Image commercially licensed from Unsplash

Some say, as humans, giving is in our nature. Giving to charity results in helping those in need. This feeling of giving back often makes us feel good. So really if you think about it, donating to charity is a win-win situation for everyone involved. Those less fortunate get what they need desperately and those giving can enjoy the warm feeling that comes with donating to charity. 

There are many ways and things you can donate to charity. For example, people donate money, food and even their time. But one of the lesser known donations to charity is through donating your car. This article will explore the benefits of donating your car to charity. 

Tax Benefits

On a more selfish note, donating your car to charity is highly beneficial to your tax situation. Before 2004, donating your car to charity was a common and popular tax gambit. The laws on this changed slightly after 2004, meaning those writing car donation off as a tax expense could only claim what the charity actually received for the car. This also required a receipt from the charity in the United States. 

There are still some tax benefits to donating your car as you can still receive the fair market value for the vehicle, provided you have all your paperwork in order.

Nonetheless, there are still plenty more (selfless) benefits to donating your car to charity. 

Saves Hassle

Anyone who has ever tried to sell a car in the past is often quick to tell you how difficult a process it was. Donating your car to charity will save you a lot of hassle and headaches. 

Through donating your car you can save time and effort on writing and paying for newspaper or online ads. As well as that, you won’t have to deal with multiple potential buyers trying to haggle over the car’s price. 

Donating your car to charity is often as simple as getting in contact with the charity of your choice and them coming to you to collect the car. Many charities offer free car pick-up, which should also save you some money. 

Saves Space

Not only does this free pick up save money, but just think of all the extra space you save after the car is gone. Cars can sometimes be an inconvenience when they are not in use. Oftentimes cars are left in the driveway if their tax or insurance has run out. 

These untaxed, uninsured cars sure have a way of lingering in your driveway rent free for months, even years on end. As mentioned in the previous point, selling a car can be a hassle. That is without even mentioning how long that process of selling a car could potentially take. 

Donating your car to charity guarantees you can get that car moved and out of sight as quickly as possible. Opening up space in both your driveway and your mind. 

The Feel Good Factor!

At the start of this article I mentioned why people might give to charity. Namely that warm feeling you get from giving back to those in need through giving you time and effort. Well donating your car is no different. 

Many charities that take car donations use the proceeds from the donated car to provide things like health services, wellness, housing, employment and medical care. 

Through donating your car to charity you can rest assured that you are helping out someone who is truly in need of this donation. And deep down is that not what donating to charity is all about?

Helps Those In Need

While some charities sell the car and use the proceeds to further their work, some charities get other uses out of a donated car. For example a charity should be able to put the car to good use themselves through their work. 

The donated car could be used by the charity to deliver meals, pick people up and bring them to the doctors or anything else that helps them in their charitable mission. Donating your car could help those giving back to continue to give back. 

Is Car Donation Worth It?

Clearly donating your car to charity has many benefits for both you as the donator and the charity. You can finally declutter your driveway after months of putting it off. This can be often done with just one phone call to a charity of your choice. From there your car will have a second life as its proceeds go on to help those in need. Or maybe your car gets a new purpose as the chosen charity puts it to good use. These are just some of the benefits of donating your car to charity. So if you have a metal box laying in your driveway why not think about donating it to charity, all while saving yourself plenty of time and hassle.