes!

Step 2
You car is towed for free, at the time of your choosing. It doesn't matter if it runs or not!

Step 3
You receive a receipt for a deductable donation, and you help a good cause!

Donating your car in Martinez, California has never been easier! Dozens of great charities like Salvation Army and American Cancer Society are standing by!

Just Want It Gone?

Our Favorite Hassle-Free Charities For Martinez, California

The Wounded Warrior Project
Call or go online to describe the vehicle and arrange a pickup. Takes less than 5 minutes!

Matching Donors (Organ Donation)
You car is towed for free, at the time of your choosing. It doesn't matter if it runs or not!

Why Is Donating Your Vehicle In Martinez A Great Choice?

There are so many reasons residents of Martinez should consider donating their used or junk cars to a registered charitable organization. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • No cost to you! Your car is picked up and towed at no cost no matter the condition!
  • Avoid long lines at the DMV! Most organizations will take care of the paperwork on your behalf!
  • Help change the world! We don't all have the time and money to contribute to causes we care about, but this can be a great option for Washington residents!
  • It's simple! Usually far easier than selling it.
  • Choose who benefits! Whether your cause is Animals, Veterans, Medical Research, the Environment, there's a non-profit for you!

Make a difference for a cause you care about, get rid of your old junker, and get a juicy tax write-off!

Suggested Local Charities Near Martinez, California

1)

Goodwill

(925) 676-7217 1699 Contra Costa Blvd Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 4.32 Miles Away
2)

American Red Cross

(800) 733-2767 140 Gregory Ln Ste 120 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 4.48 Miles Away
3)

St Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

(925) 934-5063 2815 Contra Costa Blvd Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 5.02 Miles Away
4)

Habitat for Humanity ReStore - Concord

(925) 826-5465 1500 Monument Blvd Concord, CA 94520 5.11 Miles Away
5)

American Cancer Society Offices

(925) 934-7640 101 Ygnacio Rd Ste 101 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 7.00 Miles Away
6)

Downtown Berkeley Branch YMCA

(510) 848-9622 2001 Allston Way Berkeley, CA 94704 12.25 Miles Away
7)

Salvation Army Berkely

(510) 549-3219 1535 University Ave Berkeley, CA 94703 12.61 Miles Away
8)

Rotary Club of Oakland

(510) 451-2120 1736 Franklin St Ste 200 Oakland, CA 94612 15.61 Miles Away

National Charities

Charities near you aren't the only way to make a difference! Some of the most impactful organizations operate at the national (or international) level.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Americares

To prevent disease and promote good health in vulnerable communities, Americares supports, designs and implements disease prevention and health education efforts that connect local clinics and hospitals with the communities they serve.

Volunteers of America

Volunteers of America is a movement organized to reach and uplift all people and bring them to the knowledge and active service of God.

Rotary International

The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

Heritage For The Blind

The mission of Heritage For The Blind is to assist in providing the tools necessary to help the blind and visually impaired independently explore and participate fully in society.

Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

PBS is a membership organization that, in partnership with its member stations, serves the American public with programming and services of the highest quality, using media to educate, inspire, entertain and express a diversity of perspectives.

Picking The Right Charity To Receive Your Car

One of the parts that can be challenging for many Martinez residents is choosing the perfect charity to donate their vehicle to. There are a ton of great eligible organizations, so many that it can be a little overwhelming. Here's our recommended approach:

Make Sure It's An Eligible Non-Profit

This is technically the last step, but it's so important we're putting it first. If the tax write-off is important to you, make sure that you've chosen an eligible 501(c)(3) entity. There's a number you can call to verify this with the IRS at 1-877-829-5500.

Choose: Local Or National

One of the first decision points we recommend that you consider is whether the charity you want to donate to is local or national. Some people love the idea of helping folks right in their town or county, but some popular charities operate on a more national or global scale. Even most local charities in Martinez or the surrounding areas have a national parent organization, so this is more important for people who really want to make sure the local community benefits. There's a list of nearby options provided above, but there are likely many more including theatre groups, food banks, and other great options you can find with a bit of effort!

Choose: Pick A Broad Cause

What do you care most about in the world? Is it animals? The environment? Veterans? Cancer or other Healthcare research? Choosing a broad category of beneficiary is a great way to start to narrow it down. No matter what you're thing, there's bound to be 1 or more organizations to choose from! This is one of the best ways to narrow the list down from every charity in the world to a handful of ones that you can research more closely.

Research: Charity Efficiency

Not all charities are created (and managed) equally. Some will allow more of your donation to reach the people or causes you care about than others, which may spend more on operational overhead, etc. There are a number of online resources that "grade" popular charities, and we recommend consulting one of them before you make the final call.

Listen To Your Heart!

At the end of the day, when donating a car in Contra Costa County you should be able to feel good about the choice you've made. After all, you could just sell it and pocket the cash. You've chosen to contribute to something larger than yourself, so make sure whatever you choose is something your heart says is right!

What To Keep In Mind When Donating A Car In Martinez

You should always consult your legal and financial professionals prior to donating a car in California to make ensure you're eligible for tax deductions, etc. Here are some common things to keep in mind and consult with them about:

Tax Itemization

To be eligible for tax deductions on your federal returns, you typically need to itemize your deductions. Recent changes to the federal tax code give a larger standard deduction, so fewer people are itemizing these days. Check with your tax preparer to see if you'll be eligible or not. You can also consult with them about any benefits if you file State taxes.

Charity Eligibility and Efficiency

Only donations to a registered 501(c)(3) are eligible for the tax benefits you're expecting. Be sure to carefully research the organization prior to donating to ensure they fall into this category. You should also verify that the charity has a good overall grade, to make sure that most of your contribution will go towards the cause you've selected.

Vehicle Valuation and Deduction Amount

Knowing what to expect if you are eligible for the deduction is another thing to keep in mind. Just because the fair market price for your vehicle is $2000, doesn't necessarily mean you can deduct that much. If they wind up selling the vehicle for less than market value (as is common), you'll only be eligible to deduct that amount. Once again, consult your registered tax professional prior to any action on your part.

Proper Transfer Of Ownership

Another thing to be careful about is the paperwork for the transfer of the vehicle. If the charity asks you to leave the assignment of ownership space on the charity donation papers blank, refuse and consider finding another organization. If they fail to transfer the title, you'll remain liable for any parking tickets, or other subsequent problems with the vehicle. Be sure to consult your legal advisor, prior to any donation to ensure you're covered!

FAQ - Donating A Car In Martinez, California

How much can I deduct for donating a car?

This depends on a lot of factors and you should consult a tax professional for a definitive answer. In general, you'll be able to deduct the amount the charity sells the vehicle for or in some cases the fair market value.

What happens to my car after I donate it?

Most frequently, charities will sell the vehicle or use it for employees after adding value to it (minor repairs, cleaning, etc). Cars that can't be repaired are sold for parts.

Can I get a tax deduction for donating my car to any organization?

No. The organization must be recognized as a non-profit by the IRS (a 501(c)(3) business entity). Be sure to do your own research on any organization you plan to donate to before taking action (including any on our list).

Am I guaranteed a tax deduction?

There are specific requirements for both the organization being donated to and your own tax filing situation. Check with your tax preparer for information specific to your circumstances.

Does it cost anything to donate my car?

The answer is almost always no, and if the organization wants you to pay any sort of fee directly to them you should be very cautious!