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 Mercer Island, Washington has never been easier! Dozens of great charities like St. Jude Children Hospital and The Humane Society are standing by!

Just Want It Gone?

Our Favorite Hassle-Free Charities For Mercer Island, Washington

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 Mercer Island A Great Choice?

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

  • 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!
  • A sense of satisfaction for helping those in need.
  • You can help people in need right here in your community! Check below for our list of local charities near Woodinville.
  • It's not just for cars! Many programs accept motorcycles, RVs, boats, and other types of vehicles!

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 Mercer Island, Washington

1)

American Red Cross

(206) 323-2345 1900 25th Ave S Seattle, WA 98144 3.78 Miles Away
2)

Goodwill Seattle

(206) 860-5711 1400 S Lane St Seattle, WA 98144 4.75 Miles Away
3)

Society of St Vincent de Paul

(206) 767-9975 5972 4th Ave S Seattle, WA 98108 4.90 Miles Away
4)

Habitat for Humanity

(206) 453-2950 560 Naches Ave SW Ste 110 Renton, WA 98057 6.04 Miles Away
5)

Northshore Branch YMCA

(425) 485-9797 11811 NE 195th St Bothell, WA 98011 14.34 Miles Away
6)

The Salvation Army

(360) 373-5550 832 6th St Bremerton, WA 98337 18.91 Miles Away
7)

American Cancer Society Discovery Shop

(360) 613-4139 10600 Silverdale Way Ste E Silverdale, WA 98383 22.45 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.

St. Jude Children Hospital

The mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society's mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer.

The YMCA

To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities.

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.

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.

Habitat For Humanity

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

What To Keep In Mind When Donating A Car In Mercer Island

You should always consult your legal and financial professionals prior to donating a car in Washington 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!

Picking The Right Charity To Receive Your Car

One of the parts that can be challenging for many Mercer Island 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 Mercer Island 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 King 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!

FAQ - Donating A Car In Mercer Island, Washington

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 donate a car owned by a deceased relative?

This will vary by location and charity, but many will let you donate with a copy of the death certificate and signature of the estate's executor.

What makes of vehicle can I donate?

Pretty much everything is accepted, including: Acura, Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler Dodge, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Volkswagen, Toyota, Volvo and more!

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.

Do I have to be home when a donated car is picked up?

Check with the organization you're donating to, but the answer is typically no - as long as all personal items are removed, the car is accessible, and the required documentation is left in the glove compartment.