Donating a car from the Charleston Metro for a 2024 tax deduction? The IRS deadline is clear: your vehicle must be picked up and donated by 11:59 p.m. on December 31. With Wheels of Hope, pickups run Monday–Saturday all the way through December 31, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Call or submit our 2-minute form by December 27 (December 28 at the latest) to guarantee a December 31 pickup window in most Charleston-area locations, as long as you have a signed title ready.
Wheels of Hope partners with Heritage for the Blind, a registered 501(c)(3), to turn your vehicle into services for people who are blind or visually impaired. We serve the entire Charleston Metro—downtown Charleston, West Ashley, James Island, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Hanahan, Goose Creek, Summerville, Johns Island and beyond. Your tow is always 100% free, whether your car runs or not; no inspection or repairs are needed. Same-day or next-day pickups are often available for weekday calls made before early afternoon. Get your year-end tax deduction locked in now, before holiday schedules fill up—and give hope right here from the Lowcountry.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesCall Wheels of Hope or complete our quick online form with your contact info, vehicle details, and location anywhere in the Charleston Metro. It takes about two minutes and there’s no obligation. We’ll confirm that your car, truck, SUV, or van qualifies and answer any year-end tax timing questions on the spot.
Choose your pickup day and time window
5 minutesOur team checks local tow availability in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Summerville and nearby areas. For calls before early afternoon on weekdays, we can often offer same-day or next-day pickup. To ensure a December 31 slot, contact us by December 27–28. We’ll lock in a date and time window that works for you.
Prepare your signed South Carolina title
5–10 minutesTo meet the IRS requirement for a completed donation, you must sign your South Carolina vehicle title over before the tow truck arrives. We’ll walk you through where to sign. No emissions testing, repairs, or detailing are needed. Just clear out personal items and have your keys and title ready for the driver.
Free pickup anywhere in the Charleston Metro
Scheduled dayOn your scheduled day, the towing partner arrives at your home, business, or storage lot in greater Charleston—whether that’s Daniel Island, West Ashley, or Goose Creek. They’ll verify the title, complete the donation paperwork, and tow the vehicle away at no cost to you, even if it’s non-running or missing inspection stickers.
Receive your tax receipt and claim your deduction
Within 30 days of saleAfter your car is sold, Heritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment (and IRS Form 1098‑C when required) stating the sale price. You use this with your records when filing your federal return and completing Schedule A to claim your charitable deduction for this tax year.
Year-end tax deduction facts
December 31 controls which tax year
For the IRS, your deduction is based on the date the charity actually receives the vehicle, not when you call. A pickup completed on or before December 31 counts for this tax year; January 1 or later counts for next year.
Form 1098-C for larger deductions
If your donated vehicle is sold for more than the IRS threshold, Heritage for the Blind issues Form 1098‑C. You attach it to your federal return when you itemize. For vehicles under that amount, a standard written acknowledgment normally satisfies IRS rules.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, the IRS limits your car-donation deduction to the gross proceeds from the charity’s sale of the vehicle. The final sale price appears on your receipt, and that is the amount you may generally claim when you complete Schedule A and itemize.
Written receipt within about 30 days
Once your vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind prepares and mails you a written acknowledgment—typically within about 30 days of the sale. Keep this with your tax records as proof of your donation and the amount you can deduct, subject to IRS rules.
Itemizing on Schedule A
To benefit from a car-donation tax deduction, you must itemize your deductions using IRS Schedule A rather than taking the standard deduction. If you’re unsure which approach is better, ask a tax professional to review your situation.