FAQ
General Questions
Covid-19: Keeping Safe
We are ensuring your car donation experience is free from any risks of COVID. The entire donation process is contact free. You can opt for a contactless pickup: simply sign your title ahead of time and leave it along with your keys in the car with one door unlocked. If you choose to be there for the sendoff, our tow driver will be sure to maintain social distancing.
How will I receive my receipt?
Our driver will leave you a temporary receipt at your door. We'll email your tax receipt to you once your vehicle sells. We'll be happy to mail a hard copy upon request.
WHY DONATE A VEHICLE TO CHARITY?
There are a few benefits:
1. You get a fast & easy pickup of your vehicle by professionals
2. You receive a maximum Tax Deduction
3. Free Vacation Voucher
4. You get to help a charity for children
CAN I DONATE A CAR THAT DOESN’T RUN?
Sure! You can donate almost any car that doesn’t run to our charity. If you have a vehicle that hasn’t been in running condition for a while, either fill out a form online or give us a call at 1 833-PCA-KIDS - that’s 1 833-722-5437 - and we will come pick it up for free.
WHAT CAN I DONATE?
We accept car donations, RVs, trucks, boats, trailers, motorcycle, jet skis, vans, buses and snowmobiles. We can take just about any vehicle.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY CAR AFTER IT IS DONATED?
We will assess your car to decide how to sell it to make the most we can from it. The proceeds of the vehicle's sale will benefit Cars4Kids' PCA charity programs and you’ll receive a tax-deductible receipt in the amount the car sold for.
IS THERE ANY EXPENSE INVOLVED ON MY PART, LIKE TOWING CHARGES?
No. There is absolutely no charge for donation processing or pickup.
CAN I DONATE AN ABANDONED CAR?
Unfortunately we cannot accept abandoned cars. Contact the local police to list the vehicle as abandoned or find out if a local junkyard can pick up the car.
WHAT AREAS DO YOU SERVICE?
We only pick up cars across Southern California. PCA Cars4kids is currently looking for partner to work with us in order to pick up in other states.
CAN I DONATE A CAR WHOSE OWNER PASSED AWAY?
It depends. We can accept the car if you have a copy of the death certificate and documentation that you are the official inheritor of the deceased’s belongings.
PICK UP
DO I HAVE TO BE HOME WHEN YOU PICK UP MY CAR?
No! Just remove all personal belongings from the car and leave the keys and title in the glove compartment.
WHAT WILL I RECEIVE AT THE TIME OF PICKUP?
You will receive a temporary receipt from the towing company at the time of pickup. It will have all of your car’s information along with our name and phone number. You just have to notify us once the car is picked up and we will mail the tax-deductible receipt to you.
HOW QUICKLY CAN YOU PICK UP MY CAR?
We can usually arrange to have your car picked up as quickly as necessary. A local towing company will be in touch to schedule a pickup within 24 hours after you contact us. Pickup is usually scheduled for a day or two later, but if you need your car picked up sooner than that, we’ll do our best to accommodate.
WHO WILL PICK UP MY CAR?
PCA cars4kids has a network of professionally licensed, bonded and insured towing agencies throughout the California that pick up car donations. You will be contacted to arrange a time of pickup that is convenient for you, free of charge.
CAN YOU PICK UP MY CAR IF IT'S NOT AT MY HOUSE?
Sure! We can pick your car up from anywhere, be it the mechanic, or the roadside.
TAX DEDUCTION
HOW MUCH WILL I RECEIVE AS A TAX DEDUCTION FOR MY USED CAR?
he IRS allows you to claim a tax deduction of:
a) The value of your vehicle up to $500. It is up to the donor to determine the fair market value.
b) The amount we sell your vehicle for, if the sale price is more than $500.
PCA Cars4Kids is a classified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. You can check with your tax advisor or accountant to determine the amount of your benefit. The deduction is of value only if the donor itemizes his or her deductions. For a more detailed overview the IRS publishes a Donors Guide to Car Donation.
HOW DO YOU DETERMINE THE VALUE OF MY CAR?
Our experienced team evaluates each car to determine how to get the best sale price for it. We take into account many factors, including year, make/model, mileage and local market conditions. It is in our mutual best interest to sell your car for the most we can.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY TAX RECEIPT?
You should receive your tax-deductible receipt in the mail within 3-6 weeks of donating. You’ll also receive a temporary receipt at the time of pickup.
PLATES & TITLES
WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY LICENSE PLATE AFTER I DONATE MY CAR?
You should remove the license plates once the tower arrives and return them to the DMV.
In the states of California you must also turn in a release of liability to the DMV.
On these forms, you should fill in our name and address: Pioneer of Chinese American, 4915 Walnut Grove Ave, San Gabriel, CA 91776. For the vehicle purchase price field, you can fill in “donation”.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SIGNING MY TITLE?
When signing your title, please make certain that you print and sign your name as the "Seller" EXACTLY the way it appears on the face of the title.
CAN I DONATE MY CAR IF I DON'T HAVE THE TITLE?
We can usually pick up a vehicle without a title. We will just need the registered owner to sign some paperwork for us.