Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of donating my car to KCRW?

It's easy, free, and secure! We convert vehicles into cash, which becomes a welcome donation to KCRW. Your gift may be tax deductible, and you can avoid the cost and hassle of repairing or selling a car you no longer want.

What types of vehicles do you accept?

All vehicles are considered. We do our best to accept all types of donated vehicles — running or not — including cars, trucks, trailers, boats, RVs, motorcycles, campers, off-road vehicles, planes, heavy equipment, farm machinery, and more. To find out if we can accept your vehicle, please complete our secure online vehicle donation form or call us toll-free at 888-KCRW-CAR (888-527-9227) during regular hours of operation.

Do I need a smog certificate or a safety inspection to donate my vehicle?

No. Even in states that typically require a smog certificate or safety inspection, you can still donate your vehicle without needing either!

My car doesn't run or hasn't been used in years. Can I still donate it?

Yes! We can accept most vehicles, whether they are running or not. However, the vehicle must be in one piece, be towable, and have an engine. Your vehicle will also need to be accessible by a tow truck. To find out if we can accept your vehicle, please complete our secure online vehicle donation form or call us toll-free 888-KCRW-CAR (888-527-9227) seven days a week during regular hours of operation.

Can you pick up vehicles in all 50 states?

Yes! Our vehicle donation program can provide quick and convenient vehicle pick-up and towing just about anywhere in all 50 states. We provide vehicle donation processing in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia without limitation. In Alaska, we service the Fairbanks and Anchorage areas with a 50-mile service radius. In Hawaii, we service the island of Oahu and the island of Hawaii. If you are outside of California and have questions about donating to KCRW, please contact us via our secure online vehicle donation form or call us toll-free at 888-KCRW-CAR (888-527-9227) seven days a week during regular hours of operation.

How will my vehicle be picked up?

Once you have provided us with all the necessary information via the online vehicle donation form or over the phone with one of our Vehicle Donor Support Representatives, we will arrange to have a licensed tow company pick up your vehicle at a time convenient for you. The vehicle will be picked up and taken to one of our many sale locations — all at no cost to you.

How quickly can I have my vehicle picked up?

In many cases, once the donation record has been created, we can schedule the vehicle to be picked up on the initial call. In other cases, we will contact you within two to three business days to schedule a convenient appointment time with one of our preferred towing vendors. If you need your car picked up sooner, please inform one of our Vehicle Donor Support Representatives during your initial call. We will do our best to accommodate your time frame. For more specific information about your vehicle donation, please call us at 888-KCRW-CAR (888-527-9227) during regular hours of operation.

What do you do with donated vehicles?

Donated vehicles are sold through the used car markets and provide crucial funding for KCRW's programs. We work with an extensive network of nationwide and independent vendors to sell the vehicle and maximize donation proceeds. We regularly analyze vendor pricing and performance to improve the process, ensure the best possible return for KCRW, and maximize the donor's tax benefit. For unique or specialty items that have been donated, we may use other means to sell the vehicle to help ensure the maximum funds are received for each donation.

How long is the entire process from the pickup to when KCRW receives its funds?

We have multiple sales outlets and work hard to find the best buyer for each vehicle. The entire sale process may take four to 12 weeks. The net cash proceeds from your generous vehicle donation are sent to KCRW within five business days of receiving the sale proceeds from CARS' auction or direct buyer providers.

Will I be notified when it sells?

Yes. Once your vehicle sells, we will email or mail a thank-you letter on behalf of KCRW, which serves as a tax receipt. Please note that if your vehicle sells for more than $500 and your tax identification number has been provided, an IRS Form 1098-C, "Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes," will be mailed to you within 30 days of the sale stating the amount of gross proceeds received from your donation.

Who operates the KCRW Vehicle Donation Program?

CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) runs the KCRW Vehicle Donation Program. CARS is an ISO 9001 certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Diego that operates under the governance of an independent board of directors and specializes in vehicle donation services for other nonprofits. CARS follows governmental compliance with all IRS and state regulations concerning vehicle donation programs, fundraising registrations, and charitable receipting requirements throughout all 50 states and Canada. CARS has also maintained an A+ Better Business Bureau rating for over ten years.

Is my vehicle donation tax-deductible?

Yes! Vehicle donations are tax-deductible when donated to a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Individual tax situations vary. Please consult your tax advisor or refer to IRS Publication 4303 for specific tax-related questions.

How is the value determined on the vehicle donated?

Most vehicles are sold through local wholesale auctions, and we work to get the highest return per vehicle for you and KCRW. According to the IRS Guidelines, you may claim fair market value for your donation up to the actual sale value. If your vehicle is sold for more than $500, the maximum amount of your deduction will be the vehicle's sales price, which will be listed on your IRS Form 1098-C. A special rule may apply if the donated vehicle sells for $500 or less. In this case, a deduction for the lesser of the vehicle's fair market value on the date of the contribution may be claimed, or $500, provided you have written acknowledgment (i.e., the initial donation receipt or the thank-you letter you receive once the donation process is complete).

What tax forms will I receive, and how do I receive them?

In most cases, you will receive an initial donation receipt from the tow driver at the time of your vehicle pick-up. This initial will indicate your name and the year, make, model, and condition of the vehicle you are donating. You will then be mailed a thank-you letter on behalf of KCRW, which serves as a tax receipt, within 30 days of the sale of the vehicle. This will be your final tax document if your vehicle sold for less than $500. If your vehicle sells for more than $500 and your tax identification number has been provided, an IRS Form 1098-C, "Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes," will be mailed to you within 30 days of the sale stating the amount of gross proceeds received from your donation.

How do I request a donation or tax receipt?

Please call us at 888-KCRW-CAR (888-527-9227) during regular hours of operation or email donorsupport@careasy.org, and we would be happy to help you.

What if my vehicle is valued at over $5,000?

Effective January 1, 2005, you are no longer required to have vehicles appraised. The value you may claim will be the amount of gross proceeds received from your vehicle. If your vehicle sells for more than $5,000, you must complete Section B of Form 8283 and obtain an acknowledgment signature on the form before claiming the deduction. The completed form will need to be included with your income tax return.

Do I need to notify my local Motor Vehicle Division when I donate my vehicle?

State notification proves that you are no longer the registered owner of the donated vehicle. Depending on the registered state of the vehicle, your next step (after your vehicle has been picked up) is to notify the state about your recent vehicle donation. Please only notify your state after the vehicle is picked up. This step may be required by the state and may include surrendering the license plates. The steps needed to release your liability for a donated vehicle vary by state. Our Vehicle Donor Service Representatives can provide you with the steps necessary for each state. If you have questions about how to notify your state about your donated vehicle, please call us at 888-KCRW-CAR (888-527-9227) seven days a week during regular hours of operation or email donorsupport@careasy.org.