Questions to ask
- Who owns the boat after I donate it: the charity or a company?
- Whose name and EIN will be on my Form 1098-C?
- Is the charity listed in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search?
- What happens to the boat, and where do the proceeds go?
Check the IRS listing
The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at irs.gov lets you look up any charity by name or EIN. Boats with Causes is the boat donation program of Giving Center, EIN 92-1162407.
Red flags
- A promise of a specific deduction amount before the boat sells
- Pressure to decide on the first call
- A form that does not name the charity
- Claims like "full fair market value" for every boat
How some donation sites work
Some sites that look like charities are run by for-profit companies that handle the boat and pass a share of the proceeds to a charity. That is legal, but the charity may receive only part of the value. Ask how it works before you donate.
What a real charity will tell you
- Its legal name and EIN
- That the donation goes to the charity itself
- That your deduction is generally the sale price
- What it does with the boat and the proceeds
Protect yourself
Get the charity's name and EIN in writing before pickup, keep a copy of the signed title, and make sure your Form 1098-C comes from the charity you chose.
Questions
Is it bad if a charity works with a sales partner?
Not necessarily. What matters is who owns the boat and whose name is on your 1098-C.
How do I verify Boats with Causes?
Search for Giving Center, EIN 92-1162407, in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
What should my 1098-C show?
The charity's name and EIN, your boat's details, and the gross proceeds from the sale.
Why does it matter who issues my 1098-C?
The form should come from the charity that received your donation. It shows who actually got the boat.
Is Boats with Causes a for-profit intermediary?
No. It is Giving Center's own program.