Boat Donation Better Than Letting it Sit

There are many risks to letting a boat sit unused. During colder weather, freeze damage can occur quickly when boats haven't been properly winterized. Improper winterizing (using space heaters or light bulbs to warm the boat) can also pose serious fire hazards. In fact, many boat fires have been reported as a result.

But this isn't just about the off season. In fact, it's amazing just how much damage no use at all can do no matter the weather. Boat insurers report, for example, that for every boat that sinks while sailing, four go down while sitting in their slip.

Why Boats Sink

Boats sink for varied reasons. One culprit can be leaves. When the scuppers get clogged with leaves, it can prevent water from a simple rainstorm from draining properly and the weight from that will accumulate over time. Rubber on the boat can also dry out and crack, allowing water to seep in. Banging against the dock during windy weather can also lend itself to damage that will add up over time, especially if you're not checking in to notice it.

Donate Your Boat Instead

Boats can be great fun for families or for individuals looking for some peace and quiet. However, if your interests have changed or you just don't have the time, don't let your boat go to waste. Much better that you earn a tax deduction and give your boat to a good cause then letting its value drop while it sits and waits.

Making a boat donation doesn't have to be hard. All you need to do is find an organization that accepts donations of that sort (there are more than you'd think!), verify that they're a non-profit (so that you can be sure your donation will qualify for a tax deduction), and you're on your way.

The best part is that companies that accept boat donations want to make the process as easy for you as possible. Most of them will come pick up your boat within a matter of days, and provide you with all the necessary documentation that you need to get the credit you deserve for your gift.

What are you waiting for? Consider making a donation today. 

How Do You Find Charities That Accept Car Donations?

Donating a car in Wisconsin is something that more and more people are doing. Having started during the mid-1980s, it is now a huge lifeline for many charitable organizations, providing them with a way to finance the vital services that they provide. To encourage more people to make such donations, the government has put measures in place to enable donors to deduct their donation from their income taxes. Naturally, there are some caveats attached to this, but this has further increased the number of people who make donations.

Choosing the Charity

If you are one of the many people with an old vehicle that can be donated you may be wondering how to choose between the charities that accept car donations. Determining this, at its heart, is a personal decision because only you can decide which type of charitable purpose you feel is worthy of your support. However, there are some hints and tips that will make your search for the right charity a lot easier.

Check the Tax Registration

The first thing you must look into is the tax registration of the charity that you are considering. In order for you to be able to deduct the value of your donation from your taxes, it must have been donated to a 501(c)3 registered charity. Most charities will list this on their website, but do also navigate to the IRS website to determine whether they really are.

Check the Efficiency

Another key factor is that you make sure that most of the value of your donation actually goes directly towards funding the services being provided by the organization. This is known as the charity's "efficiency", which is generally expressed as a percentage. This percentage indicates how many cents of every dollar you give actually goes towards providing the services, and not to other expenses, such as management and advertisement. An efficiency rating of at least 85% is recommended. This information can be obtained through various online sources.

Check Whether You Are Dealing with a Broker

The final thing to look into is that you actually donate your vehicle directly to a charity. There are a lot of brokers out there that are happy to handle the donation process for you. However, they are for profit organizations, which means that they get to keep a part of the money raised from the donation. The result is that much less funds go to the charity.

Not Just for Cars: A Boat Donation Counts Too!

Most people have heard about car donations. Who hasn't seen a commercial or billboard promoting the idea, and even offering to come tow away those vehicles that are not drive-able? However, far fewer people realize that boats can be donated, too. Learn more about boat donations by clicking here!

Determining the Value of Your Boat Donation

Determining the value of your boat is a first smart step. Provided the organization to whom you donate your boat is not going to resell it within three years, then one big perk of making this gift is that you'll be able to claim its worth as a tax deduction. (If the boat is going to be resold, you'll only be able to claim its sale price.) Just like with a car donation, this means knowing the boat's fair market value!

