If your car is picked up on or before December 31 in the Charleston Metro area, that pickup date is your IRS donation date and counts for this tax year. With Wheels of Hope, the process is fast: a 2‑minute form or quick call, a coordinator calling you back within 1–2 business hours, and in most metro areas a licensed tow truck can arrive the same day or the next business day. You don’t need current registration, an inspection, or a running vehicle—just the title ready to sign at pickup.
Wheels of Hope partners with Heritage for the Blind, a local‑minded 501(c)(3) (EIN 58‑2164446) whose proceeds fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired. We regularly serve donors across Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island, Summerville, Goose Creek, Hanahan, and beyond. From downtown near King Street and the Medical District to suburbs like Daniel Island and Ladson, we make your year‑end car donation simple, fast, and fully compliant with IRS rules. If you’re ready to donate, go straight to the form or call now and reserve a pickup slot before December 31.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute donation form or call
About 2 minutesSubmit the short Wheels of Hope form online or call to donate through our partner Heritage for the Blind. You’ll provide basic info about your vehicle and your Charleston-area pickup address (home, work, or storage lot). No photos, emissions, or inspection needed—just accurate contact details so we can reach you quickly.
Get a quick scheduling call-back
Within 1–2 business hoursA donation coordinator calls you back within 1–2 hours on weekdays (and as quickly as possible on weekends) to confirm details and schedule your free pickup. You can request the earliest slot available in the Charleston Metro so your vehicle is picked up on or before December 31 for this year’s deduction.
Confirm your free tow pickup date and window
Same day or next business day in most metrosIn most metro areas, including Charleston, North Charleston, and Mount Pleasant, we can arrange a licensed tow truck for same-day or next-business-day pickup, Monday–Saturday. You choose a time window that works for you. Once that pickup is set for on or before December 31, you’re on track to lock in this year’s tax benefit.
Hand over keys and sign the title at pickup
10–15 minutes at your curbThe tow driver meets you at your Charleston-area location—whether that’s West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island, Summerville, or elsewhere. You’ll sign the title over and hand over the keys (if you have them). Your car doesn’t need to run, pass inspection, or have current registration. The physical pickup date becomes your IRS donation date.
Vehicle sale and tax receipt by mail
Within 30 days of saleYour donated vehicle is transported, processed, and sold. Heritage for the Blind then mails you IRS Form 1098‑C or a written acknowledgment within 30 days of the sale. This shows the gross sale price that generally determines your deduction amount when you itemize on Schedule A.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup = this year’s donation date
For IRS purposes, the date your car is picked up is the date of your charitable contribution. If your vehicle is towed on or before December 31 in Charleston, it is treated as a donation for the current tax year.
Form 1098-C documents your deduction
After your vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind sends IRS Form 1098‑C or a written acknowledgment within 30 days. This form states the vehicle’s sale price and is what you use to support your deduction with your tax return.
Deduction usually equals the sale price
In most cases, the amount you can deduct is the gross sale price of the donated vehicle listed on Form 1098‑C. You generally claim this when you itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal income tax return.
Non-running and unregistered cars still qualify
The IRS doesn’t require your car to run, pass inspection, or be currently registered to qualify as a charitable vehicle donation. As long as you legally own it and sign over the title, it can usually be accepted.
You must itemize to claim the deduction
Vehicle donations are charitable contributions. To benefit, you typically need to itemize deductions on Schedule A. Consult your tax advisor to confirm how a car donation will affect your personal tax situation.