The Cars 4 Causes Blog.

By Patti Palmer

Effective NOW, when you donate your car, boat, motorcycle or RV to Cars 4 Causes^®, you’ll be entitled to receive a FREE Cash Rebate Voucher that grants you access to the Cash Rebate Mall for one full year where you can earn up to $3,000 in cash rebates from over 800 of your favorite online retailers like Target, Kohl’s, Macy’s, the Gap and Walmart.  So what does this mean for you?  By purchasing products from your usual favorite stores, like a new DVD player from Best Buy or some linens from Target, you automatically get money back in the form of a prepaid Visa card!!

The Cash Rebate Mall is an easy-to-use shopping program that offers YOU as our donor the highest rebates available from hundreds of major merchants.   Cash Rebate Mall also provides special offers, coupons and other added discounts to help you save the most money.

We wanted to give our donors something they can actually use in their daily lives, especially at a time when most people are working hard to get back on, or stay on, their feet financially.  Many companies offer “Free” gimmicks that often come with unforeseen costs like hidden fees and obligations down the line.  But that is definitely not how we work here at Cars 4 Causes.  Instead, we wanted a way to reward our generous donors with something that provides significant and tangible benefit and most of all is absolutely FREE!

The whole program is very simple too!  Donate your vehicle, we’ll send you a notice to claim your Free Voucher online, redeem your claim within thirty (30) days and then go to Cash Rebate Mall.com to start shopping!  How easy is that?

What’s even better! The program has no effect on the value of your vehicle tax deduction.  So not only can you earn up to $3,000 in cash rebates, you receive a valuable IRS Tax deduction from your vehicle donation – all of this in addition to doing a wonderful deed by helping those in need.  Everyone benefits!

By Maria U Bernston, CPA

Its Unavoidable, Tax Season is Upon Us!

For those of you hopelessly procrastinating them, mire in the muck of doing them, or breathing a sigh of relief for completing them – here is some helpful tax information to keep in mind:

Here is what you need to do to get the maximum deduction for your vehicle and “why”:

1. Check out the charity to make sure that it is a “qualified” organization – otherwise your donation will not be tax deductible.
2. Determine that you qualify for a tax deduction
3. Determine the maximum amount of your deduction
4. Know the recordkeeping and filing requirements associated with your donation

1. Qualified Organization:

Cars 4 Causes is a 501(c)(3) organization which is qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions.

2. Do You Qualify for a Tax Deduction?

• As an individual, you can deduct contributions to charity only if you itemize deductions on Schedule A of Form 1040

• There are certain deduction limitations; for example, your total charitable deductions for the year cannot exceed a percentage of your adjusted gross income.  Several other limits and exceptions, such as donation deduction for a previously depreciated vehicle, may also apply.

3. How Much Can You Deduct?

• The maximum amount you can deduct on your income tax return is the sales price of the vehicle.

4. What Documentation Do You Need to Keep?

Good news – Cars 4 Causes provides all of the following documents, as applicable, in a timely manner. You need to keep them with your tax documents so that you can support your deduction or file them with your tax return, if required.

• For donations of less than $250, you will receive a receipt from Cars 4 Causes that includes the charity’s name, date and location of donation and description of the vehicle.

• For donations of $250 or more, but not more than $500, you will receive a contemporaneous written acknowledgement from Cars 4 Causes.  This acknowledgement includes the same information as above.  You must receive the acknowledgement by the due date for filing your returns (including extension) or the date you actually filed your return, if earlier.

• For donations greater than $500, you will receive a contemporaneous written acknowledgement (Form 1098-C) that includes the gross proceeds Cars 4 Causes received from the sale of the vehicle.  You should read the instructions accompanying the form carefully to make sure you report the donation correctly on your return.

If the deduction you are claiming for a donated car is greater than $500, you must also complete Section A of Form 8283.

5. The Filing deadline is approaching and still no Form 1098-C?

This probably means that your vehicle has not yet been sold. You have three choices:

• Request an automatic 6-month extension of time to file your return; you can get this extension by filing Form 4868 either electronically or as a hardcopy by the filing deadline, which is April 18^th in 2011.

