Saturday, December 31, 2016

Car Donations Made Easy

Making Car Donations Count

Car Donations Made Easy
Even though your old car may not be desirable any longer in your eyes, just because it’s outdated, has some rust or is getting up there in miles doesn’t mean that others feel the same way. Many charities accept car donations in order to give the organizations a financial boost and the members of the community an opportunity to own a vehicle for a fraction of the cost of buying it new. If you have an older car or truck that you are no longer driving and can’t think of anything to do with it, consider making a donation to a charity in the form of this vehicle. Even though it is a slightly different type of donation than most people initially think about, it is just as useful.

Why Making Car Donations Are Important

Car donations charities Madison are especially needy as the changing weather conditions in the area make it impossible to rely on public transportation or being able to walk between places. Many individuals have licenses and want to drive, but cannot afford to purchase a brand new or even a used vehicle. The cars and trucks that are donated to organizations are often improved in minor ways and then auctioned off at lower costs; it’s a win/win situation!
Giving the gift of car donations is something that impacts the organization that receives them as well as the community. More people on the roads means that people have access to vehicles in order to commute to work, school and simply running errands; they are no longer limited to things that they can take public transportation to get to, and this means making life changes and improvements. Think about parents that do not own vehicles - their children may miss out on opportunities like playing sports, joining clubs or even visiting family and friends simply because they have no way of getting there. Parents cannot rush to pick up sick children, they cannot travel longer distances for good jobs; these vehicles at a lower than typical cost are often the beginning of a turnaround in life, making it possible to jump on opportunities when they are offered.

Charities that accept car donations Madison can be found by doing a little research online (http://www.rawhide.org/), speaking to others within the community, and figuring out which organizations will do the most good with the donated vehicle. After doing these things, you’ll be able to make your car donations and feel good about helping to give back to the people on the community who simply need a little extra help.

Looking to Donate Car?

Donate Car: The First Steps

Looking to Donate Car?
After coming to the decision that you’re going to make the most out of your old car or truck by choosing to donate it to charity, you’ll need to decide a few other things before the donation process can be completed. To start with, you’ll need to choose a charity to donate car to, when you will make the donation, how the donation will be completed and whether you’ll use the vehicle to file for a donate car tax deduction Madison. This may sound like a lot to deal with, but helpful representatives from these organizations will be more than happy to help donors go through the process, especially if they haven’t ever made a similar donation before.

All charities are in need of donations as large and financially meaningful as vehicles, so you’ll need to think carefully about the one you want to help out. This may be as simple as choosing one that you have a lot of knowledge about, or simply picking a convenient one; it doesn’t have to be a popular one or one that has national success or exposure.
After choosing your charity of choice, you’ll make the first contact. This can be done online, over the phone or in person. If you’re filling out the information online, much of the donation process can be done in one sitting; you’ll just need to get the paperwork for the vehicle together and schedule the time for the pick up or drop off of the car at a later time.

The Final Steps to Take During the Donate Car Process

Once the donate car process and time frame has been established, you’ll be able to prepare the vehicle and get ready for the actual donation day. Cleaning out your personal belongings, giving the interior of the car a once over to ensure that it isn’t destroyed or overly dirty and even hosing off the exterior are recommended; these aren’t mandatory, but why not take a few extra minutes to ensure that the vehicle is presentable for donation?

When you meet with the donate car Madison representatives, you’ll sign over the title, hand over the keys and say goodbye to your trusty car or truck. Maybe parting ways is due to the purchase of a new car, maybe it’s because you have no use for a car anymore, or maybe you’re in charge of handling an inherited vehicle - whatever the reason behind the donation, know that it is much appreciated by the organization that you’re handing it over to.

Friday, December 30, 2016

How Much Money Do You Get From a Car Donation?

How Much Money Do You Get From a Car Donation?

