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AMERICAN RED CROSS OF WESTERN CONNECTICUT

VEHICLE DONATION PROGRAM

How does the program work? Individuals and companies donate used vehicles and real estate in return for a charitable tax deduction. In many cases the fair market value of your donation may be actually higher than the price you would receive if you sold your property yourself. The Red Cross benefits by having your donation auctioned or sold with the proceeds being used to fund its many programs and services. The Western Connecticut Chapter reserves the right not to accept a donation. In some cases, we ask the donor to consider a charitable contribution along with the vehicle.

How to begin making your donation?

1. You must provide the Red Cross with a clear title before we have your vehicle picked up. If the vehicle was purchased with a loan, you must obtain a Letter of Satisfaction of Lien from the loan company confirming that the loan has been paid in full.
    
2. You must complete a "Certificate of Vehicle Donation" form (call 203-792-8200) and return it with your title and or letter of Satisfaction of Lien. Upon receipt of the title, Red Cross will notify a salvage company, which will call you directly to arrange for the towing of your vehicle. You will be issued a temporary receipt.

   IMPORTANT***TITLE ASSIGNMENT OF OWNERSHIP. Leave blank the name and address of the person you are transferring the title to. Complete all other sections of the Assignment of Ownership, which includes the odometer reading, your signature and your address. Under Lien Holder write "None" since Red Cross will not accept any vehicle that has a lien against it.

   Red Cross will send you a confirmation receipt regarding your donation. It is up to you, the donor to determine the fair market value of the vehicle. You can use newspapers, magazines, or Kelley Blue Book guidelines to determine you vehicle’s value. Also refer to IRS Publications #521 and #526.
    

3. If you claim a charitable contribution deduction of more than $500, you must attach IRS Form 8283 to the Federal Income Tax Return on which the deduction is shown. If your claim for the charitable contribution is more than $5,000 for a vehicle deduction, you must obtain an appraisal of the vehicle and the signature of an authorized representative of the Western Connecticut American Red Cross on Part IV, Section B of Form 8283, and must provide the Red Cross with a copy of the form.