How to Donate a Car in Kansas: A Complete Guide for Drivers
Why You Can Trust EverQuote
EverQuote powers millions of shopper requests every month, teaming up with industry-leading insurance specialists to address real-world challenges faced by people every day. We partner with the largest insurance providers in the nation, and our content is carefully crafted by experts and reviewed by licensed insurance agents for accuracy and relevance.
Donating a car is a great way to give back to those in need and reap potential tax benefits. However, the process may seem overwhelming if it is your first vehicle donation. Below, we'll help you gain a firm understanding of car donation in Kansas. We’ll walk you through the critical steps so you can focus on enjoying the benefits of car donation.
Choose a Reputable Charity for Your Donation
Picking the best charity to donate your car to is a critical step. Not all charities are created equal, so research is vital in this phase.
Start by looking for charities that align with your values and have a great record of using donations to support their causes. You can perform in-depth research on various organizations you’re considering through websites like Charity Navigator. These sites give you a glimpse into each charity’s transparency, financial health, and accountability.
You may also want to contact the charity directly and ask what it does with vehicle donations. You may learn some charities keep donated vehicles and use them to provide services, whereas others sell them and use the proceeds to fund the organization. Both scenarios are legitimate, but this gives insight into the charity’s process and intentions.
Understand the Vehicle Donation Process
Having a firm grasp on the process of car donation in Kansas can help streamline everything. In most donations, you can expect to go through three main steps:
- Contacting the charity
- Scheduling a pickup
- Completing required paperwork
Once you choose the right charity and contact it, the charitable organization often requires you to complete a donation form. The form may be available online, but some organizations may have you complete it in person.
After you complete the donation form, most charities will contact you to schedule a vehicle pickup. If you’re donating a non-operational vehicle, the charity will arrange to have a tow truck retrieve it.
Every charity's process will have various nuances, so ask plenty of questions to make sure you fully understand it.
Prepare Your Car for Donation
Preparation is a critical step when you donate a car in Kansas. While many charities are happy to receive any vehicle, operational or not, proper vehicle preparation helps the charity use your donation to the fullest.
Preparatory steps you can take before a Kansas car donation include:
- Remove personal belongings: If the charity chooses to sell your donated vehicle, you don’t want your personal information to fall into random people’s hands.
- Clean the car: Though some charities accept vehicles in all conditions, a thorough cleaning can help the charity better assess the car’s value. If cleaning the car helps increase its value, this benefits you when it’s time to claim tax credits and deductions.
- Perform minor repairs: Fixing small issues, such as flat tires or dead batteries, can increase the vehicle’s value and make it easier for the charity to capitalize on your generous donation.
Gather Necessary Documentation
Organizing and preparing all the required documents to legally donate a car in Kansas can make the process much smoother. Fortunately, Kansas has only one requirement for donating a vehicle: a clear, signed title in your name. This is the only way the charity can legally complete the title transfer.
Some charities may have additional requirements specific to their processes, such as the car’s registration or your state identification. Always ask about these requirements and note them during your initial conversation with each charity.
When you donate your vehicle, you must remove the license plates, turn them in to the nearest county treasurer's motor vehicle office, and notify the Kansas Department of Revenue of the donation by mailing in a Seller's Notification of Sale and a $10 fee.
Benefits of Donating Your Vehicle
Of course, the first and most obvious benefit to donating your vehicle is quickly clearing out a large item you no longer need. However, other benefits exist, including:
- Gain a tax deduction: Depending on how you file your taxes, the vehicle’s final determined value, and how the charity uses the car, you may be able to claim a sizable tax deduction when you file your next return.
- Support a local cause: Giving your vehicle to a charity supports the organization’s good cause.
- Reduce environmental impact: Donating a vehicle to a charity puts the car to good use and reduces automotive waste.
Evaluate the Condition of Your Vehicle
Evaluating your vehicle’s condition before donating it is a great idea. This can help you establish the vehicle’s fair market value, which you can use as your tax deduction in specific circumstances.
Factors to consider when establishing its condition include:
- Vehicle age: An older vehicle may not hold its value as well as a newer one, which can impact its sale price or fair market value.
- Mechanical functionality: A vehicle that runs and drives as expected will have a higher potential value than one with mechanical issues or that doesn’t run at all.
- Physical condition: A well-maintained vehicle free from damage with an attractive exterior will often carry a higher value.
Get a Free Car Insurance Quote Today To Make Sure You’re Fully Protected Before Donating!
When you donate a car in Kansas, you can remove it from your Kansas car insurance policy and save money. This is a great time to maximize your savings by comparing multiple car insurance premiums for free at EverQuote.