how to donate a timeshare

by Jarvis Emard IV 9 min read

How To Donate A Timeshare Week To Charity?

  • Firstly,you must first determine the Fair Market Value of the timeshare. Understand that timeshares,even Club Wyndham and Hilton Grand Vacations,depreciate rapidly and immediately upon purchase.
  • Secondly,you’ll need to hire an appraiser to prove the value of your deed.
  • Lastly,your timeshare must be paid in full with the resort or resort’s lender.

Currently there are several methods to give-away or donate your timeshare.
  1. Sale to relative or friend. The first is to find a willing relative or friend who might make good use of the timeshare. ...
  2. Donation to a charity. ...
  3. Donation in exchange for tax-deduction.

Full Answer

What is the process for donating a timeshare?

With Donate My Timeshare, learning how to donate a timeshare is easy. All you have to do is follow these 4 simple steps: Step 1 Submit your information using the form in the upper right-hand corner and we will contact you shortly after. Step 2 Complete the Consent and Donation Agreement form online and hit submit. Step 3

What charities will accept timeshares?

Get Out of Your Timeshare for Good. DonateMyTimeshare.org makes it easy to donate your timeshare to a worthwhile 501c (3) charity and to feel good about getting rid of your timeshare, because it benefits a good cause. Best of all, in most cases, you …

Can I Donate my timeshare to charity?

Before donating your timeshare, we recommend you have your ownership details and information ready. We ask that you prepare the following information and documents to help the timeshare donation process go smoothly and quickly as possible. Please have this information available: The resort name Your timeshare deed or certificate

Do charities accept timeshare donations?

How do you give away a timeshare? Give it back: Contact the developer or resort management. Tell them you want to quit-deed the property back to them. In other words, you are willing to give away your timeshare in exchange for the future savings of not having to pay your membership. What happens if you just stop paying for your timeshare?

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Is donate my timeshare legitimate?

The charitable organization will receive your timeshare as a much needed financial gift; while you may benefit from a tax write-off and alleviation of ownership responsibilities. Working with DonateMyTimeshare.org is also a sure way to avoid a timeshare resale scam.

How do I gift a timeshare to a charity?

Get Out of Your Timeshare for Good DonateMyTimeshare.org makes it easy to donate your timeshare to a worthwhile 501c(3) charity and to feel good about getting rid of your timeshare, because it benefits a good cause. Best of all, in most cases, you can donate a timeshare at no cost to you.

How can I give away my timeshare?

Give it back: Contact the developer or resort management. Tell them you want to quit-deed the property back to them. In other words, you are willing to give away your timeshare in exchange for the future savings of not having to pay your membership.Feb 1, 2017

What happens if you donate your timeshare to charity?

Yes, you may be able to receive tax benefits from donating a timeshare to charity. Once your timeshare donation is completed, you can submit a tax deduction on your yearly return. The IRS states that you may file to deduct the “Fair Market Value” of your timeshare donation, should your donation qualify.

Can you donate a timeshare for a tax write off?

Tax Deductibility of Timeshare Donation If you are able to donate your timeshare to a charity, you'll be able to take a charitable tax deduction on your taxes provided that you itemize your personal deductions on IRS Schedule A.

How do I get rid of timeshare maintenance fees?

The only way to get rid of your timeshare maintenance fees and the other special assessment fees altogether is to get rid of your timeshare. Because as long as you own the property, there's really no way to end the yearly onslaught on your bank account.Sep 24, 2021

Who is responsible for a timeshare when the owner dies?

Once the owner of a timeshare dies, the timeshare is now subject to probate. Having a will doesn't avoid probate, but rather, it instructs legally how the assets (such as the timeshare) should be distributed.

Which charities have the lowest overhead costs?

Charity NamePercentage of funds that go directly to the cause, versus administrative or fundraising costsInternational Children's Fund99.70%The Foodbank of Southern California99.60%CIS Development Foundation99.50%Matthew 25: Ministries99.40%15 more rows•Dec 28, 2017

Does kars4kids timeshare?

We accept most property types in all 50 states. Timeshares are not accepted at this time.

Why do you donate timeshares?

Do Something Good. By donating timeshares to charity, you can get rid of your burden while helping others.

Does donatemytimeshare.org provide tax advice?

However, DonateMyTimeshare.org does not provide tax advice, and we recommend that you consult your CPA to determine if you qualify for a write-off. Click here to learn more: Timeshare Donation Tax Deduction. Selling a timeshare on your own can take a lot of time, money, and energy.