• File the return without claiming the deduction for the qualified vehicle.  After receiving the Form 1098-C, file an amended return, Form 1040X, claiming the deduction. Attach Copy B of Form 1098-C (or other statement) to the amended return.

• File the return claiming a deduction for less than $500 based on the contemporaneous receipt you received from the charity. File an amended return, if the sales proceeds on Form 1098-C you receive from the charity upon sale of your vehicle differ from the amount you claimed as a deduction. Attach Form 1098-C as above

While Cars 4 Causes makes the donation process easy and provides you with all the required documentation, reporting charitable donations on your tax return is not always “easy”. In addition, every individual’s tax situation is different, so you should seek professional advice.

Maria U Berntson, CPA, is a partner at Lindsay and Company LLP, Certified Public Accountant. At Lindsay and Company, LLP,  we approach your needs as a team of professionals with diversified skills, focused on providing solutions toward achieving your financial goals as an individual, in business, or as a non-profit organization.  For assistance or just to chat about your tax situation, business or financial goals, please contact us at 805-650-5915 or visit us at  www.lindsayandcompanycpa.com.

On February 17^th The Make-A-Wish Foundation Tri-Counties, an organization that grants the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions, held a silent auction at The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, CA.  The local event garnered over 100 participants and included dinner and live music.  Cars 4 Causes donated $10,000 worth of items to auction off at the benefit, and our very own President Patti Palmer and Executive Director Pat Jessup attended and Cars 4 Causes was acknowledged for donating $368,000 to the Make A Wish Foundation to date.

All in all the night was a great success, and we’re thrilled to report that Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties raised over $70,000 from the auction!

Here are some of the items that Cars 4 Causes donated for the auction:

• Joe Namath autographed lithograph 25^th anniversary super bowl III
• Ken Norton autographed boxing glove
• Harmon Killebrew autographed Twins Baseball Jersey
• 20 Skating Plus skate rental tickets
• 3 couple massages at Stress Busters Massage
• 10 Channel Islands Sports Fishing certificates for 2 people
• 15 Channel Islands Ice Skate Canter certificates
• 2 secret garden Inn and Cottages 2 night Bed & Breakfast stays
• 2 cases of Mick Fleetwood 2002 cuvée Premium Red Wine

If you would like to support Cars 4 Causes, you can do so by donating your car, boat, motorcycle or RV today.  Just fill out our online donation form or call us today at 1-888-488-9949.  ” It feels good helping others.” and your donation will make a difference!

MAKING YOUR CAR DONATION EASY!

Nicole Anaya – March 1, 2011

Are you thinking about donating your vehicle to charity?  If the answer is yes, let me share some tips with you to make the process smooth and easy. As a Donation Specialist for Cars 4 Causes® for many years, I processed more than 4,300 vehicle donations, so I’ve highlighted below the most important steps you need to know!

1.         ARE YOU DONATING TO A REAL CHARITY?

Before you make that call or click on the online donation form, please make sure the charity you are planning to donate to is a 501(C)3 registered non-profit organization qualified to accept vehicle donations. This is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself. By donating to a qualified 501(c)3 non-profit organization, you will ensure that when it comes time to claim your  tax deduction you will be able to use it.  Cars 4 Causes was the 1st 501(c)3 non-profit organization in America to be approved by the IRS to accept vehicle donations, so you can rest easy when you donate to us.

2.         INFORMATION YOU’LL NEED WHEN YOU DONATE.

During the process, whether by phone or an online form it may seem like we need a lot of information. As a donation specialist, it’s our job to get you the highest tax deduction possible and the most money for charity. Therefore, the more information we get from you, the better we can do our job.  And while we are grateful that you have chosen to donate your car to us, you will be grateful for all of the intrusive and annoying questions we ask when April 15^th rolls around and you have a generous tax deduction as a result.

