Cars Helping KidsFainting Goat Foundation · EIN 99-0472123Donate a vehicle

Vehicle donation checklist.

Use this before transferring a title or releasing a vehicle. It separates organization verification, vehicle preparation, pickup documentation, state responsibilities, and federal tax records so important steps do not get lost.

This checklist is general educational information, not legal or tax advice. State ownership rules and the facts of the donation control. Ask the recipient for case-specific instructions, use current motor-vehicle agency guidance, and consult a qualified adviser about your return.

1. Verify the recipient

  • Write down the recipient's exact legal name and EIN—not only a public-facing program or advertising name.
  • Search the legal name or EIN in the IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search.
  • Confirm who will appear as the recipient on the title, acknowledgement, and any Form 1098-C.
  • Check independent records and distinguish “Not Rated” from an actual positive charity rating.
  • Ask about towing, auction, title, processing, and other costs. Do not rely on an unsupported fixed percentage.

2. Gather ownership and vehicle details

  • Locate the title or identify the current state of title, titled owner or owners, title number, and VIN.
  • Confirm whether a lender or other lienholder still appears on the title and obtain a lien release when required.
  • For an estate, trust, business, joint ownership, divorce, or power-of-attorney situation, identify who has legal authority to transfer the vehicle.
  • Record year, make, model, mileage, running condition, visible damage, key availability, wheel/tire condition, and exact location.
  • Photograph the vehicle and access route when condition, size, storage, damage, or loading may affect transport.

3. Confirm acceptance and pickup instructions

  • Wait for explicit acceptance. A web form submission alone does not transfer ownership or guarantee pickup.
  • Confirm the name and phone number of the transport or towing partner that will contact you.
  • Ask exactly where each owner signs. Never sign a blank title or guess at an assignment field.
  • Confirm the instructions for keys, plates, registration documents, gate codes, property access, and unattended pickup.
  • Confirm whether pickup is offered at no charge and whether any circumstance could create a donor charge.

4. Document the handoff

  • Remove personal property, electronic toll tags, garage remotes, documents, and saved navigation or phone data.
  • Photograph the vehicle, odometer, signed transfer section, and pickup condition before release.
  • Record the pickup date, driver's or company's name, truck information, and the vehicle's destination if provided.
  • Keep a copy or photograph of every signed title, power of attorney, bill of sale, acknowledgement, and pickup receipt.
  • Keep the donation reference number and recipient contact details somewhere outside the vehicle.

5. Complete state and insurance steps

  • Follow the motor-vehicle agency's current seller or transfer notification procedure for the state that issued the title.
  • Handle plates according to state law; do not assume the plate stays with the vehicle.
  • Ask the insurer when coverage should end. Avoid cancelling before ownership and pickup responsibilities are clear.
  • Save confirmation of any release-of-liability, registration cancellation, plate cancellation, or insurance change.
Georgia owners: Georgia DOR publishes specific seller/buyer responsibilities and instructs owners about title transfer and registration cancellation. Use the current Georgia DOR responsibilities page and the case-specific instructions you receive.

6. Keep federal tax records

  • Keep the contemporaneous written acknowledgement and verify that it contains the information required for the disposition.
  • For a qualified vehicle contribution above $500, review the current Form 1098-C rules and timing.
  • Use the current Form 8283 instructions when total claimed noncash contributions exceed the applicable threshold.
  • Do not assume a guidebook value is deductible. Gross-proceeds limits and narrow fair-market-value exceptions may apply.
  • Remember that a federal charitable deduction generally requires itemizing and depends on the donor's return.

Primary sources

For a fuller explanation, read the Cars Helping Kids tax guide and Form 1098-C guide.

Request a donation review

Cars Helping Kids reviews vehicle-donation requests across the United States. Acceptance depends on ownership, condition, access, location, and available service routes.

Start the request