Boat Donation.
Max Tax Receipt.
IRS Form 1098-C.

Boat donations and IRS Form 1098-C

The IRS treats boat donations exactly like car donations under Publication 4303. Your deduction is generally the gross sale price the charity receives at auction or direct sale, reported to you on IRS Form 1098-C. Boats selling for $500 or less qualify for the same fair-market-value-up-to-$500 small-donation rule that applies to cars.

For larger boats (typical pontoon/runabout/cabin-cruiser sale prices), the deduction often runs $3,000–$25,000+. Donors in higher tax brackets see meaningful itemized-deduction savings — at the 24% bracket, a $12,000 deduction is $2,880 in real federal tax savings, plus state-tax savings in most states. Your accountant runs the actual numbers.

When consignment beats straight donation

If your boat is worth more than about $8,000–$10,000, consignment may pay you more than a straight donation's tax savings. Under consignment, we sell the boat on your behalf, you receive a share of the proceeds (typical 70–85% for higher-value boats), and you can still claim a charitable deduction on the gifted portion. The math: 75% cash plus a 25% deduction often beats 100% deduction at most tax brackets.

We'll run the comparison honestly during intake. If donation is the better path for your boat and tax bracket, we'll tell you. We don't push consignment unless it nets you more.