FAQ
What happens to my donated vehicle?
Our primary objective is to refurbish donated vehicles into safe, reliable transportation for our neighbors in need. Unlike most car donation programs that simply sell donated vehicles at auction, Momentum Garage places vehicles directly with recipients.
Our team evaluates each vehicle to make sure it can be safe and reliable for at least two years, and we invest in reasonable repairs as needed.
If repairs would cost more than a vehicle is worth, we may sell it, or sell it for parts or scrap, to fund our program. For high-value or luxury vehicles, we decide case by case whether to refurbish the vehicle for a recipient or sell it to help several neighbors.
Why donate my vehicle instead of selling it?
Donating your vehicle to Momentum Garage gives it a second life and directly improves mobility for someone in your community. Your gift helps neighbors get to jobs, school, and essential services. Plus, your donation is tax-deductible, and depending on what happens to your vehicle, you may be able to deduct its full fair market value. See the tax question below.
Can I donate a vehicle that doesn’t run?
Yes. We accept vehicles whether they run or not, and we’ll arrange free pickup for vehicles that don’t.
Why choose Momentum Garage over other car donation programs?
Most programs auction off donated vehicles to fund their operations. We refurbish vehicles for reliability and place them directly with vetted members of our community. Your donation creates a real, local impact by giving your neighbors the mobility they need.
Who qualifies to receive a vehicle?
Momentum Garage relies on local churches and community organizations to vet and refer recipients, which keeps the process fair and community-driven. Our ideal recipients are employed, have a permanent residence, and currently drive an insured vehicle, which shows they can maintain and insure the car we provide.
If you’re facing transportation challenges, please reach out to a local church, community center, or nonprofit (such as your parish, United Way, or community action agency) for a referral to our program.
What are the tax benefits of donating my vehicle?
Your vehicle donation is tax-deductible. How much you can deduct depends on what happens to your vehicle, and the Form 1098-C we send you will show which path applies.
1. Your vehicle goes to a qualified recipient: deduct its fair market value.
Placing vehicles with qualified recipients is our main mission. When we give your vehicle to a vetted recipient, or sell it to them well below market value, you may deduct the vehicle’s full fair market value. We send your Form 1098-C within 30 days of your donation.
2. Your vehicle is sold at fair market value: deduct the sale price.
Some vehicles do more good by funding our program, such as high-value vehicles or ones that aren’t a good fit for a recipient. When we sell a vehicle at fair market value, your deduction is the amount it sold for. We send your Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale, showing the sale date and price.
3. Your vehicle is sold for parts or scrap: deduct the amount we receive.
If a vehicle can’t be made safe and reliable at a reasonable cost, we sell it for parts or scrap and put the proceeds into our program. Your deduction is the amount we receive. If that’s $500 or less, you may deduct the vehicle’s fair market value up to $500, and we’ll give you a written receipt instead of a Form 1098-C.
Good to know
For a deduction over $500, we need your Social Security or taxpayer ID number for the IRS. Your copy of the form shows only the last four digits.
If you claim more than $5,000 under path 1, the IRS requires a qualified appraisal. We’ll sign the form your appraiser gives you.
Always consult a tax professional about your deduction. IRS Publication 4303, “A Donor’s Guide to Vehicle Donation,” and IRS Publication 561, “Determining the Value of Donated Property,” have more detail.
How do I determine my vehicle’s fair market value?
We can help you estimate your vehicle’s value using trusted guides like Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com), J.D. Power, formerly NADA Guides (jdpower.com/cars), and Edmunds (edmunds.com). Use the private-party value for a vehicle in its actual condition. For older or collectible vehicles these guides may not list, recent sales of similar vehicles are a better measure.
We’ll send you the valuation report along with the tax forms you need to claim your deduction. We make it easy!
Can I donate cash to Momentum Garage?
Absolutely! Cash donations help us maintain our shop, buy parts, repair vehicles, and support our mission. Donate online, or reach out to discuss other ways to give.