Frequently Asked Questions


Please call us if you have any questions not answered in this F.A.Q. 877-956-0956

When I donate my car do I have to pay anything?

No, there is no cost to you at all! We handle towing and all of the necessary state forms to transfer the vehicle.

Where does my money go towards?

Your tax deductible donation will go towards helping our heroes in the military. Learn more on our Our Mission page.

Are there any forms I need to fill out in order to claim a tax deduction?

Once the value of your donation has been determined we will provide you with a completed IRS form 1098-C if the value of your vehicle is over $500. When you submit your federal income tax return you will need to include a form 8283, which lists any donations you have made. The form 1098-C we provide to you will have all the information you or your tax professional will need to complete form 8283.

What areas do you serve?

We can come to you Nationwide. Your car will always be picked up for free and we can schedule a time that is convenient to you. Call us @ (877) 956-0956 to speak to one of our specialists.

What condition does my car need to be in to be donated?

We will accept any vehicle, even if it requires repairs in order to be valuable. In some cases we will sell the vehicle as is and in other cases we will make the repairs before selling the vehicle or putting it into service. If a vehicle cannot be repaired we may recycle the vehicle. Fill out our online donation form or call (877) 956-0956 to speak to one of our specialists.

How quickly can you pickup my car?

We can pickup your as quickly as the same day! Call one of our experts @ (877) 956-0956 to schedule a time convenient for you.

Do I have to provide any documentation when I donate my car?

Yes, we require that you have clear title to the vehicle. You must clear any liens or loans against the vehicle before it can be donated.

The car is not registered in my name. Can I still donate it and deduct it?

Yes, you can donate the vehicle, as long as you have clear title that has been signed off by the owner on record and a supplemental transfer form or receipt from the owner on record transferring the vehicle to you. You should consult with a tax advisor to ensure this will be acceptable for donation purposes.

How does all of this work? What’s the procedure once I agree to donate my car?

First, we will record the information about your vehicle either over the phone or online so that we can notify the appropriate towing company to retrieve it. The tow company will confirm the time to pick up the vehicle. Once the tow driver arrives he will provide you with a liability release form and receipt, collect the title and transport the car back to one of our facilities. In some cases we will make repairs to the vehicle in order to prepare it for sale, in other cases it will be taken directly to an auction and in some cases it will be put into service by the DVEN. Within 30 days of the vehicle being sold, we will complete IRS form 1098-C and mail it to out to you if the value of the vehicle is over $500.

Do I have any liability issues?

No. When we come to pick up your vehicle you will need to complete a California Release of Liability Form, which is attached to your title. If your Release of Liability Form is missing you can complete one online using the California DMV web site.

What if I don’t have the pink slip?

It is still possible to donate without a pink slip/title. Please speak to one of our experts @ (877) 956-0956.

Can I deduct my donation on my taxes?

If you itemize your taxes then you should be able to deduct the value of the vehicle. DVEN is non-profit 501 C3, EIN 81-1880936 and donations to it are tax deductible.  We cannot offer tax advice however and recommend that you consult the IRS web site or your tax advisor for more detailed information.
Here are some resources from the IRS that may assist you in determining a tax strategy:


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    Car Donation Program

    There is no cost to you.
    We will come and pick up your vehicle right from your home or office

    We handle the paperwork and will provide you with the receipts you need to deduct the donation from your taxes

    No need to go through the time and frustration of selling or repairing that unwanted car; get a tax write off and help our soldiers at the same time

    We will accept other donations such as:

    Car Donation
    Van Donation
    SUV Donation
    Vehicle Donation
    Truck Donation
    Boat Donation
    Jet Ski
    Donation
    Snowmobile Donation
    Trailer Donation
    Motorcycle Donation
    Motorhome Donation
    Automobile Donation
    RV Donation
    Forklift Donation
    Tractor Donation
    Heavy Equipment Donation

    Did You Know?

    Recent history indicates that unemployment among military service veterans is higher than the national average.

    The unemployment rate among people who served in the military since 2001 was 11.6% in October 2009.

    18% of veterans that left military service in the past one to three years were unemployed.

    The top 3 types of positions for recent enlisted service members after leaving the military: 14% Protective Services; 11% Installation, Maintenance, or Repair; 9% Construction or Extraction.