Vehicle Donation FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Hours of Operation: 7:00am – 5:00pm, Mon-Fri
If calling after normal business hours, please leave a detailed message and someone will return your call as soon as possible.

Vehicle Donation Program

Questions You May Have Regarding Your Vehicle Donations

Hours of Operation:

7:00am – 5:00pm, Mon-Fri
If calling after normal business hours, please leave a detailed message and someone will return your call as soon as possible.

The Vehicle Donation Process

How do I check on the status of my car or get other answers?

We are available Monday through Friday. Please call 602-526-3157 or email [email protected] to get the answers to your questions.

What sets our vehicle donation program apart from other programs?

SUN SOUNDS OF ARIZONA Vehicle Donation Program has recently partnered with the Arizona Humane Society Vehicle Donation Program and through this partnership we are changing the traditional ways of donating a vehicle. Unlike most car donation programs, SUN SOUNDS OF ARIZONA and AHS will take the time to make necessary repairs before we list and sell your vehicle to the public. Because of repairs and selling practices these vehicles generate up to 300% more net revenue on average than they would at an auction house. This maximizes your car’s value, so your donation has the greatest impact possible, while also giving you a larger tax write-off.

What are the benefits of donating a vehicle to SUN SOUNDS OF ARIZONA?

It’s easy, fun, free and secure! We convert vehicles into cash, which becomes a welcome donation to SUN SOUNDS OF ARIZONA. Your gift may qualify for a tax deduction and you avoid the cost and hassle of repairing or selling a car you no longer want.

Are there any costs?

No. There is no cost to the donor. All expenses are deducted from the gross sales price, and if the costs ever exceed the price, those costs are covered by our vehicle donation program provider.

What types of vehicles do you accept?

All vehicles are considered! We strive to accept all types of donated vehicles, running or not, including cars, trucks, trailers, boats, RVs, motorcycles, campers, off-road vehicles, planes, heavy equipment, farm machinery, and most other motorized vehicles. To find out if we can accept your vehicle, please complete our secure online vehicle donation form, or call us 602-526-3157 during regular hours of operation.

Does my car have to be registered?

This varies from state to state. Please give us a call at 602-526-3157 and we will provide you with the information needed to complete your donation.

Do I need a smog certificate or safety inspection to donate my vehicle?

No. For states with this requirement, you may donate your vehicle without a smog certificate or safety inspection.

My car doesn’t run or hasn’t been used in years. Can I still donate it?

Yes! We can accept most vehicles, running or not. However, it must be in one piece and towable, have an engine, and be tow truck accessible. To find out if we can accept your vehicle, please complete our secure online vehicle donation form, or call us at 602-526-3157 Monday through Friday during regular hours of operation.

Where do I sign my Title?

It varies, so please wait to mark the Title until after you have discussed it with the vendor picking up your vehicle as they are experts in your local area. If you have questions, you can call us at 602-526-3157 to speak to someone on our team.

Can you pick up vehicles in all 50 states?

Yes! Our vehicle donation program can provide quick and convenient vehicle pick-up and towing just about anywhere in all 50 states. If you are outside of Arizona, and have questions about donating to KBACH, please contact us via our secure online vehicle donation form, or call us at 602-526-3157 Monday through Friday during regular hours of operation.

How will my vehicle be picked up?

Once you have provided us with all necessary information via the online vehicle donation form or over the phone with someone from our team, we will arrange to have a licensed tow company pick up your vehicle at a time convenient for you.

How quickly can I have my vehicle picked up?

In many cases, once the donation record has been created, we can schedule the vehicle to be picked up within 48 hours. If you need your car picked up sooner, please let us know. We will do our best to accommodate your time frame. For more specific information pertaining to your vehicle donation, please call us at 602-526-3157 during regular hours of operation.

What do you do with donated vehicles?

Donated vehicles are sold through the used-car markets and provide crucial funding for SUN SOUNDS OF ARIZONA programs. We work alongside the Arizona Humane Society to repair and sell the vehicle in order to maximize donation proceeds. We analyze vendor pricing and performance on a regular basis to improve the process and ensure the best possible return for SUN SOUNDS OF ARIZONA and to maximize the donor’s tax benefit.

How long is the entire process from the pickup to when SUN SOUNDS OF ARIZONA receives its funds?

We have multiple sales outlets and work hard to find the best buyer for each vehicle. The entire sale process may take four to 12 weeks. The net cash proceeds from your generous vehicle donation are sent to SUN SOUNDS OF ARIZONA within five business days upon the receipt of the sale proceeds from auction or direct buyer providers.

What if I don’t have the Title or have Title issues?

In most states, you will need the clear Title to the vehicle. But if you do not have it, or have problems with your Title, please call us anyway. It is possible that other arrangements may be made. Any lien holder listed on the Title must be cleared and/or released by the bank. Please refer to the motor vehicle division in your state for clear instructions. We are also available Monday through Friday during regular hours of operation. Please call us at 602-526-3157.