Here’s the basic information we need:

Here’s more information we’d like to have (it will help us evaluate your car donation faster):

*A.      Title questions are one of the most important things we will ask.  They help us verify ownership and vehicle information. In most cases, a lost title may not be a problem.  Each situation varies which is why we urge you to call and speak to one of our donation specialist who can help you through this step.

**B.     Registration questions are frequently asked to determine if there are fees due by the licensing agency in your state.  If the vehicle you want to donate has a registration that is due, it’s best that you register it as non-operational to avoid any back fees you might be charged prior to donating your vehicle.

3.         SCHEDULING A PICK-UP

Once we get all your information and accept your donation, one of our tow companies will call you to schedule a pick-up time within 2 business days. If it is an emergency, we can expedite your request and have your vehicle picked up within 24 hours. On the date of tow you will need to give the title (pink slip) and the keys to the tow driver. If you can’t be there at time of tow, you can leave the pink slip and keys under the dashboard.  In return, you will receive a pick-up receipt from the tow driver. Once your vehicle is delivered to us, we’ll send you a pick-up confirmation letter with our charity information, your name, date of donation, year, make, and model of your donated vehicle. After your vehicle has been towed away you should call your insurance company and let them know you no longer own the vehicle.

4.         RECEIVING YOUR TAX RECEIPT.

The last step in the process is waiting to receive your written acknowledgment letter commonly known as a tax receipt. This tax receipt is to be used for your tax purposes and will be mailed to you after the vehicle has been sold. It normally takes us between 60-90 days to process, evaluate, repair (if necessary) and sell your vehicle.  If you plan on claiming a tax deduction and your vehicle sells for more than $500 we will send you your tax receipt along with a form 1098C (to do this however, we will need your social security number). If you don’t plan on claiming your donation as a tax deduction and/or the vehicle sells for less than $500 we will only send you a tax receipt (no social security number will be required).

Donating your vehicle can be a great way to save money on your taxes and help others at the same time. There are many choices out there, but only Cars 4 Causes has the experience and expertise to get you the most our of your vehicle donation.  Afterall, we are America’s 1^st vehicle donation charity. So take advantage of our 13 years of experience and get the most from your car donation.  “It feels good helping others.”

I hope this gives you a better idea of what to expect when donating your vehicle. Please keep in mind that Cars 4 Causes also accept boats, motorcycles and RVs. You may fill out an online donation form or feel free to give us a call at 1-800-488-9949 and a friendly donation specialist will be more than happy to assist you.

On February 4^th, 2011 Team Cars 4 Causes® members donated their time and hand crafted valentine cards with paper doilies, glitter and foam heart stickers.  140 different Valentines were created and each had a love quote on it.

On February 14, 2011, Team Cars 4 Causes visited two homes of our most treasured citizens, The Aegis and The Venturan in Ventura, California.  Each team member carried handmade Valentine cards and sweet Valentine confections to surprise the residents on this special day.   A balloon artist joined the team to craft personalized Valentine themed balloons for willing participants.  Team Cars 4 Causes members split into two groups and joined the residents for lunch.  Our senior Valentines were very happy to receive the handmade cards and to know that outside of their community there are those of us who care.   Our balloon artist created flowers and swans that made the residents smile from ear to ear.   One woman smiled so big it made everyone else smile too! During our visit we met two love birds Tom and Betty Ann Bruno who shared a kiss over lunch that we caught on camera! Our most beloved Valentine was Grace, who will turn 100 years old this year.  We made a special balloon rose for her that she appreciated so much she squeezed it until it almost “POPPED.”   Other residents took joy in wearing their Valentine cards on their heads; admittedly a strange custom, but adorable all the same.

Some of the residents at the The Venturan were bed ridden so Cars 4 Causes Team Members were allowed to visit them in their rooms.  We read them the love quotes on their cards and told them we wanted them to know we were thinking of them on Valentine’s Day.  Many of the residents knew Cars 4 Causes because they had car donation to us in the past.  Others couldn’t stop talking about how the Valentines brought back so many memories of their younger days.  Great Job Team Cars 4 Causes!!