Tuesday, 17 November 2015

Car Donation

Selling Your Car is a Hassle:


You already know how hard it is to sell a used car on the open market these days. There’s the hassle of finding affordable places to advertise it, and then you wait and wait and wait for the phone to ring.

Even when it does, it’s somebody trying to nickel and dime you down to almost nothing. And if they don’t do it while they’re on the phone, you can bet they will be doing it as they stand in your driveway.

donate a car for tax breaksAnd in many states you have to worry about them returning it if they’re unhappy with anything in a short period of time. Car donations completely fix this problem.

The car service centers will take your vehicle in any condition, including one that needs towing out of your driveway! You’ll get a very generous donation deduction for your trouble, and a surprising number of charities will even take the vehicle if you’ve lost your title.

How To Donate A Car To Charity

Enjoy Vehicle Donation Tax Benefits

If you donate a car to charity and itemize deductions on your income tax return, it may be possible to claim a deduction for your car donation.

In 2005, the IRS changed the laws related to tax deductibility of car donations because of exaggerated deductions based on inflated book values (book values tend to become less reliable as a vehicle ages). Under the new rules, the deductible amount of your vehicle donation is directly related to the selling price of your vehicle.

Donate a car and if it sells for less than $500 you can take a tax deduction equal to the ‘fair market value’ of your donation up to $500. Fair Market Value is loosely explained as the “Blue Book” or “Guide Book” value of your vehicle. See our car donation to charity help links below for Kelley Blue Book, NADA Guides or Edmunds.

The charity you donate a car to is required by IRS to send to the donor a contemporaneous written acknowledgement (receipt) within 30 days of the vehicle sale. This receipt must include the following:

  • The gross selling price of the vehicle (if sold for greater than $500).
  • Year, Make, Model and VIN Information.
  • A statement that the vehicle was sold at arm’s length between two unrelated parties.
  • And a statement that no goods or services were received in return for your contribution.
*Keep in mind that companies that promise goods or services in return for your car donation are legally cutting into the amount that you can claim for a tax deduction for your charitable contribution.

TIPS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR CAR DONATION TAX DEDUCTION:

We want donors to know that donating a car to charity not only helps the organization fund worthwhile research and activities, but you also may be eligible to claim a tax deduction for your charitable contribution. Here are some car donation tax tips:

Make sure the charity is eligible to receive tax deductible contributions. The most common types of qualified organizations are section 501(c)(3) organizations, such as charitable, educational, or religious organizations. Visit IRS.gov to search for registered charities. You should only work with esteemed, 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.
Be sure that you get a receipt from the charity for your car donation. You must obtain a written acknowledgment from the charity if the total deduction you are claiming for a donated car is $250 or more. Make sure they will mail a tax receipt for your records following the sale of your vehicle.
The IRS will only allow a deduction for the fair market value of the car. This can be found on the tax receipt mailed to you for your donation.
If the car is worth more than $500, the donor must complete Section A of IRS Form 8283 and attach it to their tax return.
If the car is worth $5,000 or more, an independent appraisal is necessary. The donor must also fill out Section B of IRS Form 8283. Take pictures of the car and save receipts for new tires or other upgrades to verify its value.
Always consult your tax adviser or the IRS for more information about how you can claim charitable deductions. The IRS can answer your tax questions and can provide tax forms, publications, and other reading materials for further assistance. IRS materials are accessible through the Internet at www.irs.gov, through telephone ordering at (800) 829-3676, and at IRS walk-in offices in many areas across the country.


Donate you Car and Help Poors

Pick a Charity:

It's very easy to give money or an in-kind donation to a non-profit. The hard part is making sure the non-profit deserves your gift and that you are confident the organization is spending its resources wisely.



The first step is to identify a charity that engages in work that is meaningful to you. For some, that will be helping to feed poor children; for others it will be the local animal shelter, and for others still it will be their religious institution.

There are thousands of non-profits to choose from. The most important thing to verify is that the charity you choose can receive tax-deductible gifts. Most of the time that means it must be registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Ensure You Can Donate Your Car

Once you've identified a couple non-profits in the area you'd like to support, find out if they accept used cars as gifts. Not all non-profits are equipped to handle that type of donation.

