In Charleston, the IRS counts your car donation on the date your vehicle is physically picked up—not the day you schedule it. That means your car must be towed or driven away no later than December 31 for you to claim a deduction on this year’s taxes. To be safe, Wheels of Hope recommends scheduling your free pickup 3–5 business days before December 31. Heritage for the Blind, our 501(c)(3) partner (EIN 58-2164446), dispatches Monday–Saturday through the holiday season to help you meet the year-end deadline.
Wheels of Hope serves the entire Charleston Metro—Downtown and West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, James and Johns Island, Summerville, Goose Creek, Hanahan, Ladson, and more. We accept running and non-running vehicles at no cost to you, with no inspection or repairs required. Your car is sold and the proceeds support programs for people who are blind or visually impaired. You’ll receive a written acknowledgment, and if the vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind will provide IRS Form 1098-C. Start now, finish a quick 2-minute form or phone call, and secure your pickup date before the New Year’s Eve rush.
Your year-end donation timeline
Check your calendar and act before the holiday rush
2 minutesLook at your calendar and count back 3–5 business days from December 31. That’s the latest you should schedule to be sure your pickup happens this tax year in the Charleston Metro.
Start the 2-minute donation form or call to schedule
2–3 minutesProvide basic details: your contact info, vehicle location (Downtown, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, etc.), and car condition. It takes just a couple of minutes, and no title questions or mechanical details will slow you down.
Lock in your pickup date and time window
5–10 minutesA scheduling specialist confirms a pickup day and time window that works for you, Monday–Saturday. Make sure your appointment is no later than December 31, since the IRS uses the actual pickup date for your deduction year.
Prepare your keys, title, and access for the tow truck
10–15 minutesRemove personal items, have your title and keys ready, and clear access for the tow truck at your home, condo, or workplace. Non-running vehicles are fine—just let us know so the driver can bring the right equipment.
Complete pickup and receive your initial donation receipt
5–10 minutesOn pickup day, you sign the necessary paperwork and hand over the title if required. You’ll get an initial receipt showing the date—this is the date the IRS uses to determine your deduction year.
Receive your written acknowledgment and any Form 1098-C
After saleAfter your vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind mails your written acknowledgment. If it sells for more than $500, you’ll also receive IRS Form 1098-C for your records when you file Schedule A.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date controls your tax year
The IRS treats the donation as made on the date your vehicle is actually picked up. If your car is towed on or before December 31, it counts for this tax year—even if the sale happens later.
Written acknowledgment is mailed after the sale
Your official donation acknowledgment is sent after Heritage for the Blind sells your vehicle. You don’t need it by December 31; you just need pickup by December 31 to claim the deduction for this year.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind will send you IRS Form 1098-C. You’ll typically use this to support your deduction when you itemize on Schedule A.
Itemizing on Schedule A
Car donations are generally claimed as charitable contributions when you itemize deductions on IRS Schedule A. If you don’t itemize, you won’t usually receive additional tax benefit from the donation.
30-day written acknowledgment window
For larger vehicle donations, the IRS expects the charity to provide a written acknowledgment, usually within 30 days of the sale. The timing of this letter doesn’t change the year of your deduction—the pickup date does.