If you want your car donation to count for this tax year, the IRS sets a clear rule: the donation date is the day your vehicle is physically picked up, not the day you schedule. That means your car must be towed or driven away on or before December 31 for you to claim the deduction on this year’s return. To make that happen, Rev Up Local works with Heritage for the Blind to schedule free pickups across the St. Louis Metro Monday through Saturday, including the year-end holiday season.
Because trucks fill up fast the last week of December, we strongly suggest scheduling your pickup 3–5 business days before December 31. Whether you’re in South City by Tower Grove, out in Chesterfield or Ballwin, near Florissant or Hazelwood in North County, or across the river in Belleville and Collinsville, you can complete our secure 2-minute form or call now to reserve a time. Non-running vehicles are welcome, no inspection or repairs needed. Heritage for the Blind is a registered 501(c)(3), and when your vehicle sells, you’ll receive written acknowledgment (including IRS Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500). But remember: the tax year for your deduction is locked in by the pickup date, not when the receipt arrives.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute donation form or call
2 minutesFrom anywhere in the St. Louis Metro—Downtown, Kirkwood, St. Peters, Edwardsville—start by completing our simple online form or calling. Have your title (if available) and basic vehicle info ready. Tell us you need pickup by December 31 so we can prioritize a year-end slot.
Choose your pickup window before Dec 31
5 minutesA scheduling coordinator for Heritage for the Blind will confirm your St. Louis-area address and offer available pickup days Monday–Saturday. To be safe, pick a date at least 3–5 business days before December 31 so weather, traffic, or holiday delays don’t push you into next tax year.
Prepare the vehicle and sign the title
10–15 minutesRemove personal items, license plates if required by Missouri/Illinois, and locate your title. In most St. Louis Metro donations, you’ll sign the title over to Heritage for the Blind at pickup. Non-running cars are fine—just make sure the tow truck can access your driveway, street parking, or garage area.
Complete pickup and lock in your tax year
15–30 minutesOn pickup day, the tow driver arrives, verifies paperwork, and loads your vehicle. The moment your car leaves your property—on or before December 31—that date becomes your IRS donation date. You’ll receive an initial towing receipt noting Heritage for the Blind as the charity recipient.
Receive your written acknowledgment and 1098-C
VariesAfter your car sells at auction or wholesale, Heritage for the Blind mails your written acknowledgment. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C. Even if this arrives the following year, your deduction year remains the pickup year, as long as pickup was by December 31.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date = donation year
For the IRS, your donation is made on the day Heritage for the Blind actually picks up your vehicle. If the tow occurs on or before December 31, you can claim the deduction for that calendar year.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
When your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098-C. This lists the gross sale price, which generally becomes your maximum allowable deduction for that vehicle.
Written acknowledgment arrives after sale
Your official receipt is mailed only after the car is sold, which can be weeks after pickup. That’s normal and still valid. The year you claim the deduction is based on pickup date, not when the letter or 1098-C arrives.
Itemizing with Schedule A
To benefit from a car donation tax deduction, you must itemize your deductions using Schedule A on your federal return. If you take the standard deduction, the vehicle donation won’t reduce your taxable income.
30-day rule for detailed receipts
The IRS expects charities to send Form 1098-C or a detailed contemporaneous acknowledgment within 30 days of the car’s sale or contribution. Keep this with your records to support the deduction if you’re ever questioned.