If they do accept cars as gifts, you can then narrow down the list. You can do this by checking each organization's Charity Navigator rating. You can also look up their tax filings on Guidestar, where you can see their financial profile and how much their highest paid employees are compensated.

Additionally, another great way to research a charity is by visiting the non-profit to form your own opinion of the work they do.

Tax Deductions for Donated Cars


The deduction you can take on your tax return is based on the fair market value of the car. You can start to determine that by visiting Kelley Blue Book or the NADA Guides, which both have excellent used car rating tools.

However, keep in mind that these book values are generalizations.

For example, if you determine that your car is worth $5,000, but you know it doesn't start because it needs a new battery, the fair market value is $5,000 minus the price of replacing the battery.

Sunday, 11 October 2015

Tax Benefits of Car Donation

If you donate a car to charity and itemize deductions on your income tax return, it may be possible to claim a deduction for your car donation.

In 2005, the IRS changed the laws related to tax deductibility of car donations because of exaggerated deductions based on inflated book values (book values tend to become less reliable as a vehicle ages). Under the new rules, the deductible amount of your vehicle donation is directly related to the selling price of your vehicle.

Donate a car and if it sells for less than $500 you can take a tax deduction equal to the 'fair market value' of your donation up to $500. Fair Market Value is loosely explained as the "Blue Book" or "Guide Book" value of your vehicle. See our car donation to charity help links below for Kelley Blue Book, NADA Guides or Edmunds.

The charity you donate a car to is required by IRS to send to the donor a contemporaneous written acknowledgement (receipt) within 30 days of the vehicle sale. This receipt must include the following:

The gross selling price of the vehicle (if sold for greater than $500)
Year, Make, Model and VIN Information
A statement that the vehicle was sold at arm's length between two unrelated parties
And a statement that no goods or services were received in return for your contribution.*
*Keep in mind that companies that promise goods or services in return for your car donation are legally cutting into the amount that you can claim for a tax deduction for your charitable contribution.


TIPS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR CAR DONATION TAX DEDUCTION


Car Donation Wizard wants donors to know that donating a car to charity not only helps the organization fund worthwhile research and activities, but you also may be eligible to claim a tax deduction for your charitable contribution. Here are some car donation tax tips:

Make sure the charity is eligible to receive tax deductible contributions. The most common types of qualified organizations are section 501(c)(3) organizations, such as charitable, educational, or religious organizations. Visit IRS.gov to search for registered charities. Car Donation Wizard only works with esteemed, 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.
Be sure that you get a receipt from the charity for your car donation. You must obtain a written acknowledgment from the charity if the total deduction you are claiming for a donated car is $250 or more. Car Donation Wizard mails a tax receipt for your records following the sale of your vehicle.
The IRS will only allow a deduction for the fair market value of the car. This can be found on the tax receipt mailed to you for your donation.
If the car is worth more than $500, the donor must complete Section A of IRS Form 8283 and attach it to their tax return.
If the car is worth $5,000 or more, an independent appraisal is necessary. The donor must also fill out Section B of IRS Form 8283. Take pictures of the car and save receipts for new tires or other upgrades to verify its value.
Always consult your tax adviser or the IRS for more information about how you can claim charitable deductions. The IRS can answer your tax questions and can provide tax forms, publications, and other reading materials for further assistance. IRS materials are accessible through the Internet at www.irs.gov, through telephone ordering at (800) 829-3676, and at IRS walk-in offices in many areas across the country.

CHARITY CAR DONATION HELP LINKS




Car Donation in California



Donate A Car 2 Charity is a local California-based vehicle donation service. We provide fast, free pickup of your car donation anywhere throughout the State of California, including San Diego, Los Angeles, the Bay Area and Sacramento, regardless of the condition, or registration status. When you are ready to donate you car, boat or RV in California, start by calling our toll free number -- 1-877-505-5775 or submit the online donation form.   Once you submit your information, including your email address, you will receive instant confirmation of your California car donation. You will also receive an initial tax receipt entitling you a tax deduction of up to $500 and providing you with further instructions on how to claim your car donation tax donation.  If your vehicle sells for more than $500, you will receive additional paperwork listing the amount you are entitled to claim as a tax deduction. In some cases, vehicles may qualify for a fair market value tax deduction. For more information on the fair market value deduction for vehicle donations, please call us and we can provide you with additional information on what is required to claim this deduction.

