Donate by Dec 31 in St. Louis and deduct your car’s sale price

In the St. Louis Metro, donate your car by December 31 and your deduction is based on the sale price. Rev Up Local handles IRS Form 1098-C, free pickup, and all required paperwork.

Donate your car in the St. Louis Metro before midnight on December 31, and you may claim a 2024 charitable tax deduction if you itemize. With Rev Up Local, your deduction usually equals the gross sale price of your vehicle, not the Kelley Blue Book value. If your vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind (a 501(c)(3), EIN 58-2164446) will mail you IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. If it’s $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment so you can deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is lower. Keep your pickup confirmation as proof of your donation date, and claim your deduction on Schedule A. Always confirm your specific situation with a tax professional.

Rev Up Local makes year-end car donation easy for donors across the St. Louis Metro—whether you’re in South City, the Central West End, Ballwin, Florissant, O’Fallon (MO or IL), Belleville, or right by the Arch. We offer free pickup, often Monday through Saturday, and we accept most vehicles—even non-running, no inspection, and no repairs needed. Proceeds support Heritage for the Blind’s services for people who are blind or visually impaired. If you’re ready to cross this off your year-end to‑do list and lock in your potential 2024 tax deduction, start your 2‑minute form or call now.

Your year-end donation timeline

1

Start your 2-minute donation form or call

2 minutes

Share your contact info, basic vehicle details, and where it’s located in the St. Louis Metro—Clayton condo garage, South County driveway, or a shop in St. Charles. This locks in your intent to donate before the December 31 deadline and gets your free pickup process started.

2

Pick your pickup window in the St. Louis Metro

5 minutes

Our towing partner contacts you to schedule a free pickup, usually Monday–Saturday, at a time that works for you. We come to your home, office, or storage lot anywhere in the metro—no emissions test, inspection, or repairs needed, and non-running vehicles are welcome.

3

Sign title and get pickup confirmation

10-15 minutes

On pickup day, you sign the title and hand over the keys (if available). The driver gives you a pickup confirmation—keep this as proof of your donation date for your records and tax preparer. Your vehicle is then transported for sale on behalf of Heritage for the Blind.

4

Vehicle sells and Rev Up Local sends your tax paperwork

Within 30 days of sale

Once your vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind prepares your IRS-compliant paperwork. For sales over $500, you receive IRS Form 1098-C by mail. For $500 or under, you receive a written acknowledgment you can use to support your deduction claim on your federal return.

5

File your taxes and claim your deduction

During tax prep

Give your 1098-C or written acknowledgment and pickup confirmation to your tax professional or use them when you prepare your return. If you itemize on Schedule A, you may deduct the qualifying amount for the year you donated—so donations by Dec 31 may affect this year’s return.

Year-end tax deduction facts

Deduction is based on sale price, not KBB

For vehicles that sell for more than $500, the IRS requires that your deduction be based on the actual gross sale proceeds, not Kelley Blue Book. Heritage for the Blind reports that sale price to you on IRS Form 1098-C.

Over $500 requires IRS Form 1098-C

If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind will mail you IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. This form shows the sale price, which is typically the maximum amount you may deduct if you itemize.

$500 or less uses written acknowledgment

If your vehicle sells for $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment instead of Form 1098-C. In that case, you may generally deduct up to $500 or the vehicle’s fair market value, whichever is lower, when you itemize on Schedule A.

You must itemize on Schedule A

To claim a car donation deduction, the IRS requires you to itemize your deductions on Schedule A of your federal return. If you take the standard deduction, you generally can’t claim an additional charitable deduction for your donated vehicle.

Donate by Dec 31 for this year’s return

Your donation counts for the tax year in which you donate, not when the vehicle sells. As long as you complete your donation and transfer the vehicle by December 31, it may be deductible for this year, subject to IRS rules and your tax situation.

FAQ

If I donate on December 31 in St. Louis, does it count for this tax year?
Yes. Your donation is generally counted in the year you transfer the vehicle—so if you complete the donation and title transfer by December 31, it may be deductible for this tax year, even if the car sells later. Keep your pickup confirmation as proof of the donation date and confirm details with your tax professional.
How much can I actually deduct for my donated car?
If your vehicle sells for more than $500, your deduction is typically limited to the gross sale price shown on IRS Form 1098-C, not Kelley Blue Book. If it sells for $500 or less, you can usually deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is lower. You must itemize on Schedule A to claim the deduction—always confirm specifics with a tax advisor.
When will I get my tax paperwork after donating?
You’ll receive an initial pickup confirmation on donation day. After your vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind will mail your official tax receipt. For sales over $500, that’s IRS Form 1098-C; for $500 or less, it’s a written acknowledgment. By law, these are sent within 30 days of the sale. Keep everything with your tax records for filing time.
Can I deduct my car if it doesn’t run or needs repairs?
Yes, non-running and repair-needing vehicles are usually accepted across the St. Louis Metro. Your potential deduction is based on what the vehicle sells for (or up to $500/fair market value if it sells for $500 or less), not on whether it runs today. There’s no inspection or repair required before pickup, and towing is free to you.
Do I need an appraisal for my car donation?
Most donors do not need a formal appraisal. For typical car donations where the vehicle sells for more than $500, the IRS relies on the gross sale price reported on Form 1098-C. For $500 or less, you may deduct up to $500 or fair market value, whichever is lower. If you believe your situation is unusual or high-value, consult a tax professional about any appraisal requirements.
How does Rev Up Local work with Heritage for the Blind?
Rev Up Local handles your vehicle donation logistics—intake, coordination of free towing in the St. Louis Metro, and processing. Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) charity (EIN 58-2164446), receives the net proceeds from the sale to support services for people who are blind or visually impaired, and provides the IRS-required donation receipts and Form 1098-C when needed.
Can I still benefit if I’m taking the standard deduction?
If you take the standard deduction, you generally cannot claim an additional federal deduction for your car donation. However, many donors still choose to give to support Heritage for the Blind’s mission and to clear a vehicle quickly with free towing. To know whether itemizing and claiming the deduction makes sense for you, talk with a tax professional before filing.

Related donation guides

Donate Before Year-End
Donate your car before year-end →
December Deadline
December car donation deadline →
Before December 31
Donate your car before December 31 →
Donate your car in the St. Louis Metro now and lock in your potential year-end tax benefit. Our 2‑minute form and Monday–Saturday dispatch make it easy to donate before the December 31 deadline. Pickup is free anywhere in the metro, non-running vehicles are welcome, and you’ll receive the IRS-required tax receipt—Form 1098-C for vehicles sold over $500—from Heritage for the Blind. Don’t wait until January. Start your donation or call Rev Up Local today and turn your car into a 2024 tax deduction and real support for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Related pages

Donate Before Year-End
Donate your car before year-end →
December Deadline
December car donation deadline →
Before December 31
Donate your car before December 31 →

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