Car Donation Charities

Car donation charities accept donations of your scrap or used vehicles, and not only does this benefit the charity but it also benefits you. That is because your car is regarded as a tax-deductible donation so you can write it off against your taxes when you file.

You must first ensure that the charity accepting your vehicle is registered to accept tax deductible contributions, and also make sure you get a receipt to prove that the donation was made.

On receiving this proof, you can safely hand over your vehicle and then claim its value against your next tax return. Make sure that you have records of the value of the car, because this type of donation might well result in an IRS inspection to make sure that the value you are claiming was the true value of your vehicle when it was donated.

When you donate a car to charity, the cars that are donated can be of two types: those still in good working order and those useful only for scrap. Here is how each type of car will benefit both you and the charity:

1. Scrap Cars

What benefits do you get by donating a scrap car apart from the warm glow of helping a charity to help others? You get the benefit of having your old vehicle removed free of charge, and also of knowing that it will be put to good use in the recovery of the steel to build new vehicles. The oil is also recycled, and it has been estimated that Car donation charities contribute significantly to over 10 million gallons of oil that is recycled each year by the auto recycling industry.

You can also claim a sum against tax for the scrap value of the car. Generally, you have no work to do when you offer your car to car donation charities. They arrange the collection of the vehicle, provide you with documentary evidence of the donation for the IRS, and that’s about it! It’s a very simply process, which is why so many individuals and businesses are pleased to use such services.

Many people are under the mistaken opinion that they get paid when they offer their vehicle for scrap. On the contrary – you generally have to pay the merchant to take it away, and that is why car donation charities are so popular and so successful. They not only save people money in remove their scrap cars free of charge, but they can also make money due to the volume of scrap metal and oil they are handling.

2. Functional Cars
Many cars received by car donation charities are in working order, and in this case the donor receives a tax deduction equivalent to the sale price of the car. If the charity decides to use the car for its own use (saving them purchasing a car) then you can claim the estimated value of the car against tax, and the charity benefits by being able to offer a car to their workers at no cost.

However, if it is sold at auction then you claim the amount for which it was sold. Car donation charities receive amazingly large numbers of cars that are still working, but for which their owners would rather receive the tax benefit by donating it rather than accrue more tax by selling it.

The Legal Aspects

The legal aspects of a persons donation relate to the IRS (who else!). If your car is worth over $500, you must complete Section A of IRS Form 8283. If worth up to $5,000, use one of the recognized books, such as the Kelly Blue book for its market value. For over $5,000. You should get an independent valuation for your car and also complete Section B of Form 8283. Take photographs of the car and retain any receipts you still have relating to parts or tires that have been recently purchased for the car. You can claim for these.

This all might seem a lot of work, but it is not as difficult as it seems and you are getting two major benefits from it:

a) You get the warmth in your heart of knowing that you are helping people less fortunate than yourself,
b) You are getting your old car taken away free rather than paying for it, and
c) You are getting a tax deduction for the value of a car that you might otherwise just have let go for scrap, or maybe sold for a lot less than your tax claim might be.

You can use car donation charities to your benefit if you understand how, and we will show you exactly what you must do to take advantage of each of these benefits. You have surprisingly little to do when you donate a car to charity, because the charities do most of it: they collect your car, dispose of or sell it, and we help you every step of the way to make sure you’re getting the best for you.

Read more »

The Dictator 2012 Bluray

Genre: Comedy

Language: English

Format: mkv   Size: 600 MB

Synopsis:  the heroic story of a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy will never love that oppressed country.

Free Direct download movie
or

One click download movie   hipfile
or

One click download movie  uploadbaz

Read more »

Better Fuel Economy Could Mean Worse Tires

A study released by J.D. Power and Associates last Thursday shows that car buyers are not happy with the run-flat and low-rolling resistance tires automakers use to improve fuel efficiency.
According to the study, run-flat tires, commonly used on performance sport cars and luxury vehicles, have about a 6,000-mile shorter life span than standard tires. These tires have to be replaced more often than conventional tires and often have to be replaced in pairs. This could make for a costly expense sooner than what owners had planned on.
USA Today says that “more automakers are equipping cars with run-flat tires, which can keep rolling for enough miles to get to a gas station or tire store, rather than putting a traditional spare tire to the trunk. The spare adds more weight to the car, which burns more gas.”
Brent Gruber, director, global automotive division at J.D. Power and Associates, says, “Automakers are trying to reach the next level of fuel economy, and are looking to their suppliers--in this case, tire manufacturers--to help them get there. The challenge is doing this while finding tires that meet customers’ expectations. Run-flat tires are not currently meeting those expectations.”
Customers are also hesitant about low-rolling resistance tires because of what they may have to give up for better fuel economy, according to the survey. Most of them are concerned that traction and the tire’s durability are worse on low-rolling resistance tires than standard tires.
"While the marketing of low-rolling resistance tires has primarily focused on fuel efficiency, tire manufacturers may also benefit from advertisements that help educate consumers about the traction and dependability of the tires," said Gruber. "Consumers don't fully understand the benefit of low-rolling resistant tires. They believe they are forfeiting important aspects of tire performance by opting for low-rolling resistant tires, yet don't know how much improvement in fuel efficiency they should expect in return."
In an interview with The New York Times, Goodyear says it supplies low-rolling resistance tires for the Toyota Prius and Chevy Volt among other fuel-efficient cars. Goodyear say the Assurance Fuel Max tires it uses for these vehicles improve traction and durability by 27 percent over the previous model of Assurance tires.
Michelin provided The New York Times with a graphic that explains how tire companies are making tires that perform well and help owners save on gas.
The New York Times also reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is updating labeling rules on tires that will help consumers choose the correct replacement tires. The labeling will add fuel-efficient grades, safety and durability. John Emerson, director of industry standards and government regulations at Michelin, tells The New York Times he expects to see these new rules mid-2013.
Before purchasing your new car, look to see what type of tires it comes with. If they are run-flat tires, expect to pay for some new tires sooner rather than later, and try to avoid scenarios that could result in a flat tire or blowout.

