If you have questions or concerns when making Bay Area car donations, there are resources for help. The Better Business Bureau provides consumer information and protection. The BBB can let you know if the charity you plan to give to is in good standing and whether it has a history of complaints. Another resource is the California Department of Consumer Affairs, at 1-800-952-5210. If you experience problems when making your car donation in the Bay Area, you can call this toll-free number.


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From the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation to The House Rabbit Society Adoption and Education Center, to the Lindsey Wildlife Center in the San Francisco Bay Area, the choices abound for Bay Area car donations, with ample community-based and national organizations offering programs to benefit their causes. But how to choose the right charity for your car donation? Follow your heart and use common sense. Pick a charity with causes that interest you. But be an informed donor when making your gift. Make sure that the organization is registered as a 501(c)3 non-profit. Ask to see the charity's certification, or check with the state Attorney General's Office. Non-profit status ensures that the charity focuses on its mission. The listing also is necessary if you want to take a tax deduction for your gift.


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Donate Car For Charity Tip: When you make a boat donation -- or any vehicle donation -- there is some extra work involved if you want the tax write-off. Most Americans do not itemize deductions when filing their income taxes, but if you make a boat donation and want the tax deduction, you will have to do the paperwork. - You must itemize your boat donation on Schedule A of IRS Form 1040. - If the boat donation is valued at more than $500, you also will need IRS Form 8283 for "Noncash Charitable Contributions." - Fill out this form and attach it to your tax return. Don't be intimidated by the paperwork. Help is at hand. Often the charities provide easy-to-follow directions on accessing the necessary forms. It's always a good idea to consult with an accountant or seek help from the IRS, which publishes free taxpayer guides. Its Web site is www.irs.gov.


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When making boat donations, the donors may need to come up with the vessels' fair market value, in order to get a tax deduction. What is fair market value? It is the price between a willing seller and willing buyer, with full disclosure of the boat's condition. Fair market value is not a guess but a calculation. For help, check pricing guides in your area. Find out what comparable boats in similar condition recently sold for. Then document your research, in case the IRS has questions later.


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