Situation Guide · Car

Donate a Car Online

The short version: Donating online takes 60 seconds. Submit our form with vehicle year/make/model + your contact info, get an immediate confirmation email with your reference number. A real person calls within 1 business day to schedule pickup. Entire process is digital except for signing the title at pickup.

How the online flow works

1. Visit /donate-car (or any vehicle-specific page like /donate-truck-suv, /donate-motorcycle, /donate-boat). 2. Fill in 5 fields: name, phone, email, ZIP, vehicle description. 3. Submit. Within ~5 seconds you see a confirmation page with your reference number (CHK-XXXXXXXX) and you receive a confirmation email from donate@carshelpingkids.org. 4. A real person from Cars Helping Kids calls you within 1 business day (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm ET) to confirm address and schedule pickup. 5. Tow driver shows up at the agreed time, you sign the title, they leave with the car. Done.

Total donor time investment: about 60 seconds for the form + 5 minutes on the confirmation call + signing the title at pickup.

Why online is the fastest path

Calling means you wait on hold or get voicemail outside our business hours. The online form is available 24/7 and creates an instant record. Even if you fill it out at 2am, we'll call you back during business hours the next day.

Most of our donations now come through the online form, with phone calls reserved for complicated situations (no title, fleet donations, joint-title divorce cases).

What we send back

Immediately: confirmation email with reference number and 'what happens next' summary. Within 30-45 days of pickup: IRS Form 1098-C with the actual sale price (your tax deduction). Sent by email and viewable at /receipt anytime with your reference number.

No paperwork mailing required from your end. Everything is digital except the title signature at pickup.

Ready to donate?

Call or text 770-871-9422, or fill the 60-second donation form. Pickup typically within 24-48 hours. IRS Form 1098-C tax receipt emailed after sale.

Schedule My Pickup → Call 770-871-9422

Frequently asked questions

Can I donate a car after car online?

Yes. Cars Helping Kids accepts vehicles in nearly every donor situation including car online. Call 770-871-9422 to discuss the specifics; most edge cases are solvable with the right paperwork.

Will I get a tax deduction for donating in this situation?

Yes. Regardless of situation, your federal tax deduction equals the actual auction sale price on IRS Form 1098-C (or up to $500 under the safe-harbor rule for low-value sales). Consult a tax advisor for your specific situation.

What paperwork is required for car online?

Standard: clear title in your name plus the vehicle. Additional paperwork may include: lien release (if past loan), death certificate + executor papers (if inherited), insurance total-loss letter (if salvage), or DMV duplicate title (if lost).