Read more »

Will New Tesla Finance Incentive Electrify Sales?

Tesla introduced this week what it calls a “revolutionary automotive financing product that provides the best elements of ownership and leasing to Model S customers.”
Tesla is teaming up with Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank to offer shoppers a part-lease, part-finance option that guarantees the residual value of the all-electric Model S. The automaker says in a statement that this lets buyers take advantage of government tax credits of anywhere from $7,500 to $15,000, depending where you live, which buyers can’t do when leasing.
The 60 kWh Tesla Model S starts at $69,000 and the 85 kWh model starts at $79,900 (the 40 kWh model is no longer available). The 85 kWh Model S Performance starts at $94,900. According to Tesla, you make a 10 percent down payment and Wells Fargo or U.S. Bank will finance the Model S, if you have good credit. Tesla says that the down payment will mostly be covered by the federal and state tax credits. You then, in essence, lease the car for three years. At the end of that time, you can either buy it or sell the car back to Tesla for the same residual value of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which Tesla CEO Elon Musk personally guarantees.
Tesla has created a “True Cost of Ownership” calculator where potential buyers can see what a Model S will cost them per month, based on multiple customizable variables. Tesla touts a potential $500 a month payment, but many in the industry are skeptical. Tesla’s low monthly payment takes into account gas savings, tax credits, a business tax deduction if you drive the car for work purposes, a deduction for the guaranteed resale value and even a monetary equivalent for the time it takes you to drive to a gas station to fill up and the time savings if you drive in the car pool lane, which many localities allow electric cars to do. The actual monthly payment could be more than $1,000 a month for the 85 kWh model. MSN Autos writes, “Residual value of the S-Class is just under 50 percent at best, and that $500-per-month number is ripe for ridicule in the face of what is actually a $1,199-per-month financing program for 66 months.”
The Washington Post cautions that shoppers should always thoroughly research any finance deal before signing on the dotted line. “Still, the financing scheme is interesting and worth exploring.”
The automaker is trying to recover from a less-than-flattering New York Times review of its Model S, where the driver ran out of battery power earlier than expected. Musk told Reuters that a few hundred buyers cancelled their orders for the Model S because of the New York Times review, and that the company’s stock shares dropped 13 percent. “Between $100 million and $200 million of Tesla's drop in market value was due to the Times article,” Musk told Reuters.
MSN Autos reports that the 40 kWh model was dropped due to low sales. “Making up only about 4 percent of Model S orders, the 40-kWh version is now seen as extraneous compared with the more popular, higher-range 60-kWh, 85-kWh and 85-kWh Performance versions.” MSN Autos also reports that Tesla sold more Model S cars than it expected in the first quarter, which helped the automaker earn its first profit.
The 2013 Tesla Model S is currently ranked at the top of our luxury large car class, tied with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Read more »

2005 to 2009 Subaru Outback and Legacy Recalled

Subaru is recalling roughly 200,000 Legacy and Outback models because the brake lines could be susceptible to corrosion. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the recall affects 2005 to 2009 model year vehicles that are “currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.”
NHTSA says that a gap in the fuel tank protector could allow salt water to splash onto the brake lines, which creates the risk of excessive corrosion. Kicking Tires writes, “This could cause brake fluid leakage, which could necessitate longer stopping distances and increase the risk of a crash.”
Owners of affected Legacy and Outback models will be notified by Subaru so that dealers can perform an inspection. If no brake fluid is seeping, dealers will rustproof the area in question with an anti-corrosion wax. If seepage is present, Subaru will rustproof the area and replace the brake lines.
Subaru has not announced when the recall will begin yet. Owners of affected vehicles can contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

Read more »

Big Auto Sales Mean Small Discounts in March

March auto sales numbers are trickling in with good news for most automakers, but bad news for consumers hoping to get a deal on a new car.

