@ben_taxes
Be aware that there is an additional issue with donating a vehicle. The organization is required to give you a form 1099-C if you are claiming a value of $500 or greater, but they are not required to give you this form until they have disposed of the vehicle. You cannot claim the deduction even if the organization receives their exemption, without this form.
If the organization uses the vehicle for their charitable purpose, then you can claim the fair market value of the vehicle as your donation value. For example, if you donate to meals on wheels, and they use your vehicle to deliver meals. Or if you donate to a homeless shelter, and the shelter gives your vehicle to one of their clients so the client can take a new job.
However, if the organization sells the vehicle to raise funds, then you are limited in your donation value to the amount of funds the organization actually receives. The organization doesn’t have to provide the 1099C form until they have disposed of the vehicle, or they have determined that it will be kept and used for the charity.
Before you can amend your tax return to claim this donation, you will need the form 1099C from the charity as well as the charities final 501(c)(3) approval.