If you make a car donation to a charity in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, you can make some significant tax savings. The car donation tax deduction Milwaukee donors can make is only possible, however, if they include it in their charitable contribution deduction, which in turn can only be done if the charity is 501(c)3 registered. It is very important that you plan ahead, so that you can maximize your deduction. The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) wants you to use one of two methods to calculate how much you can get back, which depends on what the charity does with the vehicle.

A car donation Milwaukee charity can sell the vehicle, in which case you can make a deduction based on the actual selling price. Alternatively, the charity can actually use the vehicle for other purposes, in which case the fair market value of the vehicle can be deducted.

The Car Donation Tax Deduction Milwaukee Process

Getting the highest deduction from your car donation charity Milwaukee efforts is down to four steps:

Step 1 - Find out if the charity sold the vehicle and, if so, for how much.

A good charity will provide you with a tax receipt within 30 days of you making the donation.

Step 2 - Determine the fair market value of the vehicle.

You do this if the charity uses rather than sells the car. You could, for instance, check the Kelley Blue Book for this.

Step 3 - Make your deduction by completing line 17 of Schedule A.

This does mean that you have to itemize your tax deductions, and that all your eligible deductible expenses exceed the amount that is allowed as a standard deduction under the rules of Schedule A.

Step 4 - Complete Form 8283 if required.

If the vehicle was sold for, or is valued at, less than $500, you do not need to do this. If the value is between $501 and $5,000, you must complete Form 8283 Section A. If the value of the vehicle is $5,001 or more, you must complete Form 8283 Section B. You also have to provide proof of a written appraisal in this case.

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Car Donations

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Car Donations

When you make car donations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, you can create a really good deal, both for the charity and yourself. The different car donation charities Milwaukee residents can go to may keep your vehicle to use it, they may donate it to a service user, or they may sell it and use the proceeds to further their cause. Furthermore, they have made the procedure of making a donation very easy, and it also means that you may be eligible for a tax deduction. However, you have to do this right so that the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) will not question whether you can make a deduction. Let's take a look at how you can do that.

Work with Charities that Accept Car Donations Milwaukee Residents Can Trust

The first thing you have to do is find car donations Milwaukee charities that are qualified. This means that they are IRS tax exempt, which you can see through their 501(c)3 registered status.

Secondly, you need to know what is the estimated value of your vehicle. Most car donation charities Milwaukee donors can go to will sell the car and provide you with a tax receipt to prove what they sold it for, but it is important to also know this for yourself. Plus, if they don't sell it but use it for other things instead, you need to know the fair market value (check the Kelley Blue Book for this) to make your donation.

Next, the charities that accept car donations Milwaukee residents can go to, in different ways. Some will sell it, some will keep it to deliver their services, others will donate the vehicle to their service users. A charity like rawhide.org, for instance, will always sell it, although they may first train their service users by letting them perform repairs on the vehicle, thereby increasing its value as well.

Last but not least, you need to get the relevant documentation from the charity to make your deduction. Specifically, they should send you Form 1098-C. This will include your Social Security Number, your name, the vehicle identification number, the date you made your donation, and what the value or selling price was.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Should You Consider a Vehicle Donation Instead of Selling Your Car?

Should You Consider a Vehicle Donation Instead of Selling Your Car?

If you are ready to get rid of your existing car in Green Bay, Wisconsin, you may want to consider making a vehicle donation to a local charity. Of course, you could also opt to sell it and keep the money yourself. When you work with a vehicle donation Green Bay charity it does mean that you will not get any cash in your hands and it could lead you to think that charitable donations are not the way forward. However, there are some advantages that you might want to consider.

When You Donate a Vehicle Green Bay Charities Offer Significant Benefits

First of all, when you donate a vehicle to charity Green Bay residents who are less fortunate benefit from it, which is perhaps not something you can measure in monetary value, but that is important nonetheless. Not just that, but selling a vehicle is a long and tedious process. You have to advertise it, speak to sellers, go to dealers, deal with time wasters, negotiate the price, and so on. Plus, if you want to sell your car rather than work with vehicle donation Green Bay facilities, you may also have to fix and repair your car first. Without that, you will get a lot less interest, and the price will drop significantly as well.

