Frequently Asked Questions About Donating A Vehicle To Wheels For Wishes

Donate Your Car In 3 Easy Steps

1. First, call 1-855-278-9474 or visit our online donation form.
2. Next, we’ll arrange your free tow within 24 hours of the next business day.
3. Finally, when the car donation process is complete, we’ll mail you your tax deductible receipt.

Still have questions? Here's some more information on how to donate a car.

In most cases we will need the title to the vehicle, but each state has its own requirements. Check out our vehicle donation title FAQ for more information. Even if you do not have title papers, call us anyway; other arrangements can be worked out in most cases. You may contact us by calling us toll free at 1-855-278-9474.

We appreciate your car donation, and we want to help make that possible for you. If you have any other questions, you can look at our car donation FAQ. Our representatives are standing by on the phone, ready to help you identify any paperwork you need to donate your vehicle.

Wheels For Wishes will tell you what is required in your state. Most states do require that you have a clear title to the vehicle to be able to donate. If you have other questions you can go to our vehicle donation title FAQ to get your vehicle title questions answered.

On the day we receive your vehicle, our insurance provides coverage. We will handle all transfer documents according to your local state Department of Vehicle Services guidelines, and provide you with receipts and information for your tax deduction.

If you have any other questions concerning your car donation, visit our FAQ page. If you have more title-specific questions, we have a helpful vehicle donation title FAQ page as well.

Yes, we will pick up the vehicle running or not for free, from a location that is convenient for you. If you fill out our online donation form we will call you the same or next business day to schedule your vehicle pick-up. If you make your vehicle donation by calling us at 1-855-278-9474 we will schedule your pick-up at that time.

We accept most cars, trucks, vans, fleet vehicles, trailers, boats, motorcycles, and RVs, subject to approval. We have representatives standing by to answer any question you might have such as: "what you can donate?" and "what condition of cars are accepted?" Please call us toll free at 1-855-278-9474.

Yes, we are able to accept most vehicles whether they run or not. Even if your car hasn't run for years, you can donate it to charity. For more information, please call 1-855-278-9474.

Donating your car that doesn't run versus trying to sell it is typically less stressful and more beneficial. You will still receive free vehicle pick-up when you donate a car that no longer runs. In most cases, non-running cars are recycled. Regardless of whether your car runs or not, the proceeds from its sale benefit your local chapter of Make-A-Wish.

Yes, vehicles donated to registered nonprofit organizations are tax deductible. Because we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, your car donation to Wheels For Wishes is completely tax deductible. After we receive your car donation, we will mail you a receipt that states your tax deduction amount.

In general, if the car you donate sells for less than $500, you can claim the fair market value of your vehicle up to $500. If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, you will be able to claim the exact amount for which your car sold. Learn more about how the IRS allows you to claim a tax deduction for your car donation on our IRS Tax Information page.

Now you don't have to because of the IRS Car Donation Tax Laws

Your car donation to an IRS approved 501(c)(3) charity is still tax deductible and will fall into one of these categories:

1. For vehicles sold for under $500, you can claim the fair market value up to $500.00 without any additional paperwork.  The preliminary tax receipt will be mailed after vehicle has been confirmed picked up.
2. If the gross proceeds from the sale of your donated vehicle exceed $500.00, your deduction will be limited to the actual sale price. You will also be asked by the donee organization to provide your Social Security for the purposes of completing its IRS Form 1098-C form.

We will provide you with a receipt stating the final sales price of your vehicle within 30 days of its sale.

Call 1-855-278-9474 any time, day or night, and our representatives will assist you.  Our agents will send your donation order to the nearest towing partner to contact you directly to schedule the pickup.

If you would prefer to start online vs. making a phone call for your car donation, you can fill out a car donation form on our website. Your vehicle will be towed away for free at the time you discuss with one of our representatives. If you would like more information on your local chapter, you can find it here. If you have any other questions, check out our car donation FAQ page. 

Car Donation Foundation (CDF), d/b/a (Wheels for Wishes), is a federally registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You receive a tax deduction for the total amount that your car sells for. See here for tax information.

Wheels For Wishes thanks you for your generosity and truly appreciates your donations. While the costs of turning donated vehicles into cash are high compared to other forms of charity fundraising, through your donations, CDF d/b/a Wheels for Wishes has donated over $123,000,000 to local Make-A-Wish Chapters since 2010.

