Members of the Maryland Association of Certified Public...

Members of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants are answering readers' tax questions through April 15.

Q. Last year I donated a car to charity. How do I claim that on my 1040 form?

A. Generally, you may claim a deduction for the car's fair market value on Line 16 of Schedule A. You should have a receipt from the organization to which the car was donated and how it was valued (appraisal or NADA book). If the value is greater than $500, you are also required to complete Form 8283, and if the value is greater than $5,000, you are required to attach an appraisal as substantiation for the fair market value.

-- Aaron Bloom of Reznick, Fedder & Silverman, Baltimore

The above advice is for general purposes only and is not intended as legal, accounting or tax advice. Specific situations may vary.

To ask a tax question, call Sundial, The Sun's telephone information service, at [phone]. Call 268-7736 in Anne Arundel County, 836-5028 in Harford County, 848-0338 in Carroll County. Using a Touch-Tone phone, punch in the four-digit code 6225 after you hear the greeting.

Pub Date: 2/10/98