So, you’ve decided to donate your automobile and receive a tax deduction? As licensed car appraisers, we designed this website to make donating your car easy by providing you with a Qualified Auto Appraisal and IRS Form 8283.

Generally, if the claimed deduction for your vehicle is more than $5,000, you must get an IRS  qualified and compliant donation car appraisal made by a bona-fide auto appraiser. In addition, you must attach an appraisal summary (Section B of Form 8283) to your tax return.

Vehicle Donation Checklist:

• Make sure the recipient is tax exempt as a charity.
• Make sure the title of the vehicle is properly transferred to the recipient and keep a copy of the signed title.
• Take photos of the donated vehicle.
• If the vehicle is worth more than $5,000, get a written professional appraisal.
• Have your appraiser sign IRS Form 8283, you need this when filing your tax returns.

For your vehicle to qualify for a tax deduction, and as indicated in IRS publication P4303  you need a WRITTEN APPRAISAL –  Your written appraisal must be from a qualified appraiser.

The appraisal must be made no more than 60 days before you donate the vehicle. You must receive the appraisal before the due date (including extensions) of the return on which you first claim a deduction for the vehicle.

For a deduction first claimed on an amended return, the appraisal must be received before the date the amended return is filed. When you file your income tax return (Form 1040 or Form 1040X), you will need to complete Section B of Form 8283, and attach it to your return.

If Section B is required and the charity sells or otherwise disposes of a vehicle within three years after the date of receipt, the charity must file Form 8282, Donee Information Return, with the IRS. On Form 8282, the charity reports information identifying the donor and itself, and the amount it received upon sale or other disposition of the vehicle. The charity must provide you with a copy of the form.