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TomC · 03-04-2009, 06:55 AM

It is my belief, but I'm no tax expert, that the IRS took away the "blue-book" value as the deduction amount because people were valuing complete pieces of junk in accordance with the blue-book to take a deduction well above the actual market value of their donation. Now the charity has to send the donor a receipt for the actual amount they receive for the item when it is liquidated. This is often 1/2-1/3 of the consumer blue-book because the sale generally takes place at a wholesale auction. If your boat is listed in a blue-book for $1500, then realisitically you are looking at a donation value of $500-$700. Depending on your tax bracket, you then save only $100-$200 off of your taxes. You may be much better off just selling the thing.

Charities howled when this rule was passed because vehicle donations dropped way off - they didn't care what a donor told the IRS regarding donated value.

Consult your tax advisor for the straight scoop..

03-04-2009, 06:55 AM	#8
TomC Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 547 Thanks: 9 Thanked 29 Times in 20 Posts	the deduction doesn't work that way anymore It is my belief, but I'm no tax expert, that the IRS took away the "blue-book" value as the deduction amount because people were valuing complete pieces of junk in accordance with the blue-book to take a deduction well above the actual market value of their donation. Now the charity has to send the donor a receipt for the actual amount they receive for the item when it is liquidated. This is often 1/2-1/3 of the consumer blue-book because the sale generally takes place at a wholesale auction. If your boat is listed in a blue-book for $1500, then realisitically you are looking at a donation value of $500-$700. Depending on your tax bracket, you then save only $100-$200 off of your taxes. You may be much better off just selling the thing. Charities howled when this rule was passed because vehicle donations dropped way off - they didn't care what a donor told the IRS regarding donated value. Consult your tax advisor for the straight scoop..