Frequently Asked Questions
How do I donate?
What can I donate?
Can I donate a vehicle that is not running?
Do I need a title to my vehicle?
What’s all the fuss about a title?
How do I transfer the title?
Do I keep my license plates?
Do I pay for the tow?
How is my vehicle picked up and how long does it take?
Is my donation tax deductible?
What kind of deduction will I get?
Will the charity lose money because of the new regulations?
Do you accept vehicles for just any charity?
What if my questions has not been answered here?
How do I donate?
Get your vehicle title so you’ll have it in hand and call our office at 303-853-4125 or 1-800-551-9401, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5p.m. to donate your vehicle. Or, you may complete the Online Donation Form. One of our representatives will call you within 24 business hours to confirm your online donation.
After we collect your information, it is given to the tow company or driving service assigned to your vehicle. They contact you to schedule the pick up. At the time of pickup, you will give the driver your signed title and keys. The driver will give you a temporary receipt for your vehicle. We then dispose of the vehicle by selling at public auction or selling to a recycler. Upon the sale, we will mail your donation confirmation letter. This letter will include the amount you will be able to deduct on your tax return if you qualify for deductions.
What can I donate?
We accept almost all vehicles from cars, vans, trucks, SUV's, RV's, motorcycles to boats with trailers. We can even accept riding mowers, tractors, snowmobiles and wave runners. Just call and ask. We want to give you the opportunity to donate whatever you have.
Can I donate a vehicle that is not running?
We do accept non-running vehicles, however we do have a few limitations on vehicles outside the Denver Metro area. Please call us at 1-800-551-9401 to determine if we can accept your vehicle. If you complete the online donation form, we will verify acceptance when we call you.
Do I need a title to my vehicle?
Yes. We must have a Certificate of Title with your name printed in the Owner's Section.
If you do not have a title, you can take your ID, an old registration or insurance card to your County Department of Motor Vehicles and get a duplicate title. They should be able to print a title while you wait.
Please note that all liens must be paid in full prior to donating your vehicle. If the title shows an active lien, you must attach the notarized lien release to the title.
You may also donate a vehicle for another person if you have the appropriate documentation stating that you have the authority to do so.
What’s all the fuss about a title?
Some donors ask why they must have a title in their name. If we did not require your name to be on the title, another person could easily donate the vehicle you own. FOR YOUR PROTECTION, we require the title to be in your name.
How do I transfer the title?
The title must be in your name unless you have the authority to donate on behalf of another. Your signature on the title must be exactly as it appears in the owner's section. If there are two owners, both must sign the title. You need to sign your name in the “Seller’s Section”. There is only one “Seller’s Section” on Colorado titles. Please do not cross out, white out or make any other marks on the title. If you have questions, please call our office before you sign to avoid problems with the title.
It is important to note that all titles are legal documents, therefore, you must read all instructions very carefully. Any alterations and/or erasures will void your title and you will have to obtain a duplicate title from the Department of Motor Vehicles before you surrender your vehicle.
Do I keep my license plates?
Colorado license plates are registered to the owner and not the vehicle. You can dispose of the plates but you must cancel the plates with your County’s Department of Motor Vehicles so you will be released of any liability after the date of disposal. You can also return them to the DMV for a refund and/or their recycling program.
Do I pay for the tow?
No, that is paid by the organization. It is most important for you to have your vehicle, keys and signed title ready when your vehicle is scheduled for pick up to avoid additional fees being charged to the charity for the tow service to return again to your location.
If you have a running, driveable vehicle, you can deliver your vehicle to one of our drop off locations and help the charity reduce expenses.
How is my vehicle picked up and how long does it take?
Licensed and insured companies will pick up your vehicle. The tow service will call within 48 business hours to schedule the pick up. Normally, your vehicle is picked up within four to seven business days. If you need an urgent pick up please tell us at the time of donation. We will try to accommodate your request if at all possible. The company picking up your vehicle will give you a temporary receipt that you may use to cancel insurance, etc.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Donations to nonprofit organizations, classified by the Internal Revenue Service as 501 (C) (3) tax exempt organizations, are tax deductible. The organizations listed on this web site are classified as tax exempt organizations. It is important to consult with your tax advisor to determine how you might benefit from your donation.
What kind of deduction will I get?
Beginning January 1, 2005, deduction allowance rules changed. If your vehicle is valued at $500 or less, you may take the “fair market value”. Vehicles valued over $500, the IRS allows you, the donor, to claim the gross sales price that the vehicle sells when it is disposed of. Upon the sale of your vehicle, the charity will send your letter with the amount of deduction you may claim on your taxes if you itemize your deductions.
The IRS Publication 4303, A Donor’s Guide to Car Donations, offers assistance regarding vehicle donations. We recommend that you review this booklet to insure that you are knowledgeable about the donation process. The IRS will be updating this publication until a full interpretation of the new tax law is complete. You may want to periodically check the IRS web site, http://www.irs.gov, obtain the final documentation for your files.Will the charity lose money because of the new regulations?
The new tax guidelines will not affect the amount the charity receives for the vehicle. We will continue to clean and repair as many vehicles as is feasible so the charity will maximize their return on your vehicle. We will also continue to sell our vehicles at Public Auctions so everyone has the opportunity to bid on a vehicle.
Do you accept vehicles for just any charity?
No, we only accept vehicles for those charities with which we have signed agreements. We want to be sure that your donation is fully tax deductible and at risk by accepting it for a charity that may not have current IRS tax exempt status. We also do not want to represent an organization without their knowledge of that representation.
What if my questions has not been answered here?Be sure to call us at 1-800-551-9401 or 303-853-4125. We want to be sure you have the information you need to donate your vehicle.
Thank you for visiting our website. We want to be of service to you.