At Gulf Wheels in St. Petersburg, we understand how important it is to honor the memory of a beloved spouse, parent, or relative. Donating their cherished vehicle is a meaningful way to pay tribute and keep their memory alive. Not only does this act carry emotional significance, but it can also provide you with a tax receipt, making it a practical choice for your family.
To proceed with a donation in memory of someone, the vehicle title must be in your name, as IRS regulations stipulate that receipts go to the current owner. Additionally, we can recognize your loved one in our records and send a heartfelt tribute card to their family, letting them know of this generous gift in their memory.
How to make it happen
Prepare the Title
Ensure the vehicle title is in your name. If the title is still in the deceased person's name, you may need to go through the estate probate process to transfer it to your name before donating.
Complete the Donation Form
Fill out our online donation form, indicating that the donation is in memory of your loved one. Provide their name to ensure they are recognized in our records.
Request a Tribute Card
You can request a tribute card to be sent to the family of the deceased. This card will inform them of the donation in their loved one's memory.
Schedule Your Pick-Up
Once the paperwork is complete, schedule a convenient pick-up time for your vehicle. Our team will handle the logistics from there!
Receive Your Tax Receipt
After the vehicle is picked up, you will receive a tax receipt that you can use when filing your taxes. The IRS requires this for donations over $500.
Common gotchas
Title Still in Deceased's Name
Tip: If the vehicle title is still in your loved one's name, you will need to transfer ownership through the estate probate process before you can donate it.
Tribute Card Details
Tip: Make sure to provide the correct name and address of the family member who should receive the tribute card, as this cannot be changed once the donation is processed.
IRS Receipt Expectations
Tip: Remember, the IRS tax receipt will go to the current owner (you), not to the deceased's estate or family, so keep this in mind for tax filings.
If this path doesn't fit
If donating the vehicle isn't feasible due to title issues or other reasons, consider other tribute options, such as a cash donation to Gulf Wheels in memory of your loved one. This way, you can still honor their legacy while supporting our mission to help others in the community.
St. Petersburg DMV specifics
In Florida, titles for vehicles must be in the current owner's name for a donation to be accepted. Ensure to check with your local DMV regarding any additional paperwork required for lien releases and title transfers. Also, remember to surrender the license plate when you complete the donation.