Is it easy to sell a timeshare?

Selling a timeshare is not easy. After advertising costs, recording fees, title fees, resort transfer fees, and commissions, there is not much left to justify the hassle. This is probably why you are considering donating your timeshare.

Is Give Back a 501c3?

Give Back Charities, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity, which means that in many cases by donating timeshare through DonateMyTimeshare.org you are eligible to deduct the fair market value of your donation from your taxes. If you donate time share, we will provide you with a tax receipt reflecting your donation to the charity. However, DonateMyTimeshare.org does not provide tax advice, and we recommend that you consult your CPA to determine if you qualify for a write-off. Click here to learn more: Timeshare Donation Tax Deduction.

Why do people donate timeshares?

There are many reasons why donating a timeshare is the best way to get out of your timeshare ownership. Make a Positive Change, Save Money and Time without the hassles of trying to sell your timeshare. By donating timeshares to our charity, you can get rid of your burden while also helping others. Donations processed by Giving Center benefits our ...

How to determine fair market value of timeshare?

To determine the Fair Market Value (FMV) of your timeshare, you should speak with a CPA or financial tax adviser. If your adviser determines that your timeshare’s market value is over $500 and you'd like to try to get a tax deduction, you must file Form 8283 with your tax return.

Can you deduct timeshare donations?

Once your timeshare donation is completed, you can submit a tax deduction on your yearly return. The IRS states that you may file to deduct the “Fair Market Value” of your timeshare donation, should your donation qualify.

Is Giving Center a 501c3?

You are also able to take Advantage of a Tax deduction because Giving Center is a 501c (3) charity. By donating timeshare through us you are eligible to deduct the fair market value of your donation from your taxes. If you donate timeshare, we will provide you with a tax receipt reflecting your generous donation to the charity.

Do you need a timeshare appraisal?

You may need a professional timeshare appraisal if you are claiming the FMV to be over $5,000. It should be noted that the IRS states that you may not claim your timeshare donation’s FMV to be over the original timeshare purchase price, unless you want to claim the donation as a capital gain.

Can you sell a timeshare on your own?

Selling a timeshare on your own, can consume a lot of money, time, and energy. We take care of the transfer process and paperwork for you. This means that you do not have to continue to pay the maintenance fees, taxes, and the special assessments while the timeshare sits on the market.

Do timeshares need to be paid in full?

A timeshare does need to be paid in full with the resort or the resort’s lender in order to donate to Giving Center. Unfortunately, if a mortgage is still owed on your timeshare property, a charity will not be able to accept it as a gift.

How long does the timeshare donation process take?

Depending on your resort and location, donating your timeshare can take between 90 to 120 days. However, once the process is complete, you will be free and clear of the timeshare and all associated obligations.

If I still owe money on it, can I donate my timeshare to charity?

No. Unfortunately, you can only donate a timeshare once the mortgage is paid in full. If you still owe a large amount on your property, your best option is to try and sell your timeshare to recoup as much money as possible, and then make a separate donation to a deserving charity.

How do I claim the tax deduction for my timeshare donation to charity?

Once the ownership has been transferred through DonateMyTimeshare.org, you will receive a receipt verifying your donation. Please note that this receipt will not include the value of your timeshare property.

What is the fair market value of my timeshare property?

The fair market value of your timeshare is NOT the same as what the developer or resort is charging for the same week or ownership. Similar to a used car, the market value of a timeshare ownership typically depreciates over time.

Are there any timeshare donation scams that I need to worry about?

Many "timeshare relief" companies claim to be the most knowledgeable when it comes to donating a timeshare to charity.

What form do you file if you dispose of a charity?

If the charitable organization disposes of the week within two years after your donation, it must file Form 8282 with the IRS and send a copy to you, disclosing the amount realized from the disposition. If the IRS doesn't examine your return based on your required disclosures, it has another alarm that goes off if the Form 8282 shows a significant discrepancy between the donation deduction you claim and the amount realized from the charity's disposition of the property.

How much tax savings would you get if you sold a week for $5,000?

Thus, if you could sell your week for $5,000, you would net $5,000 before considering selling costs. But your tax savings from a donation would be only $1,400 (28% of $5,000).

What happens if IRS doesn't examine your return?

If the IRS doesn't examine your return based on your required disclosures, it has another alarm that goes off if the Form 8282 shows a significant discrepancy between the donation deduction you claim and the amount realized from the charity's disposition of the property.

What is the best evidence of the fair market value of a week?

