I think I've made an expensive error on a car donation

[emma14]

So I donated a vehicle to my local HS's training program and it is a legit place to donate.

I got the 1098-C -- 5A is checked and box 7 is not checked.

Back when I donated it, I did various searches to determine its average value given its condition: about $14,000.

I didn't realize until doing my taxes that I was also going to need an appraisal.  I do have a CarMax offer -- would that suffice for an appraisal?  

If CarMax isn't an appraiser, should I call the school and see if they have sold it yet?  The students are not only learning how to repair cars, they also learn how to sell them.  I would imagine given the used car market, they were able to sell at the CarMax offer.

Or am I doomed to only taking the $500 deduction?  

[RobertB4444]

$500 is the max deduction for an unsold vehicle.  If they sell it for more than $500 then you can deduct the full sale price.  I would wait until they sell it and deduct it in the year that it is sold.  

[emma14]

I relooked at Publication 4303 -- dedicated to auto and boat donations.  I didn't see anything about being allowed to take the deduction in a different year than the donation year.  

Pub 4303 referenced another Pub about appraisals.  It looks as if CarMax is a valid appraisal in this instance.  

I ended up calling the charity seller because I found their webpage where they announced the sale of refurbished autos and PCs.   He had the sale price handy and it was above the CarMax offer and the dealer sales.  It's a crazy market for used cars.  

In order to file, I need his signature on Form 8453.  If I don't get his signature, the max that can be deducted is $5000.  School is actually in spring break, so it looks as if I'll be filing for an extension.