Give the Gift of Independence

Neighbor Ride benefits by receiving a cash donation from the sale of your donated vehicle that helps fund new and existing programs serving older adults in Howard County.

You benefit by being able to reduce your taxable income when taxes are itemized. Plus, you avoid the costs associated with selling your car. No need to pay for advertising, no loss of privacy and possible security risk, and no need to pay for vehicle registration, insurance, and repairs to keep your car in running condition while you wait for a buyer.

We accept vehicles regardless of age or condition! However, it must have an engine and be towable.

Many types of motor vehicles are accepted including boats, motorcycles, trucks, and cars. If you are uncertain as to whether your vehicle is eligible, please call 866-829-2918.

We make donating your car as simple and convenient as possible. You can donate seven days a week, 24 hours a day.  It is as easy as filling out the online donation form. Alternatively, you can call 866-829-2918 to make your donation over the phone.

No. Special arrangements can be made by calling 866-829-2918. If you choose not to be present at the time of pick-up, you must let the towing company know where to locate your vehicle keys and title.

To donate, we will need proof of ownership. We’ll need your vehicle’s signed title that’s free of all liens. Kindly include the original lien release if a lien is listed on the front of the title. If you’ve lost or misplaced your title, you can call (866) 829-2918 to have one of our Title Experts assist you in securing a duplicate title from the local motor vehicle department.

If your car is registered in Maryland, the license plates of your donated vehicle should be removed before the pick-up and then returned to the MVA (unless you are transferring the plates to another vehicle). Remember to save your receipt from the MVA when you return your plates and to cancel insurance coverage on the vehicle ONLY AFTER the plates are returned or transferred to the new vehicle. NOTE: These laws vary by state. If you live outside of Maryland, please refer to the DMV in your state for clear instructions. 

Donors are no longer responsible for determining the deductible value of their donation. Instead, they will receive IRS Form 1098-C, Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes if the proceeds from the sale exceed $500, stating the amount of the gross proceeds from the sale of the donated vehicle. The amount listed on IRS Form 1098-C, Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes will be the gross proceeds of the deductible donation.

Yes, the driver will issue a receipt at the time of pickup. This initial acknowledgement will indicate your name as well as the year, make, model and condition of the car you are donating. This is not your final tax receipt, but an acknowledgment of the pick-up of your vehicle. Please note that in some cases — depending upon the location from which your vehicle was picked up — you may not receive a towing receipt.

After the sale of your vehicle, you will receive a thank you letter from Neighbor Ride acknowledging your donated vehicle.

If your vehicle sold for less than $500, this letter or your 1098-C form will serve as your official acknowledgment. As the donor, you may make your best determination of the amount you wish to deduct for tax purposes, based on mileage, condition, etc., up to but not meeting or exceeding $500.

If your vehicle sold for $500 or greater at auction and you have provided your social security number, you will receive an IRS Form 1098-C, Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes and a Neighbor Ride acknowledgment letter, stating the amount of gross proceeds received from your car in Box 4C. This form will indicate the amount allowable for tax deduction purposes.

If your IRS Form 1098-C has Box 7 checked, you will be limited to a deduction of $500, even if your gross proceeds exceed the $500 threshold. The most common reason for this Box being checked is failure to provide your Social Security Number or estate tax I.D. number to our vehicle donation agency at the time of your donation. If you do not intend to deduct the vehicle donation on your tax return, no further action is necessary. If you wish to deduct the gross proceeds for the sale of your vehicle, please contact us at 866-829-2918, provide your SSN, and an amended Form 1098-C will be issued.

The value is determined by the gross proceeds raised from the sale of the donated vehicle. You no longer have the burden of determining the value yourself.

If the claimed value of the donated vehicle exceeds $500, the taxpayer is limited to the gross proceeds of the sale.

Effective January 1, 2005, you are no longer required to have vehicles appraised. The value you may claim will be the amount of gross proceeds received from your vehicle.

Yes. See IRS Publication 4303 – A Donor’s Guide to Vehicle Donation for more information.