Can I Donate My Vehicle in Any Condition? -- What if I am missing a Title?


Yes!  As long as your car has wheels, we can pick up your car in [almost] any condition. We can pick up non-running vehicles, vehicles which are having difficulty passing smog and even vehicles with lost titles. 

Is my car donation tax deductible?

Again, the answer is Yes! All vehicles donated at www.donateacar2charity.com benefit Activated Ministries, a California non-profit Christian Ministry classified with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. As such all charitable donations, including donations of cars and other vehicles are tax deductible.  When you donate a vehicle through Donate a Car 2 Charity, you are donating directly to a non-profit which ensures that all proceeds from the resale of your vehicle go directly to charity and not to a middlemen or for-profit car donation services.

Donate Car in CA 

We accept and pick up car donations all throughout the state of California, including the following locations:*


Fremont
Irvine
Modesto
Glendale
San Bernardino
Huntington Beach
Oxnard
Fontana
Moreno Valley
Oceanside
Rancho Cucamonga
Santa Clarita
Chula Vista
Corona
Torrance

* We pick up vehicles in all cities and areas of California, even those not on this list. 

What paperwork do I need to donate my vehicle in California?



If you have misplaced your vehicle title, we can still pick up your car.  Please make sure to let us know when you schedule your vehicle pickup and the tow driver will bring the necessary documents for your signature (Reg 227 and Reg 262) so we can apply for the duplicate title.


Per California regulations, the license plates stay with the vehicle. So please leave your plates on the car at the time of donation. 

For additional or updated information,  please visit the California DMV web site at http://www.dmv.ca.gov before the pickup takes place. 

What type of release the liability is required for vehicles donated in California?


In most cases, the release of liability form is attached to the bottom of your title, however, you can also download the California release of liability form here. You can also complete and submit the release of liability online. If you have additional questions about your liability when you donate cars in CA, please contact your local  Department of Motor Vehicles or visit the California DMV web site: California Motor Vehicle Department which should have the most recent updated information on the topic.

Where do I sign the title for a vehicle donated in California? 


If you own your vehicle, sign on line one (1) of the title to release ownership of vehicle. If your car is, or was financed, the lienholder’s name will appear as the legal owner  and their release, with counter signature, will be required on line two. For additional information visit Title Processing Information California.

Donate Car in California


Donate your car to charity and get a tax break. That popular radio and TV pitch seems enticing. But as the recently-announced car-donation investigation by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo shows, you need to watch out before giving up your car for a write-off. Otherwise, you might get scammed and could face serious tax pitfalls.

Cuomo, who is running for New York Governor, sued to shut down the car-donation charity, Feed the Hungry Inc. (not affliated with Feed the Hungry Inc. in Leesburg, Va., which provides assistance to the Phillipines.) He said the charity's director kept 98% of the funds for himself instead of spending it to feed the homeless.The charity has declined all comment through its lawyer.

If you want to donate your old car, take these steps to help ensure the proceeds go to good works and that you'll get a bona fide tax deduction:

Checking Out a Charity 
Make sure the charity is legitimate.

Check the online version of IRS Publication 78 to see that the group is a registered charity eligible to take such donations. Only organizations listed as having 501 (c) (3) status can. Additionally, you can check with your state attorney general's office, which keep files on charities in most states. Documents often are online.

Check how much goes to good works. 

Documents on file with the attorney general also should state what percentage of funds go to charitable work vs. running the charitable organization. Well-run charities typically spend 15% or less administering their program. You can also check the efficiency of the charitable organization with Charity Navigator.

Donate the car directly to the charity . 

Even legitimate charities may hire profit-making services to handle car-donation program. In such cases, these services get the majority of the money. So look for a charity that accepts the car directly.

Knowing The Write-off Rules 

A few years back, the IRS became concerned that people were inflating the value of their auto donations. So a 2005 law made the rules tougher for deducting a car you donate. Here's how to qualify for the tax break:

Make sure the title is signed over to the charity. 

Any transfer to a for-profit service, even if it's working with the charity, could jeopardize your deduction.

Value your car correctly. 