Ford reports a 6 percent sales increase compared with March 2012. The Ford Fusion sold more than 30,000 units in March, which Ford says is a record for the model. The Ford Escape also broke its best monthly sales record, selling 28 percent more models than in March 2012. Ford also says that sales of the Ford Explorer are up 33 percent compared with a year ago.
Ford isn't the only brand with record sales, however. In its sales report, Chrysler Group LLC says that it had its best sales month since December 2007. March marks the company's 36 consecutive month of sales gains, year over year. Overall, Chrysler Group sold 171,606 cars, SUVs, trucks and vans in March, which is a 5 percent increase over March 2012. The Ram Truck brand posted a 24 percent sales gain, the Chrysler brand saw sales increase 35 percent compared to March 2012 and Dodge sales were up 15 percent compared to last year. One dark spot in Chrysler's news is the Jeep brand: Jeep sales were down 13 percent compared to March 2012. Chrysler says the drop is due to the end of the Jeep Liberty and ongoing product launches. Though Jeep sales were down compared to last year, March Jeep sales were 27 percent better than February Jeep sales.
Volkswagen reported a 3.1 percent increase in March sales compared to last year. The German automaker says they've had the best sales year so far since 1973. More than 22 percent of VW sales in March were of diesel models, indicating that high-mileage diesel engines are gaining traction with U.S. consumers.
As auto sales surge, analysts are revising their sales forecasts for the year. Edmunds now estimates that 15.5 million cars, trucks, SUVs and vans will be sold in the U.S. in 2013. That's an increase of half a million sales from their earlier prediction. They attribute the surge to "... car shopper resilience in the face of continued fiscal issues at home, and more recently, flare-ups of fiscal drama in Europe. Buyers are also feeling wealthier thanks to rising home prices and the strong stock market, and refinancing home mortgages as well as an improving labor market have put additional cash in some buyers' pockets. Meanwhile, pent-up demand continues to release, thanks to the aging fleet and more widely available credit."
In an email to reporters, Edmunds says that industry spending on incentives is falling as sales rise. Compared to last month, automakers spent nearly 2 percent less on incentives and discounts in March. That tracks with U.S. News Best Cars' best car deals research. Because sales are strong, automakers don't need to tempt shoppers with deep discounts. According to Edmunds, on average, automakers offered $2,357 in discounts in March. GM was the biggest spender on incentives, offering an average of $3,472 off its vehicles. Though that's a big discount, it's less than what the company offered in February. On the other hand, Honda offered an average of just $963 off its vehicles. That's almost 8 percent more than the company offered in February, but nearly 3 percent less than the discounts the company offered in March 2012. If you're looking for a new car, it makes sense to buy now, before incentive spending drops further.

Read more »

Hybrid SUV Competition Heats Up with Debut of 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid

Last Wednesday at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), Nissan announced their first hybrid SUV, the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid. Nissan said the seven-passenger hybrid will go on sale in late summer.
Nissan said at their press conference on Wednesday that the Pathfinder Hybrid will feature a supercharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor. It will cost about $3,000 more than the standard V6 engine model, which has a current starting price of $28,650. At the press conference, Executive Vice President Andy Palmer said the Pathfinder Hybrid will get 26 combined mpg.
Motor Trend writes, “Visually, the hybrid model’s only distinguishing features from a standard Pathfinder are special LED taillights and new Puredrive Hybrid badging. Inside, the in-cluster display receives special hybrid info screens.”
According to MSN Autos, Nissan has been investing in electronic models, like the LEAF, but is a relative newcomer to hybrids. MSN Autos also writes, “By introducing hybrid technology into the popular and fast-growing midsize crossover segment, Nissan is maximizing its reach. An aggressive pricing strategy to make the typically expensive technology more affordable will only increase its appeal.”
Other hybrid SUVs that debuted at the NYIAS include the 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid and 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid. USA Today says the 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is expected to get 28 combined mpg, and it will cost somewhere between $41,000 and $47,000. Other hybrid SUVs currently on the market include the 2013 Lexus RX Hybrid, 2013 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, 2013 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid and the 2013 GMC Yukon Hybrid.
In an interview with The Detroit News, Kelley Blue Book’s senior analyst Alec Gutierrez says that hybrids still have some problems to overcome. For one, they have to compete with fuel-efficient gas-only vehicles that cost less. “We are seeing a lot of new offerings and announcements, but we really haven’t seen market share move over the last five years,” Gutierrez said.
However, The Detroit News reports that automakers think “… adding hybrid systems to SUVs and bigger cars makes sense because they do mean efficiency improvements for those larger models. Automakers have reduced the premium that buyers pay for hybrids, in order to boost sales.” The Detroit News also says that by the end of 2015, Toyota is estimating that they will have 10 hybrids on sale in the U.S., and Nissan will have four or five hybrids in the U.S.

Read more »