Proceeds from donated vehicles go to CDF, which in turn provides direct cash donations to other charities such as individual Make-A-Wish Chapters. The amount that your vehicle ultimately sells for is based upon its make, year, mileage and condition. These are the sales proceeds from your vehicle. CDF also has normal expenses involved in directly promoting the car donation program (advertising) and costs involved in turning your donated vehicle into cash (towing fees, auction fees, administrative costs). CDF's cash donations to Make-A-Wish Chapters are based upon the sale proceeds of all donated vehicles during a given month, less deductions for normal monthly costs such as towing, advertising, auction fees and administrative fees. Because of the difference in sales proceeds from one vehicle to the next and because of the costs involved in turning your donated vehicle into cash, the donation that CDF makes to Make-A-Wish Chapters from the sale of your individual vehicle can be a larger percentage for a higher value vehicle, or much lower for an older low valued non-running vehicle that is recycled. The lower percentage is a result of there being minimum fixed costs incurred to obtain, tow and sell each car. These fixed costs can sometimes be a high percentage of the selling price of a low valued scrap vehicle. CDF does receive a large number of donated scrap vehicles, which can bring the estimated average donation per vehicle percentage down. For 2020, the average percentage donated to benefiting charities by Car Donation Foundation was approximately 39% based on Total Revenue compared to Grants and Similar Amounts Paid as reported on the annual IRS Form 990.

Car donation programs do have higher costs to promote and operate, compared to other forms of charity fundraising. If you are concerned about giving 100% of the value of your vehicle to a charity, the best way to do so is to sell your vehicle yourself and directly donate your sale proceeds to your favorite charity. We invite you to read more about the Overhead Myth published by the three leading guides in nonprofit information or get an estimate of how much your tax deduction is worth through a tax savings donation calculator.

While making your donation, you can choose to benefit your local chapter of Make-A-Wish to help grant the wishes of children in your community. If you'd like to benefit a different chapter of Make-A-Wish, you can! Wheels For Wishes is partnered with Make-A-Wish chapters around the country. Find the chapter you would like to benefit here.

Wheels For Wishes is a car donation program that benefits local chapters of Make-A-Wish. Proceeds from car donations help make dreams come true around the country. You can find what local chapters of Make-A-Wish we benefit here.

Car Donation Foundation also runs Wheels for Wishes & Wellness, and Vehicles for Veterans.

Wheels for Wishes & Wellness benefits local children’s hospitals and charities.

Vehicles for Veterans benefits disabled American veterans by raising money to provide funding for various programs to help support their needs.

Vehicle For Veterans is a car donation program that benefits Operation Homefront and in Minnesota benefits Airlift Command.

CDF’s mission is to help these benefiting charities fulfill their missions with proceeds from CDF’s car donation programs. CDF and all benefiting charities are separate and unaffiliated 501c organizations.

No. Wheels For Wishes accepts vehicle donations. We get the maximum value from your donation through our processing partners, donating the proceeds to your local Make-A-Wish chapter.

After we pick up your donated vehicle, it enters our remarketing process where we work to maximize its value for Make-A-Wish. Vehicles are either sold at auction to new owners or recycled, depending on their condition. Learn more about how the car donation process works.

Our team analyzes the best sales options for each specific vehicle to ensure the highest possible return. The proceeds from your vehicle's sale stay local, benefiting your chapter of Make-A-Wish. Learn more about why you should donate your car and how the process creates meaningful impact for wish kids.

Yes! We gladly accept multiple vehicle donations. Whether you're downsizing, clearing out a collection, or managing an estate, we can coordinate pickup for multiple vehicles.

This is especially common with fleet vehicle donations from businesses. Contact us at 1-855-278-9474 to discuss your multiple vehicle donation and we'll arrange efficient pickup scheduling.

Absolutely! Businesses and organizations frequently donate vehicles to Wheels For Wishes. We accept fleet vehicles including company cars, delivery trucks, rental vehicles, and corporate fleets.

Business donations may offer additional tax advantages, so we recommend consulting with your tax advisor about the specific benefits for your company. Learn more about the benefits of donating to charity whether you're an individual or business donor.

As long as the vehicle title is in your name and we're able to accept it (on a case-by-case basis), location typically isn't an issue. We provide free vehicle pickup anywhere in the United States.

The key requirements are that you have clear legal ownership with the title in your name and that the vehicle is accessible for towing. Check our chapter list to find your local chapter or call us to discuss donating a vehicle located outside your home state.

The basic donation process remains the same for all vehicle types, but there are some specific considerations. Boats must have trailers, and both the boat and trailer need titles.

Motorcycles may also require trailers for transport. The timing of free towing may differ slightly for non-car vehicles based on specialized transportation needs. We accept cars, trucks, motorcycles, SUVs, RVs, boats, and many other vehicle types as explained on our vehicle removal page. Contact us to discuss your specific vehicle type.