You Can Avoid the Hassle of Vehicle Repairs

If you find that your vehicle will cost more to repair than what you would get back for it, you may want to consider donate a vehicle Green Bay options instead. There are lots of different charities that you could consider, including the one found at http://www.rawhide.org, who may sell your car to run their service, or even have service users repair it first to build employable skills, before selling it for more.

Donating a Vehicle Has Been Made Easy

When you donate a vehicle to charity Green Bay has made sure that the entire process is very easy and painless. Your car will be picked up for you (although you could drop it off, thereby reducing the costs to the charity), after which it will be sold in some way or another. The charity will then send you a tax receipt, which means you can even have your income tax reduced. So no, you won't get cash in hand, but you will still be financially better off at the end of it.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

How to Choose the Best Boat Donation Program

How to Choose the Best Boat Donation Program
If you have a boat that you no longer want or need, you may be wondering how best to get rid of it. While you could take the time to try to sell your boat, you may find it easier to donate it to a charity in need.

Choosing the Best Boat Donation Program

While there are many worthwhile charities out there, you have to be careful about which one you choose to donate to. Keep the following in mind as you choose which boat donation program Wisconsin to donate to.
  • Make sure that the charity you choose is a legit charity. This means that you should be able to find plenty of information about it. You should also be able to contact the charity, and that charity should be more than happy to provide you with any necessary information. If the charity is not forthcoming with information, you should be wary.
  • Find out how much the charity of your choosing uses the proceeds from your donation toward its actual programs. A majority of the proceeds should be used for the programs, rather than administrative costs. For example, Rawhide uses 83% of its donations for its youth programs, and only 10% for administration and management costs.
  • Choose a charity that means something to you. While this may not seem as important, you will likely feel even better about your deed knowing that you helped a cause you care about.
  • If you are looking to get a tax deduction from your donation, be sure to choose a charity that is 501 (c)(3) certified. If you do not, you will still be helping a charity in need, but you may not be financially rewarded for it.
  • If you do not have the means to transport the boat to the charity itself, choose a charity that allows you to arrange for a free pickup of your boat.
The most difficult part of the donation process should be choosing the best charity to donate to. If you choose the right charity, the actual donation process should be a breeze. If you are unsure as to where to begin your search, start here.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Tax Considerations When You Donate a Vehicle

Tax Considerations When You Donate a Vehicle

When you donate an automobile in Green Bay, Wisconsin, you essentially get rid of a car you no longer want to help a charity. When you donate a vehicle Green Bay IRS officials allow you to make a tax deduction. Some say, therefore, that people who donate a vehicle have essentially found some kind of a tax shelter. However, it is important to understand that many charities actually rely on the funds they get from these donations.

Finding Donate a Vehicle to Charity Green Bay Facilities

Donating a car is supposed to be a very easy process. However, in order to be eligible for a donate a vehicle tax deduction Green Bay residents must meet certain requirements. The most important one is that you get a tax receipt from the donate used vehicle Green Bay charity. Additionally, you have to itemize your tax return.

When they donate a vehicle Green Bay residents can also benefit from advice from the IRS:

- The American Job Creation Act of 2004 changed how much someone can deduct if the vehicle is worth more than $500. This means that when they donate a vehicle to charity Green Bay residents will only be allowed to deduct the actual sale value of the car, and not the fair market value or the Kelley Blue Book listing.

- If the vehicle's value is over $500, a tax receipt issued by the charity itself is needed to claim a donate a vehicle tax deduction Green Bay residents are advised.