Unfortunately, determining the fair market value of a boat donation isn't quite as easy as with a car. The best way is going to be through an appraisal by a certified marine surveyor. Also just like with a car donation, such an appraisal will actually be required if the boat's worth is over $5,000.

Choosing an Organization for Your Gift

A next smart step is deciding to what group you wish to bestow your gift. Watch out for organizations that take in massive amounts of vehicles and boats with a plan of passing them off to resale outlets that sell them at auctions. As mentioned above, this means you'll only be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount for which it is sold, and you won't have any control over how the boat is used beyond that point.

If you're donating to a cause you really care about, you'll also want to make sure that the organization you choose actually uses the donations (or proceeds earned from them) to benefit the cause you believe in. More than one charity has been known to have skewed approaches that benefit the administration more than those in need.

Whatever you decide, careful planning will always work in your favor, so be sure to take the time you need to make a choice you'll feel good about.

Don't Worry, You Can Still Make a Car Donation in Wisconsin

With a new government now in place and the various changes and executive orders that are being implemented, residents of Wisconsin will be happy to know that claiming a tax deduction for donating a car is still possible. Donors will continue to be able to help the less fortunate while also benefiting from a reduction in taxes. So, when you make a car donation to a charitable organization like Rawhide, you will still be able reap the rewards. Meanwhile, the said charity will continue to be assisted with its various services for the youth, such as the Rawhide Boys Ranch.

Charities Accepting Cars as Donations Continue to Operate

Although various elements of the government, including the IRS, continue to be in a deadlock, you can still apply for tax deductions, and you will continue to be able to do so. When working with a charity, donors will find that the organization will make sure that all the paperwork required to claim a deduction is in order. You should receive the receipt very soon after donating your vehicle, so there is no need for you to be stressed about it.

The Importance of the Tax Receipt

To claim a tax deduction donors will be expected to have that paperwork, which is known as a tax receipt. All you need to do is submit this with your tax return, just like always. The IRS has made no changes about the paperwork that they accept.

Yes, there have been some shutdowns in the IRS, which is mainly seen in non-critical departments and in the helplines. However, Wisconsin charities like the one featured at http://www.rawhide.org have reported that the departments that process and accept paperwork are functioning, whether you hand in your tax return physically or electronically.

No Problem with Claiming a Tax Deduction

Remember that while there have been some significant changes in the government, the IRS will continue to exist, and the vast majority of tax laws will remain unchanged as well. Any good car charity will tell you this, and they will continue to provide you with the required and valid tax receipt you need to claim your deduction, just as you did every other year.

Sell, Trade-in, or Donate Car to Charity

You will usually have three main options when you have a vehicle that you no longer need.  You can trade it in, try to sell it, or donate car to charity.

Selling and trading-in

People usually trade-in a vehicle when they are purchasing a different one from a dealership.  The advantage to this is that the value of the trade-in can be applied to the cost of your new vehicle.

Selling your unwanted vehicle can be a pain.  You need to spend money on advertising, clean the vehicle to make it look as appealing as possible, and make time to take strangers on test drives.  There is no way that you can know how long it will take to sell the vehicle, and you will usually get less for it than you expect.

Donate car to charity Green Bay

Possibly the easiest and most satisfying solution when you have an unwanted vehicle is to donate car to charity Green Bay.  Car donation charities Green Bay make the process very simple and straightforward.  There is no haggling – most car donation charities Green Bay will take any vehicle in any condition.  Unlike selling the vehicle yourself, there is no cost to you and very minimal time needed.  All you need to do is to contact the car charity Green Bay and give them some basic information such as your name, address, and what type of vehicle you are donating.  You do not even have to transport the vehicle yourself; car donation charities Green Bay will arrange to have the vehicle towed for you.

One of the biggest perks to giving your vehicle to a car charity Green Bay is the satisfaction of knowing that you have done a good thing.  Charities rely on donations for funding, and for many car donation charities Green Bay, a large portion of those funds come from the sale of donated vehicles.  If that satisfaction isn’t enough of a reward, know that you can also claim your vehicle donation as a deduction on your taxes for the year that you made the donation.  You can learn more about car donation charities Green Bay at http://www.rawhide.org/donate/.

