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.
NONCASH CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS – Depending on the amount of the
deduction you claim for the car, you may have to file an additional form
with the IRS with your Form 1040. If the deduction you are claiming for
a donated car is greater than $500, you must complete Section A of Form
8283.
If the deduction you are claiming is greater than $5,000, you must get a
written appraisal of your car (see Written Appraisal below). You must
also complete Section B of Form 8283, which must include the signature
of an authorized official of the charity, and attach it to your return.
WRITTEN APPRAISAL – Your written appraisal must be from a qualified
appraiser. See Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated
Property. The appraisal must be made no more than 60 days before you
contribute the car. You must receive the appraisal before thedue date
(including extensions) of the return on which you first claim a
deduction for the car. For a deduction
first claimed on an amended return, the appraisal must be received
before the date the amended return is filed. When you file your income
tax return (Form 1040 or Form 1040X), you will need to complete Section B
of Form 8283, and attach it to your return. If Section B is required
and the charity sells or otherwise disposes of a car within two years
after the date of receipt, the charity must file Form 8282, Donee
Information Return, with the IRS. On Form 8282, the charity reports
information identifying the donor and itself, and the amount it received
upon sale or other disposition of the car. The charity must provide you
with a copy of the form. The chart below provides items of
recordkeeping and filing requirements, based on the amount you claim as
a deduction.