Chicago is the third-most densely populated major city in the U.S with more than 2.8 million people. While Chicago is a major transportation, Chicago residents obviously love to drive and eventually donate cars to charity. In recent years, an increasing number of charities have turned to car donation programs as an effective way to raise money in US.

Used cars are often donated in Chicago rather than being sold. Car donation in Chicago seems much easier than trying to sell or trade in vehicles by yourself! When you donate a car to charity, you avoid all of the hassles associated with selling a car. Besides, you are going to get some monetary value through tax deduction and the receiving gifts from charitable organizations. As statistics of GAO, among 129 million individual returns filed for tax year 2000, there were 733,000 returns had a tax deduction for a car donation. These donations had valuation of about $2.5 billion, reducing taxpayer liability by an estimated $654 million.

The car or any kind of vehicles does not need to be in very good condition to be donated. In some cases, it sometimes can be in running or not running condition. However, most donating cars must have an engine, tires, and be tow-able. Donating Cars that are in extremely poor condition may be declined because the cost to tow them may be more than the value of the vehicle.

Car donation is an easy process in Chicago, the only paperwork required is a signed, clear title. Make sure you have the title for the car when you call-in your donation. Also, the smog certification is not needed if the owner or buyer signs a statement that smog certification was submitted with renewal fees within 90 days prior to the transfer date. When your car is picked up, the tow truck driver will give you a document called a towing receipt. The towing receipt is a legal document and should be kept carefully. Remember not to allow your car to be picked up unless you are given a towing receipt.

It is now a common knowledge that you can get tax deduction when you donate car to charity in Chicago. That process will be accessed by the Internal Revenue Service and will reflect in your next annual tax fix. The amount of tax deduction you get is absolutely dependent on the value of the car you donated. Up to 2005 the charity would value the car donation but recently this is the car owners’ responsibility. When you are donating your car or truck you will have to justify the value that you want the tax receipt to have on it. You need to fill in an appropriate form in the IRS document to have you car donation assessed if the car's market value is less than $5,000 but is more than $500. In a case where the value of the car you donated is less than $500, you may just go ahead and remove the sum from your tax bill.

Due to the increasing numbers of car donation to charity in Chicago, Car Donation Centers in Chicago have also increased in order to go with the trend. Here is a list of the different car donation centers which offer services when it comes to car donation:

Donate a Car 2 Charity provides convenient and free towing, free pickup facility of car donations across the nation. There is no hassle or no hidden costs! Besides, this center evaluates your donated car to determine your options and provide the best possible tax deduction.

Donation Line is one of the largest, most visited and trusted vehicle donation centers in America. As a member of Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating, Donation Line ensures that all aspects of the vehicle donation process are handled professionally and efficiently. This includes speedy, free pickup facility and IRS compliant tax deduction documentation. They accept any car donation; anywhere is the United States, running or not. In many states in US, you can still donate your car even if you lost your car’s title.

Kars4kids Car Donation program will accept your used car donations. With your car donation, you'll receive a tax deduction receipt, plus a free vacation voucher!

Kars4kids will provide quick hassle free pick-up, towing when you donate a car. No charge is required when you donate a car.