Donate Your Car, Truck, or Van to Collective Roots

California Car Donation Information

Please consider donating your car, van, or pickup truck to Collective Roots if you live in the Bay Area.

We will pick up your vehicle with no cost to you and you can receive a tax deduction for your car donation.

Common Questions on car donations in the state of California:

Is my car donation made in California tax deductible?

Collective Roots is a California nonprofit classified with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and vehicle donations are tax deductible.

What paperwork do I need to donate my vehicle in California?

For faster processing we will need the title for the vehicle. However, if you do not have the title, you can still donate your car in California by completing forms: REG 227 and REG 262 (obtainable from your local DMV). You will need to sign both forms as the seller.

How do I sign my California title when donating my car?

Complete Line 1, on the front of the title. Do not sign on the back of the title. If there are multiple owners joined by "and" or with "JTRS" following their names, all owners must sign the title.

The odometer disclosure statement is required to be completed on all vehicles which are 10 years old or less.

Do I remove my California license plates before my car donation is picked up?

In the state of California the license plates remain with the vehicle.

How do I release the liability of my donated vehicle in California?

The California DMV requires the donor to mail in the "Release of Liability" form that is attached to your title on the day that the car donation is processed and the vehicle is picked up by our agent. If you do not have a "Release of Liability" form, you can download one from the California Department of Motor Vehicles website.

Donating a car to charity with our vehicle donation program is easy for you and helpful for our non-profit organization. We also accept donations of real estate, stocks, and other items of value.

Ready to make a donation? Please email us by clicking here.

Per current IRS guidelines, if your donated vehicle/vessel sells for under $500 the receipt you receive at the time the vehicle is picked up is all you need for filing your taxes. If your donation sells for over $500 you will be provided with a supplemental receipt showing the sale price and may write off as a deduction an amount up to the sale price.