To claim your car donation on this year’s taxes, the IRS looks at one thing: the date your vehicle is physically picked up. For a deduction on this tax year, your car must be towed no later than December 31—scheduling alone is not enough. That’s why Wheels of Change, benefiting Heritage for the Blind, urges Atlanta donors to book their free pickup at least 3–5 business days before year-end. Our team runs Monday–Saturday through the holiday season to help you meet the deadline and secure your tax benefit.
Based here in Metro Atlanta, we know how packed late December gets from Buckhead and Midtown to Decatur, Marietta, Sandy Springs, and College Park. You can donate in about two minutes online or by phone—no emissions test, no repairs, and non-running vehicles are welcome. Heritage for the Blind is a registered 501(c)(3), and your car helps fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Once your vehicle sells, you’ll receive the written acknowledgment you need for your taxes. Act now, beat the holiday rush on tow trucks, and turn your extra car into a same-year tax deduction for an Atlanta cause that matters.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesFrom anywhere in Metro Atlanta—Downtown, Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb—complete our quick online form or call us. Share basic vehicle info and where it’s located. No title questions or mechanical issues will stop you from starting the process right now.
Choose a pickup window before Dec 31
5 minutesTell our team your ideal pickup days and times. To safely lock in this year’s deduction, schedule at least 3–5 business days before December 31. We dispatch Monday–Saturday across the Atlanta area, including suburbs like Roswell, Smyrna, and Stone Mountain.
Confirm your IRS deduction year
2 minutesWe’ll clearly confirm your scheduled tow date. Remember: the IRS donation date is the day the tow truck actually picks up your car. If pickup happens on or before December 31, it counts for this tax year—even if the sale and paperwork happen later.
Free towing anywhere in Metro Atlanta
1 visitOur professional towing partner arrives at your Atlanta address—home, work, or repair shop. Running or not, we load and haul your vehicle at no cost to you. You hand over the keys and signed title (when required), and your donation date is locked in on the spot.
Receive your tax receipt after the sale
Varies after pickupAfter your car sells, Heritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment. For vehicles over $500, this includes IRS Form 1098-C with the sale amount. Even though the receipt comes later, your deduction year remains the year the vehicle was picked up.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date = donation date
The IRS uses the date your vehicle is actually picked up, not the day you call or fill out the form. For this year’s deduction, your Atlanta tow must happen on or before December 31.
Form 1098-C for cars over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind will send IRS Form 1098-C. This form shows the sale price, which is generally the maximum amount you can claim as a charitable deduction.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To use your car donation as a tax deduction, you need to itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal return. If you take the standard deduction, you can’t also claim the vehicle donation separately.
Acknowledgment letter after the sale
Your official written acknowledgment is mailed after the vehicle is sold, usually within weeks. Even if the letter arrives in the new year, your deduction year remains the year the vehicle was picked up in Atlanta.
December 31 pickup locks in this year
As long as the tow truck removes your car on or before December 31, your donation applies to this tax year. Scheduling alone doesn’t count—make sure your actual pickup date is within the calendar year.