Donate Your Car In California
Tags: Car, Donate, Charity, Tax Deductions, California

Most California residents know it is easy to love the warm weather, beautiful coastline, and natural resources of this incredible area. Here’s more good news about living in the Golden State: making charitable Car Donations in California is easy.

Giving Center would like you to know that whether you are thinking about making a car donation, truck donation, boat donation, motorcycle donation, RV donation, or jet ski donation, your unwanted vehicle can be a huge resource to local California communities. No matter if you live on the Pacific coast or near the Redwood forests, consider a California vehicle donation picked up. With the many great charities in California, a car donation can often be towed away at no cost to you!

Donating a vehicle to charity is an unselfish act. Many charities, like Giving Center, will gladly welcome this type of donation and praise car owners for their generosity.

When donating a vehicle in California, donors must follow a list of DMV requirements that are mandatory.

Steps for a California car donation

So, you have lost interest in driving your vehicle and decide to donate to a worthy charity. Obviously, the first thing you will need to do is to find a reputable charity that accepts the donation of your vehicle. Do your homework and make sure you pick one whose charitable mission you can stand behind.

After that, you will need to calculate the average market value of your car. This will help you file taxes later. Make sure to come up with a fair value, as you may need to prove this if the IRS decides to take a look into it.

You might need to visit the DMV to handle this procedure as with any other type of transfer that involves selling/buying or even gifting a vehicle.

Here’s a break down of the steps you need to complete before donating a vehicle:

Find a charity.

Follow the IRS requirements for car donations.

Fulfill the CA DMV requirements.

Cancel your auto insurance immediately.

Transferring your car title in California

A vehicle title is proof of ownership. Title transfers also include donations, the process is very similar to when gifting a vehicle but there are some areas that require careful attention.

As an example, car donors must submit an updated smog certification which is dated within 90 days. At the same time, car donors may get a tax deduction depending on the charity they give their car to.

Here are some steps you will need to follow in order to complete your vehicle title transfer for car donations in California:

Complete and sign your car title.

Report odometer mileage reading, if your vehicle is less than 10 years old.

Fill in a Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (REG 262), this is only available at the CA DMV.

The legal representative of the charity (recipient) signs the vehicle title.

Complete a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability form (REG 138), this must be submitted within 5 days after the date of transfer.

Once you complete these CA DMV steps, the donation process is officially over and you do not have to worry about any future hassles.

Are car donations made in California tax-deductible?

Vehicles donated to any California nonprofits classified with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, such as Giving Center, are tax-deductible.

What paperwork is needed to donate a vehicle in California?

Charities will need the title for the donated vehicle. If you do not have the title, you can still donate your car in California by completing the following forms: REG 227 and REG 262. You may get both of these from your local DMV. You must sign both forms as the seller.

How should I sign my California title when donating my vehicle?

Begin with completing Line 1, on the front of the title. Don’t sign on the back. All owners must sign the title if there are multiple owners joined by “and” or with “JTRS” following their names.

The odometer disclosure statement is required to be completed on all vehicles which are 10 years old or less.

Do I remove my California license plates before my car donation is picked up?

In the state of California, the license plates remain with the vehicle.

How do I release the liability of my donated vehicle in California?

The California DMV requires the donor to mail in the “Release of Liability” form that is attached to your title on the day that the car donation is processed and the vehicle is picked up by our agent. If you do not have a “Release of Liability” form, you can download one from the California Department of Motor Vehicles website.

Visit Giving Center online now to find out more ways to give back!