Car donation is a hot news item for one primary reason: the tax deduction you can earn for donating your car can be excellent, and many people are interested in donating their car for exactly this reason. And while new, legitimate car donation programs are still cropping up all over the world, scams do exist. The scam artists are frequent targets of local "gotcha" news reporters who like to hunt them down while their cameras are rolling. And the IRS is also cracking down on donors who claim their car is more valuable than it is when it comes time to do their taxes, so car donation will likely continue to the topic of many stories as the year goes on.

Here are some of the latest stories in the news regarding car donation:

Car Donation Programs Threatened by Legislation
Los Angeles Times | Jul 3, 2004 (registration required)
"The Senate legislation has the possibility of ending car-donation programs," she said. "It's just not fair to the donor..."

IRS Posts New Guidance for Car Donations
SmartPros Accounting | Jun 29, 2004
... donate automobiles to charities. In recent years, the number of car donation programs has increased dramatically. This growth, however ...

Charities fear shift in tax law
Akron Beacon Journal | Jun 24, 2004 (registration required)
Auto owners with a mind toward charity -- and tax deductions -- helped add $274,000 to the annual budget of Goodwill Industries of Akron last year...Congress, though, may soon put a dent in the programs run by Goodwill and about 4,000 other charities....

House Approves New Rules for Noncash Gifts
Chronicle of Philanthropy | Jun 18, 2004
The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday approved changes in the government rules for donations of cars, intellectual property, and other noncash items...The bill would require people who donate a car to obtain an independent appraisal and would limit their tax deduction to that amount. Under current law, donors may deduct the fair market value of a car based on a used-car pricing guide, as long as the car is worth less than $5,000....

Donate cars directly to charity
Washington Times | Jun 7, 2004
Many major charities accept donations of used cars, but there are some pitfalls to be aware of.....

Utah charity sees 'nightmare' in car donation legislation
Salt Lake Tribune | May 13, 2004
When the Senate passed a bill Tuesday to eliminate a tax break for American manufacturers in an effort to head off punitive foreign tariffs, few work-a-day taxpayers took notice. ...

Restricting tax deduction would dry up donated cars
East Valley Tribune | May 10, 2004
Charity car donations have become a popular way to boost funding for dozens of worthy causes that help countless needy people. They provide a multimillion-dollar windfall for private, non-profit assistance organizations while allowing citizens a break on their taxes. So, naturally, the Tax Man doesn’t like them one bit. ...

Ministerial Alliance sponsors drop-off day
Huntington Herald Dispatch | May 7, 2004
The West Huntington Ministerial Alliance is sponsoring another drop-off day for Good News Mountaineer Garage automobile donations at Madison Avenue Christian Church on Saturday, May 15....

Donate a car, but know the rules
The Salinas Californian | May 1, 2004
The ads are everywhere: Donate your car, help the needy, get a tax break in return -- everybody wins....

Middlemen drive Vehicle Donation Industry
Contra Costa Times | April 18, 2004
The ads are everywhere: Donate your car, help the needy, get a tax break in return -- everybody wins....

Changes to Car Donation Tax Break Expected
Family News In Focus | April 14, 2004
Giving your vehicle to charity might not be so lucrative soon...

Charities Worry on Car Donation Crackdown
The Guardian (UK) | Apr 13, 2004
When taxpayers donate a car to charity, it can mean money for charities and a tax break for contributors...

Father, son accused of swindling many in fake car donation
San Diego Union Tribune | April 8, 2004
Investigators arrested a father and son yesterday on suspicion of scamming hundreds, maybe even a thousand people who thought they were donating ...

American Autoimmune Related Disease Association Announces Car Donation Program
Duluth Weekly, GA | Mar 24, 2004 (press release)
The American Autoimmune Related Disease Association (AARDA) can now accept used car donations through its partner ...

Car Donations May Hit IRS Roadblock
The Jewish Journal, Los Angeles | Apr 8, 2004
Claims of “highest blue book value” and grandiose statements about how a car donation will support your favorite charity are giving way to cautious...

Car dealership calling on a higher power?
The Dispatch, CA | Mar 26, 2004
Look out Gilroy auto dealers. You’ve got new competition...

SPCA Employee Under Suspicion of Fraud
KVBC, NV | Mar 25, 2004
Police are looking into a possible case of fraud involving one of southern Nevada's most popular animal charities. The SPCA is placing one of its employees on unpaid leave after allegations of cashing in on a big donation...

IRS Officials Urge Caution and Care for Those Making a Car Donation
Internal Revenue Service| Dec. 15, 2003
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service issued a consumer alert today to help taxpayers avoid potential pitfalls when they donate their automobiles to charities...