Before the law changed, you could deduct the fair market value of your car calculated by a reputable service such as Kelley Blue Book. But now, if your car is worth more than $500, you generally can deduct only the amount the charity received when selling the car. You should get a statement from the charity showing the sales figure. If you don't get the statement within a month of the sale, call the charity and insist on getting it.

There's one exception to this valuation rule: When the charity decides to keep your car and use it--to deliver meals to the needy, for instance. Then, you can still deduct the fair market value from a valuation guide. But you'll need a statement from the charity confirming that it used the vehicle and for what purpose. Attach it to your tax return. Whatever the valuation, you'll need to file IRS form 8283 with your itemized return. The donation is considered a charitable deduction, but has its own form.

Tuesday, 6 October 2015

Tax Information for Students in USA [New]


Get Transcript
You can get a transcript to view your tax account transactions or line-by-line tax return information for a specific tax year.
Filing Your Taxes
Everything you need to file your individual federal income tax return.
Tax Benefit for Education Information Center
Many tax breaks are available to help with the cost of higher education.
Student Aid
This U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid website provides information about preparing for education, choosing a school, applying for admission, financial aid and more.
Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA)
The ITA tool is a tax law resource that takes you through a series of questions and provides you with responses to tax law questions.

Do I need to pay income tax and national insurance?

It’s a common misconception that students don't have to pay income tax in the UK. They do – it's just that their total income usually doesn't take them over their personal allowance (the amount you can earn in a year without having to pay tax). Here’s an overview of how income tax and national insurance affects students, with links to more detailed information.

Income tax is charged on all assessable income in a tax year, which runs from 6 April to 5 April. Everyone resident in the UK has a personal allowance – an amount they can earn before any tax is due. For people under 65 years old it’s £8,105 in 2012/2013 and will be £9,205 in 2012/13.

If you don’t earn more than your personal allowance you don’t have to pay any income tax. Any amount you earn above your allowance is taxed at 20 per cent initially, with much higher incomes eventually taxed at 40 per cent and more. Here’s the government’s summary of income tax rates and allowances.

Interest on your savings may be taxed as well, at 20 per cent initially. However, if you’re on a low income you may be able to avoid this tax. For more information, see tax on savings interest. You can also save or invest your money tax-free with an Individual Savings Account (ISA). See what is an ISA? for more information.

Not all of your income is taxable. Student grants and bursaries, and nearly all scholarships are tax-free. Sometimes private scholarships are taxable, so you should confirm that such payments are tax-free.

Tax is collected either through your employer in a system known as Pay As You Earn (PAYE), or through a self-assessment process if you’re self-employed.

To find out more and check you’re paying the right amount using an online tax checker, see the government’s income tax overview.

Overpaying tax


About 80 per cent of full-time students who work don’t exceed their personal allowance in the year.  However, due to the way tax is calculated, students sometimes overpay tax.

This is because student income often varies considerably during the year. For example, you might work full-time during the summer vacation, and then only part-time or not at all during term.  Therefore, although your overall earnings don’t exceed your personal allowance, or only do so by a small amount, tax may be deducted in the summer on the assumption that your earnings will continue for the full tax year.

If you’ve overpaid tax you can reclaim it, and can do so up to six years after the tax year for which you’re reclaiming.

Reclaiming overpaid tax


If you believe you’ve paid too much income tax you can apply for a refund. You can do this through your local tax office – it’s relatively straightforward. You might need proof of your earnings, such as P60 or P45 forms from your employer.

Some private companies offer to reclaim tax on your behalf, but then take a cut of any refund that’s due – often around 20 per cent. NUS recommends that students or graduates apply for tax refunds themselves, because this is money you’ve earned and is due to you. The process isn’t complicated – here’s the government’s guide to how to claim a tax refund.

National insurance

In addition to income tax, national insurance (NI) may also be deducted from your earnings. NI contributions help to pay for benefits, including the state retirement pension.

If your earnings from paid work are between £146 and £817 per week you pay NI at a rate of 12 per cent of your earnings. If you earn more than £817 per week you pay an extra 2 per cent on top.

As with income tax, students are in no special position with regard to NI, but contributions aren’t deducted from student grants and loans.

For more information on NI, see:

The government’s NI overview
The LITRG’s information on NI.