The prices of other resales are normally the best evidence of the approximate fair market value of your week. If you value the week (alone or combined with other non-cash donations) at more than $500, you must file Form 8283 with your tax return, putting IRS on notice that there might be a valuation issue for them to scrutinize.

What is fair market value?

Fair market value is not what you paid for the week. Nor is it what the developer is currently selling weeks for. The tax concept of fair market value is the price that a willing buyer and a willing seller would normally agree to in the marketplace.

What happens if you overstate your week?

If you significantly overstate the value of your week, there are some stiff tax penalties that can apply.

What happens if you sell a unit?

If you sell the unit, you would recover 100% of the value as sales proceeds, less any selling costs. However, if you donate the unit, your proceeds will come from the tax savings associated with your tax deduction. If you are in a 28% tax bracket, your tax savings will be approximately 28% of the value of the unit.

How much do timeshares need to be appraised?

The IRS requires that timeshare donations valued at over $5,000 be appraised. Beware of companies that charge up-front fees. There should be no charge to the donor unless a lost deed needs to be replaced or a deceased owner's or co-owner's name needs to be removed.

How long does it take to sign a timeshare deed?

Sign the new deed after the broker has sold the timeshare and closed the sale. It usually takes three to four months from the time you donate to close a sale.

Can timeshares be deducted from taxes?

In addition, you'll be able to deduct the market value on your tax return for the year in which you make the donation.

Who is Daria Kelly Uhlig?

Daria Kelly Uhlig began writing professionally for websites in 2008. She is a licensed real-estate agent who specializes in resort real estate rentals in Ocean City, Md. Her real estate, business and finance articles have appeared on a number of sites, including Motley Fool, The Nest and more.

Can you donate timeshares to charity?

Consider using a donation broker who will sell it and give the proceeds to charity. Most deeded timeshares are eligible as long as they're in good shape, have no outstanding loans and have maintenance fees that are current. Donated timeshares being sold for charity often sell much faster than private sales, which could save you maintenance fees.

How to donate time share?

According to Donate for a Cause, the process of donating a time share takes about 12 weeks. It starts with filling out and returning the donation agreement, a copy of your deed and, if necessary, IRS Form 8238. Upon receipt of this paperwork, and before drafting a new deed, a closing company that works with the intermediary will conduct a title search and verify that property taxes and any maintenance or other resort fees are current. You will then receive a new deed that transfers ownership from you to the charity. After you sign it, have the new deed notarized and return it to the charity or its representatives; that's when you'll receive a tax receipt for your donation. You remain responsible for paying maintenance and all other fees until you receive the tax receipt.

What form do you need to file if you have a time share?

If the value of your time share is more than $5,000, you'll have to file IRS Form 8238, Noncash Charitable Contributions, along with Form 1040 and a copy of the property appraisal. Get this form before getting started because it requires signatures from an IRS-qualified property appraiser and the charity.

How old do you have to be to get a time share appraisal?

If your time share is worth more than $5,000, the IRS requires a professional appraisal that's not more than 60 days old. If the value is less than $5,000, work with your accountant or tax attorney to determine and document the value.

Is it better to donate time share to charity?

Donating a paid-off time share to a charitable organization like the American Kidney Fund or United Cerebral Palsy is a viable and often better option than trying to sell it on your own. Although you won't profit financially, a tax write-off option for the fair market value allows you to recoup some of your investment.

Is a donation to a charity tax deductible?

Make sure the charity is tax-exempt and that your donation will be tax deductible. Since most charities accept donations through an intermediary such as Donate for a Cause or Real Estate for Charities instead of directly, find out how much the charity will ultimately receive. Finally, make sure the charity will accept your donation.

The Process of Donating Timeshares

The United States government, through the IRS, encourages charitable donations by taxpayers by subsidizing those donations using money that would otherwise be collected as federal income tax.

Tax Deductions for Donating Timeshares

The first thing to consider in taking a charitable donation deduction related to your timeshare is the value of the functional interest you are donating. Some owners may look to a resort website or literature and use that as the starting place for their valuation.

Better Options Than Donating Timeshares

In most cases, donating timeshares is an inferior option that doesn’t give as big of a tax write-off as promised, when it is even a possibility at all. It may even cost you money, after paying fees associated with the transfer. And your donation will probably be of limited use to the charity you are trying to help.

Look Before You Leap

Maybe buying a timeshare in the first place was a mistake. We all make them; it’s nothing to be ashamed of. But don’t compound that mistake with another by rushing into a timeshare donation that, even if it were possible, would cost you money and time for very little benefit.

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