Donate Used Vehicle Green Bay Practices

To donate used vehicle Green Bay residents have a range of choices among the different types of charitable organizations. Not all of them have been created equally, however. If you are considering making a donation, therefore, you must make sure that the charity is properly registered, and particularly that it is 501(c)3 registered, just like the organization at http://www.rawhide.org/, for instance. This registration means that the charity will actually benefit a cause, and not use the money to influence or lobby government. Do also make sure that you look into the charity's efficiency, which means you know just how much of your donation actually goes to funding the organization's services.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Two of the Biggest Misconceptions People Have About Donating Boats

Two of the Biggest Misconceptions People Have About Donating Boats
Compared to car donations, which are becoming increasingly popular, boat donations in Wisconsin are relatively new. However, they work exactly the same way, and this means that the misconceptions about car donations have transferred over to donating boats Wisconsin residents are finding out. Naturally, it is important to always remember to check the different options that are available to you before proceeding with donating boats. However, these should not be a hindrance to making charitable donations.

One of the reasons why there are misconceptions is because people simply do not know what the rules are, and how to recognize a good charity. When considering the possibility of donating boats to charity Wisconsin residents may be informed by some people that boats cannot be accepted as donations. While there are many myths and misconceptions out there, the following two stand out the most.

1. Selling a Boat Is Smarter than Donating It

This isn't entirely false nor entirely true. It all depends on the value of the boat. You have to remember that, while you wait for your boat to sell, you may have to repair it. You definitely will have to store it and maintain it, which will all cost money. Furthermore, there is a chance that there will be a number of people who will simply look at it but do not intend to buy. This will be a waste of time on the seller's part. That said, if the boat is worth a lot of money, then this is worth doing.

On the other hand, in the act of donating boats for tax deduction Wisconsin resident will find it to be worthwhile if it is estimated that the deduction will be substantial enough. Furthermore, you can't put a value on making someone else's life better.

2. Donating a Boat Is Only Possible If It Is Still Functioning

Another common misconception is that only running boats will be accepted when donating boats to charity Wisconsin nonprofits. This is simply not true. The boat will be sold at auction, and it will be worth something regardless of its condition. Thus, when donating boats for tax deduction Wisconsin residents will only be required to show a tax receipt for the final sale price. If you were to donate to the charitable organization found at http://www.rawhide.org, for instance, they will make the entire process really easy for you, even going so far as to pick up the boat from where it is located.

Hopefully, this will have increased your understanding of the process of donating a boat in Wisconsin.

A Vehicle Donation in Green Bay Is the Perfect Way to Give Back This Holiday Season

A Vehicle Donation in Green Bay Is the Perfect Way to Give Back This Holiday Season

The holiday season always inspires people to get into the spirit of giving. One of the ways in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to give and make a real impact in the lives of others this season is by making a vehicle donation. When you donate a vehicle Green Bay charities are able to use those funds to improve the lives of people who are in need.

Whether you have a car or a boat, donating it can support vehicle donation Green Bay programs to help those who are less fortunate. Making a donation is quick and easy, and the impact you can make on the lives of others is huge and positive. Why not celebrate the holiday season and donate a vehicle Green Bay charities can use to boost their services?

A Fantastic Gift that Keeps on Giving

Various vehicle donation Green Bay charities do different things with the donations. However, a charity like the one found at http://www.rawhide.org will sell the vehicle and use the proceeds to further develop their vital services, including education and other resources for young people in need. In so doing, they also ensure that the Green Bay community as a whole becomes more functional, vibrant, productive, healthy, and happy.

Donate a Vehicle Green Bay Charities Are Not Picky

You don't have to have an excellent running family vehicle to qualify for a donation. When you want to donate a vehicle to charity Green Bay nonprofits will accept anything, from perfectly functioning riding lawnmowers, to RVs that are falling apart. The vehicle will be towed away, so it doesn't have to be running at all.

When They Donate a Vehicle to Charity Green Bay Donors Also Benefit

There are many benefits to making a donation like this, including:

- The vehicle will be picked up for free.
- You free up space.
- You save costs on maintenance, storage, and insurance.
- You can make a tax deduction.
- You get to experience the joys of a philanthropic act.
This year, why not consider giving back to the Green Bay community by donating your unwanted vehicle? All you need to do is get in touch with your chosen charity online or over the telephone to get the ball rolling and make a difference.