Donate your CAR, TRUCK, SUV and MORE . . .
It’s fast, simple and rewarding. LMS Compassion Place (Lutheran Mission Society of Maryland) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, so your gifts are tax deductible if you itemize (please see your accountant or tax professional for more details).
We handle our own vehicle donations, so 100% of your vehicle’s proceeds go to benefit the LMS ministries. The Mission Society is also licensed by the Maryland State Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to accept vehicle donations.
Please scroll down the page for the following information . . .
- “What type of vehicle can I donate?”
- “What do I need to donate my vehicle?”
- “What does the Mission Society provide?”
- “How much is my tax deduction?”
Contact Us
Call 410-228-8437 or CLICK HERE to fill out a short form and we will contact you to answer any questions you may have, and/or to start the easy donation process.
“What type of vehicle can I donate?“
- CAR, TRUCK or SUV – Currently, we are able to accept cars, pickup trucks and SUVs in virtually ANY condition. Your car, pickup or SUV need not be in running condition — vehicle must be towable, however (all tires inflated; accessible on property to tow truck).
- BOATS – We are able to accept boats on a case-by-case basis. Because of a soft market for used boats, boat must be in good condition and MUST be on a TRAILER.
- MOTOR HOMES – We are able to accept newer motor homes in good condition on a case-by-case basis. Motor home must be safely DRIVEABLE. Towing is not available for motor homes.
- TRAILERS – We are able to accept trailers in good condition on a case-by-case basis.
- MOTORCYCLES – We are able to accept motorcycles on a case-by-case basis.
“What do I need to donate my vehicle?“
- Your Vehicle (okay, that’s obvious!) and at least one set of keys. Vehicle must be towable (tires inflated, accessible on property to tow truck). Your car, pickup or SUV need not be in running condition.
- Title for the vehicle. Title must not be previously filled in or have any erasures or alterations. If it does, you will need to get a replacement title from the MVA. For Maryland titles, this can be done online at MVA Online Services or in person at an MVA location.
- Lien Release if there was ever a loan on the vehicle (even if the loan was paid off many years ago). If the name of a Secured Party appears on the Title, you will need a Lien Release. A Lien Release sometimes will resemble a Title (usually a different color and it will say “This Is Not a Title” at the top) or it may be a signed, notarized letter from the financial institution stating that it no longer has an interest in the vehicle.
- Social Security # or Fed. Tax ID # in the event your vehicle sells for more than $500.
“What does the Mission Society provide?“
- Fast, free pickup up your vehicle, usually within a couple of days. We will tow your vehicle in most cases, but can also drive away (using our own Maryland Wholesale Dealer license tags) some roadworthy vehicles.
- You will receive a Thank You / Tax Donation letter about a week or so after we receive the vehicle and all paperwork.
- After the sale of your vehicle, you will receive another letter containing the sale price of the vehicle and the appropriate tax form for your records. Please keep both the initial letter and the second letter and accompanying documents for your records. (See your accountant or tax consultant to answer any questions concerning your tax deduction).
- You will always receive the highest quality caring, compassionate service. We handle our own vehicle donations, so we are able to provide that personal touch. Also, a copy of your vehicle donation records is always just a phone call away.
“How much is my tax deduction?“
Most donated vehicles are sold at auction by the Mission Society to provide funds for our programs and services to those in need. For taxpayers who itemize deductions, the Internal Revenue Service allows vehicle donors to take a tax deduction for the full dollar amount for which we are able to sell the donated vehicle (please see detail below). Depending on the age and condition of the vehicle, this amount may range from a scrap price (currently between $125 — $300) to a price approaching wholesale value or more. Rest assured that, along with you, the Mission Society and the sale auction want to get the maximum amount possible for your vehicle. The Mission Society will provide you with documentation for your records.
- IF YOUR VEHICLE SELLS FOR LESS THAN $500 – the IRS allows you to take the lesser of the fair market value of your vehicle at the time of the donation or $500. For example, if we sell your car for $250 and the fair market value (private party value) is $600, you are able to take a deduction for $500. So, in most cases, your minimum deduction will be $500. Private party values are available at Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds, for example.
- IF YOUR VEHICLE SELLS FOR MORE THAN $500 – you are able to deduct the full amount for which we sell your vehicle. In addition to providing you this information as part of your tax documentation, we are required to furnish this information to the IRS. If your vehicle sells for more than $500, we will then ask you for your Social Security number or Federal Tax ID number to fill out the proper IRS forms. Without an ID number, the IRS may limit your deduction to a maximum of $500.
Please see your accountant or tax consultant for more information. Click here to view the IRS booklet, A Donor’s Guide to Vehicle Donations.
car donation maryland donate car maryland donate vehicle maryland donate car maryland donate car charity car donation vehicle tax deduction car mva approved religious charity car donation christian car donation mission nonprofit car donation