Are cars sold at auction?

Unlike most car donation programs, we sell directly to the public—so your donation has the greatest impact possible.

Will I be notified when it sells?

Yes. Once your vehicle sells, we will either email and/or mail a thank-you letter on behalf of SUN SOUNDS OF ARIZONA, which serves as a copy of your tax receipt. Please note that if your vehicle sells for more than $500 and your tax identification number has been provided, an IRS Form 1098-C, ‘Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes’, will be mailed to you within 30 days of the sale stating the amount of gross proceeds received from your donation.

Who operates the SUN SOUNDS OF ARIZONA Vehicle Donation Program?

*Friends of Public Radio Arizona (“FPRAZ”; EIN 01-0579687) and Arizona Humane Society (“AHS”; EIN 86-0135567) partner in a joint vehicle donation program to maximize proceeds supporting the mission and maximize the tax deduction for the donor.

Vehicle Donation Tax Benefits

Is my vehicle donation tax-deductible?

Yes! Vehicle donations are tax-deductible. Individual tax situations vary. For specific tax- related questions, please consult your tax advisor or refer to IRS Publication 4303.

How is the value of my tax deduction determined?

Most vehicles are repaired and sold to private buyers and we work to get the highest return per vehicle for you and SUN SOUNDS OF ARIZONA. If it is determined that a vehicle cannot be repaired by the AHS Vehicle Program than the vehicle will proceed through the auction process. According to the IRS Guidelines, you may claim fair market value for your donation up to the actual sale value. If your vehicle is sold for more than $500, the maximum amount of your deduction will be the sales price of the vehicle which will be listed on your IRS Form 1098-C.

A special rule may apply if the donated vehicle sells for $500 or less. In this case, a deduction for the lesser of the vehicle’s fair market value on the date of the contribution may be claimed, or $500, provided you have written acknowledgment (i.e. the initial donation receipt or the thank-you letter you receive once the donation process is complete).

Defining the Fair Market Value

The “fair market value” of a vehicle is the price that you could sell it for in its current condition to another individual, willing seller and willing buyer, and it represents the cash that you give up to make the donation. A convenient source of this information is the private party sale value as shown in online valuation guides such as Kelley Blue Book ( https://www.kbb.com/company/faq/new-cars/#whatIsFairMarketRange).

What tax forms will I receive and how do I receive them?

In most cases, you will receive an initial donation receipt from the tow driver at the time of your vehicle pick-up. This initial acknowledgement will indicate your name as well as the year, make, model and condition of the vehicle you are donating. You will then be mailed a thank-you letter on behalf of SUN SOUNDS OF ARIZONA, which serves as a tax receipt, within 30 days of the sale of the vehicle. This will be your final tax document if your vehicle sold for less than $500.

If your vehicle sells for more than $500 and your tax identification number has been provided, an IRS Form 1098-C, ‘Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes’, will be mailed to you within 30 days of the sale stating the amount of gross proceeds received from your donation.

How do I request a donation or tax receipt?

Please call us at 602-526-3157 during regular hours of operation, or email [email protected], and we would be happy to help you.

What if my vehicle is valued over $5,000?

Effective January 1, 2005, you are no longer required to have vehicles appraised. The value you may claim will be the amount of gross proceeds received from your vehicle. If your vehicle sells for more than $5,000, you will need to complete Section B of Form 8283 and obtain an acknowledgment signature on the form prior to claiming the deduction, and the completed form will need to be included with your income tax return.

Where can I find additional IRS tax deduction requirements for a charitable car donation?

There are many resources available to guide you through the vehicle donation process. Please click the links below to access IRS publications and resources. If you still have questions, please feel free to reach out to us at 602-526-3157 during regular hours of operation.

Privacy Policy

This vehicle donation program protects the privacy of every donor. Donor information is not given to any organization except the IRS as required by law. Donor names and addresses are shared exclusively with the donor-designated organization. Social Security numbers required under the current tax law for vehicle donations are only shared with the IRS. Social Security Numbers are encrypted with AES256 encryption. The encryption key is stored remotely from the data. Controls are in place to limit who can request access to the decrypted Social Security Numbers with logs stored of each access.

State Notification

Do I need to notify my local Motor Vehicle Division when I donate my vehicle?

State Notification proves that you are no longer the registered owner of the donated vehicle. Depending on the registered state of the vehicle, your next step (after your vehicle has been picked up) is to notify the state about your recent vehicle donation. Please only notify your state after the vehicle is picked up. This step may be required by the State and may include surrendering the license plates.

The steps needed to release your liability of a donated vehicle vary by state. Our Vehicle Donor Service Representatives can provide you with the steps necessary for each state. If you have questions about how to notify your state about your donated vehicle, please give us a call at 602-526-3157 Monday through Friday during regular hours of operation, or email [email protected].