If your vehicle has an outstanding loan or lien, the situation becomes more complex. The lienholder (typically a bank or finance company) technically owns the vehicle until the loan is paid off, which means you don't have a clear title.

In most cases, any lien holder listed on the title must be cleared and released by the bank before we can accept the donation. You may need to pay off the remaining balance and obtain a lien release document before donation.

However, each situation is unique—call us at 1-855-278-9474 to discuss your specific circumstances. Learn more about our donation program and title requirements.

You can contact our team at 1-855-278-9474 any time to check on where your donation is in the process. For the most part, you can sit back and relax while we handle all the details—from pickup to title transfer to sale.

You'll receive your tax-deductible receipt in the mail after your vehicle is sold, which serves as confirmation that the process is complete. Our easiest car donation process means you don't have to worry about tracking every step.

You can only donate a vehicle if you have the title and it's in your name. If you inherited a vehicle, you must first complete your state's legal transfer process to get the title in your name before donation.

For estates, the executor or legal owner listed on the title must complete the donation, or the title must be properly transferred first. Check our information on where to donate old cars and contact us if you have questions about your specific inheritance or estate situation.

Your vehicle donation benefits Make-A-Wish chapters throughout the United States. When you donate, you benefit your local Make-A-Wish chapter by default, but you can choose to designate a different Make-A-Wish chapter if you prefer.

All proceeds from Wheels For Wishes donations support Make-A-Wish exclusively, helping grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. Visit our chapter list to see all the Make-A-Wish chapters we support and learn more about why choosing Wheels For Wishes makes such a meaningful impact for wish kids.

Yes, you'll be notified when your vehicle is sold through the tax-deductible receipt we mail to you. The timeline varies by vehicle, but if you donate your vehicle during the calendar year, you can claim your tax deduction for that tax year.

You'll need to wait until tax season to claim your tax benefits when filing your return. The entire process from pickup to receipt typically takes 4-12 weeks. Read our car donation testimonials to see what other donors have experienced with our efficient process.

While we accept most vehicles in almost any condition, there are some exceptions. We evaluate every donation on a case-by-case basis considering factors like vehicle type, condition, location, and towing accessibility.

For detailed information about specific vehicle types and conditions we can and cannot accept, please visit our vehicle acceptance criteria page. If you're unsure about your specific vehicle, call us at 1-855-278-9474 and our team will let you know right away.

Yes, all of your personal information is handled securely throughout the donation process. We take privacy seriously and protect your data.

Remember to remove any personal belongings from your vehicle before donation, but don't worry about any paperwork or documentation still in the car—we handle all sensitive materials appropriately. Learn more about our professional, secure process on our Is Wheels For Wishes Legit? page, where you can see how donors trust our organization.

Scheduling flexibility depends on your location and our local towing partners' availability. When you contact us, our team will work with you to find a convenient pickup time that fits your schedule.

While we can't guarantee weekend or evening pickups in all areas, we do our best to accommodate your timing needs. Call us at 1-855-278-9474 when you're ready to donate your car, and we'll discuss available scheduling options for your area.

Yes! Preparing your vehicle properly can help maximize its value and your tax deduction. We've created a comprehensive guide on vehicle donation preparation that walks you through steps you can take.

However, keep in mind that removing major parts or components might actually decrease value, and extensive repairs usually aren't cost-effective. Simple cleaning and ensuring you have all necessary documentation are often the best approaches.

In most cases, yes! We accept vehicles in almost any condition, including those with missing parts, collision damage, rust, or mechanical failure. While vehicles with all parts intact typically generate higher proceeds, even damaged vehicles have value through recycling.

For specific information about what we can accept based on your vehicle's condition, please review our vehicle acceptance criteria page. We also accept junk cars as explained in our various city pages and resources.

Some states require you to remove and return plates to the DMV, while others allow them to stay with the vehicle. Our experienced team will provide clear instructions based on your location when you call 1-855-278-9474.

This depends on how the names are listed on the title and your state's specific laws. If the title lists multiple owners with "and" between names, typically all parties need to sign.

If it lists owners with "or," usually only one signature is required. State regulations vary, so the best approach is to call us at 1-855-278-9474 and our title specialists can help you determine exactly what's needed for your situation.

Yes! Vehicles that have failed emissions or safety inspections can still be donated in most cases. It’s important to note that we accept vehicles on a case-by-case basis.

We accept vehicles regardless of inspection status because even vehicles that can't pass inspection have value through our donation program. Many non-functioning donated vehicles are recycled rather than resold, so inspection status doesn't prevent donation.

For complete details about acceptable vehicle conditions, visit our vehicle acceptance criteria page. Your failed-inspection vehicle can still help grant wishes for local children through Make-A-Wish.