When your vehicle is sold, the proceeds go to the Arthritis Foundation, supporting those impacted by arthritis while advancing life-changing research. Your contribution may also provide you with tax benefits.
Donating your vehicle is easy.
1. Donate online by completing the Vehicle Donation Form, or donate by calling the vehicle donation processing center toll-free, seven days a week, at 855-955-AFNI (2364).
2. Once your form is processed, a towing service will call you within two to four business days to schedule a time to pick up your vehicle.
3. You will receive a receipt upon pickup; if your vehicle sells for more than $500, you will receive a postcard with the value for tax purposes.
Get Started Today
It was incredibly easy to donate my car to the Arthritis Foundation. I imply told the Foundation that I wanted to donate, and they set it up for me. From there, it just took providing the vehicle information and location online, and someone came to pick it up the next day. Couldn’t have been easier!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of donating a vehicle to the Arthritis Foundation?
We convert vehicles into cash, which becomes a welcome donation to the Arthritis Foundation to help nearly 60 million people living with arthritis pain in the U.S.
Are there any costs?
No. There is no cost to the donor. All expenses are deducted from the gross sales price, and if the costs ever exceed the price, they are covered by CARS, our vehicle donation program provider.
What types of vehicles do you accept?
All vehicles are considered. We strive 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 most other motorized vehicles. To find out if we can accept your vehicle, please complete our secure online vehicle donation form or call us toll-free at 855-955-AFNI (2364) during regular hours of operation.
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, it must be in one piece and towable, have an engine and 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 at 855-955-AFNI (2364) seven days a week during regular hours of operation.
How will my vehicle be picked up?
Once you have provided us with all 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. We provide vehicle donation processing in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia without limitation.
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 855-955-AFNI (2364) during regular hours of operation.
Who operates the Arthritis Foundation Vehicle Donation Program?
CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) runs the Arthritis Foundation 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 10 years.
VEHICLE DONATION TAX FAQs
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 of my tax deduction determined?
Most vehicles are sold through local wholesale auctions, and we work to get the highest return per vehicle for you and Arthritis Foundation. 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).
How do I request a donation or tax receipt?
Please call us at 855-955-AFNI (2364) during regular hours of operation or email [email protected], and we will be happy to help you.
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