To claim your car donation on this year’s taxes, the IRS uses the date your vehicle is physically picked up—not the date you call or submit the form. That means your car must be towed away on or before December 31 to count as a deduction for this tax year. Revive Wheels partners with Heritage for the Blind to provide free pickup in Greater Cincinnati, Monday through Saturday, even during the holiday rush. To be safe, donors should schedule pickup at least 3–5 business days before December 31 so you’re on the calendar in time.
Whether you’re in Hyde Park, West Chester, Florence, Oakley, Anderson Township, Clifton, or across the river in Covington or Newport, you can complete our easy online form in about two minutes and we’ll handle the rest. No inspection, no repairs required—non-running vehicles are welcome. After your vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind will mail you the written acknowledgment you need for your records (including IRS Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500). But your deduction year is locked in by the pickup date. If you’re racing the year-end clock in Cincinnati, this is the moment to act and secure your December 31 deadline.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute online form or call Revive Wheels
2 minutesShare your contact info, vehicle details, and exact pickup address anywhere in Greater Cincinnati—whether you’re in Downtown, Blue Ash, Mason, or Northern Kentucky. Tell us you’re donating for this tax year so we prioritize a pre–December 31 pickup date.
Choose the earliest convenient pickup window
5 minutesOur team schedules free towing Monday–Saturday, even during the holidays. To protect your deduction, select a time slot at least 3–5 business days before December 31, giving dispatch enough flexibility to get your car picked up on time.
Confirm your pickup and prepare your title
10 minutesYou’ll receive a confirmation with your scheduled date and time. Make sure your title and keys are ready and remove personal items. The tow driver will meet you at home, work, or a shop anywhere around I-275, I-71, or I-75 for fast handoff.
Vehicle is towed away by December 31
15–20 minutes at pickupOn pickup day, the tow driver collects your signed title and the vehicle—running or not. The pickup date is what the IRS uses to determine your deduction year, so once the truck leaves before December 31, this year’s tax eligibility is locked in.
Receive your tax acknowledgment by mail
Within weeks after saleHeritage for the Blind processes the donation after your vehicle sells and mails you a written acknowledgment (and Form 1098-C for vehicles valued over $500). Keep it with your tax records to claim your charitable deduction for the year of pickup.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date controls your tax year
For vehicle donations, the IRS looks at the date your car is actually picked up or delivered—not the day you call or sign up online. If the tow happens by December 31, the deduction applies to that calendar tax year.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
When your donated vehicle’s value exceeds $500, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098-C after the car is sold. This form shows the sale amount, which generally sets the maximum deduction you can claim on your return.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, your allowable deduction is the price Heritage for the Blind receives when the vehicle is sold, not a book value estimate. That final sale price will appear on your acknowledgment and, when applicable, Form 1098-C.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To benefit from a car donation tax deduction, you have to itemize deductions using IRS Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. If you don’t itemize, the donation still helps the charity but won’t reduce your taxable income.
Written receipt typically within 30 days of sale
IRS rules require the charity to send a written acknowledgment—often within about 30 days after the vehicle is sold. Even if the letter arrives in the new year, the deduction still belongs to the tax year in which your car was picked up.