Car Donation and Market Value of Your Vehicle

More and more charitable organizations are accepting all sorts of in-kind donations in recent years.  An in-kind donation simply means that you donate goods or services instead of cash.  An in-kind donation can be a really good way for you to help your community or score a nice tax deduction for yourself, even if you don't have a lot of cash to spend.  One of the most popular in-kind gifts is a car donation.  Donating your used vehicle to a worthy organization can be really attractive because choosing between accepting a very low offer for your vehicle as a trade-in and going through the hassle of selling it privately is definitely a depressing proposition.  If you are considering a car donation, there are a few things you should keep in mind when establishing the fair market value of your vehicle.

Determining the Market Value of Your Charity Car Madison

While there are several factors that will determine the amount of tax deduction for which you might be eligible on your Federal Income Tax Return, it is important to determine the fair market value of your vehicle before considering giving it to any car donation charities Madison.  Here are a few:

• What is the Kelley Blue Book valuation of your vehicle?  The Kelley Blue Book value is generally considered a very good indicator of how much your car or truck is worth.  These values are used by banks when determining whether or not to approve car loans.
• The options that were installed on your car when it was new will help to determine it's fair market value as a used vehicle.  Cars and trucks with luxury option packages will obviously be valued a bit higher than economy models.
• Always document the condition of your vehicle when establishing its value, whether you are selling it or giving it as a donation.  Take photos to show the condition inside and out; and, keep copies of any documents from mechanic shops for regular maintenance and any repairs.

Identify a Charity for Car Donation

Because of the difficulty of selling a used car, and their overall poor valuation for trade-in purposes, more and more people are choosing to donate their used vehicles to charity.  If you are considering a car donation, it is important that you are able to identify legitimate charities.  Donating your car to a government certified charity will not only protect you from exploitation but will also provide you with a car donation tax deduction Madison when you file your next Federal Income Tax return.

Car Donation Charities Madison

In order to be considered a charitable entity, organizations must register with the government and meet a few guidelines in order to qualify:

• All charitable organizations must be eligible for federal tax relief guidelines as defined by the Internal Revenue Service.  This would mean that the organization has "tax exempt" status.  Some individual states place additional regulations on charities.
• The organization must not participate in any political campaigns or support any particular candidate for public office.
• The earnings from the organization must not benefit any specific individual.
• A charitable organization may be a private foundation that obtains most of its funds through a corporation, family or individual.  These organizations are likely to provide grants to outside entities that support the mission of the foundation.  It is unlikely that this type of organization would solicit vehicle donations.  These kinds of charities are sometimes referred to as "non-operating".
• Operating foundations and public charities are more likely to solicit in-kind donations like cars and other vehicles.  They are eligible to receive government as well as private monies.  These organizations may be affiliated with private foundations; but, they are generally most concerned with tax-exempt activities that serve the public good.
• The operating documents of the organization must specify its purpose to be strictly dedicated to charitable activities on a permanent basis.
• Charities that have obtained tax-exempt status are also known as 501 (c)(3) organizations.  This designation refers to the sections of Internal Revenue Service code that allow them to operate without taxation.

Choosing a Charity When You Donate Car

Charities find it very helpful when people choose to donate car, so they make it very easy for you.  All you need to do is contact the charity and give them some basic information about the vehicle, and they will arrange to have it picked up for you.  The only thing that can sometimes be a bit of a challenge is choosing a charity when you want to donate car Green Bay, because there are so many that are willing to accept them.

Donate car Green Bay to worthy cause

The first step in choosing an organization when you want to donate car to Green Bay charity is choosing a cause that is important to you.  When you want to donate a car Green Bay, there are charities that support all sorts of causes, including at-risk youth, education, the environment, animals, the homeless, medical research, and more.  Many people find it satisfying to donate a car Green Bay to a charity that makes a noticeable difference in their own community.  If you personally know someone who has been helped by a charity, that can be a good place to start.

