Guide To Car Donations, Boats and Airplanes
Recordkeeping and Filing Requirements
Guide to Donating Vehicles
Depending on the amount you are claiming as a charitable
contribution deduction, you may need to get and
keep certain records and file an additional form to substantiate
your charitable contributions. See the chart
Recordkeeping and Filing Requirements that follows.
WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGMENT FROM THE CHARITY
You must obtain a contemporaneous written acknowledgment
from the charity if the total deduction you are
claiming for a donated car is $250 or more. The acknowledgment must include the name of the charity,
a description (but not value) of your car, and one of the
following:
■ a statement that no goods or services were provided by
the charity in return for the contribution, if that was the case,
■ a description and good faith estimate of the value
of goods or services, if any, that the charity provided in
return for the contribution, or
■ a statement that goods or services that the charity
provided in return for the contribution consisted entirely
of intangible religious benefits, if that was the case.
You must get the written acknowledgment on or
before the earlier of the date you file your return for
the year you make the contribution, or the due date,
including extensions, for filing the return. A charity can
provide either a paper copy of the acknowledgment to
the donor, or a charity can provide the acknowledgment
electronically, such as via e-mail addressed to the donor.
Do not attach the acknowledgment to your income tax
return; instead, retain it with your records to substantiate
your contribution.
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