Once you find a charity that will accept your car donation Green Bay and supports a cause that is important to you, it is usually a good idea to do a little research.  You can start with their own website where in addition to information about how to donate car Green Bay, they should also have a clear mission statement.  If you want your car donation Green Bay to make the most impact, you can also make sure that the charity that you choose has been around for a while.  Charities that are well-established are more likely to have the resources to really make a difference.

You can also see what charity rating organizations (like the one found here) have to say about the charity before you donate car Green Bay.  If you want your car donation Green Bay to make the biggest impact, make sure that your chosen charity spends the majority of its funding on its programs.  You can learn more about car donation Green Bay at www.rawhide.org/donations/donate-car-green-bay.

Choosing a Charity When You Donate Car

Charities find it very helpful when people choose to donate car, so they make it very easy for you.  All you need to do is contact the charity and give them some basic information about the vehicle, and they will arrange to have it picked up for you.  The only thing that can sometimes be a bit of a challenge is choosing a charity when you want to donate car Green Bay, because there are so many that are willing to accept them.

Donate car Green Bay to worthy cause

The first step in choosing an organization when you want to donate car to Green Bay charity is choosing a cause that is important to you.  When you want to donate a car Green Bay, there are charities that support all sorts of causes, including at-risk youth, education, the environment, animals, the homeless, medical research, and more.  Many people find it satisfying to donate a car Green Bay to a charity that makes a noticeable difference in their own community.  If you personally know someone who has been helped by a charity, that can be a good place to start.

Once you find a charity that will accept your car donation Green Bay and supports a cause that is important to you, it is usually a good idea to do a little research.  You can start with their own website where in addition to information about how to donate car Green Bay, they should also have a clear mission statement.  If you want your car donation Green Bay to make the most impact, you can also make sure that the charity that you choose has been around for a while.  Charities that are well-established are more likely to have the resources to really make a difference.

You can also see what charity rating organizations (like the one found here) have to say about the charity before you donate car Green Bay.  If you want your car donation Green Bay to make the biggest impact, make sure that your chosen charity spends the majority of its funding on its programs.  You can learn more about car donation Green Bay at www.rawhide.org/donations/donate-car-green-bay.

Car Donations and Other Ways to Help Your Community

Do you wish you could do something to help better your community but feel as though you don't have much to give? Luckily, there are many ways you can do this, not all of which require monetary sacrifice.

Ways to Help the Community

• Volunteer to teach a class at a local community center.
• Start a collection for those who have experienced tragedy.
• Clean up trash around your neighborhood or local park.
• Visit nursing homes and help cheer up those residing there.
• Get a group together and visit the elderly at their homes with holiday carols.
• Shovel the driveway or mow the lawn for an elderly neighbor.
• Organize a food drive to donate to a local food bank.
• Volunteer your time at a soup kitchen.
• Create little "goodie bags" with things like snacks to hand out to the homeless.
• Volunteer at your local animal shelter.
• Take your pet to visit a nursing home or hospital patients.
• Organize a collection of supplies to benefit a local animal shelter.
• Adopt a pet in need.
• Plant a neighborhood garden and share the benefits with your neighbors.
• Take trash to local recycling bins.
• Donate clothes to a homeless shelter or a collection box.
• Donate books to your local library or schools.
• Volunteer to tutor kids who could not afford it otherwise.
• Volunteer to help with activities for kids with special needs.
• Volunteer to help build houses for those in need.
• Volunteer to help with disaster relief, even branching out to help other parts of the country or even the world.
• Make car donations. Car donations Madison can benefit a variety of people in many different ways.

As you can see, donations do not always have to be financial. If you have time and a willingness to help, there are plenty of things you can do. There are so many charities out there that are doing their best to make a difference, but many of these charities cannot make such a difference without the help of volunteers like you. Pick a charity that really means something to you and reach out them. It is not likely that your help or contribution will be turned away. If you are ready to go, check out what Rawhide does and how you may be able to help them in their mission!