Donate your vehicle in the Charleston Metro by 11:59 p.m. on December 31, and you may claim a car-donation deduction on this year’s federal tax return. With Wheels of Hope, your deduction usually equals the actual sale price of your vehicle, not a Kelley Blue Book estimate. If it sells for more than $500, we 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. You’ll need to itemize on Schedule A to claim the deduction. Always consult a tax professional for advice on your specific situation.
We make it easy for Charleston donors—from West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Summerville, Goose Creek, James Island, Johns Island, Daniel Island, Hanahan, Ladson and beyond. Our free towing runs Monday–Saturday, and we accept most vehicles, running or not, with no inspection or repairs needed. The day we pick up your car is the day your donation counts for IRS purposes, so keep your pickup confirmation as proof of your donation date. You get a straightforward tax benefit, and Wheels of Hope directs proceeds to Heritage for the Blind, supporting people who are blind or visually impaired.
Your year-end donation timeline
1. Lock in your year-end date
2 minutesComplete our secure online form or call to schedule free pickup anywhere in the Charleston Metro. Choose a pickup time on or before December 31. The pickup date is what locks in your deduction year, so don’t wait until the last minute.
2. Confirm your Charleston pickup
5 minutesOur team contacts you to confirm your preferred pickup window in areas like Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, North Charleston, or Summerville. You don’t need to be present in many cases—just tell us where the keys and title will be.
3. Free tow, no prep or repairs
30–45 minutesOn pickup day, our driver tows your vehicle at no cost from your home, office, or storage lot. Non-running and damaged vehicles are welcome. You’ll receive a pickup confirmation—keep this as proof of your donation date for your tax records.
4. We sell the vehicle for you
Varies by saleWheels of Hope handles the sale—no showings, no haggling, no paperwork for you. Once your car sells, the sale price determines the potential deduction amount. We direct the proceeds to support Heritage for the Blind’s mission.
5. Receive your IRS paperwork
Within 30 days of saleIf your vehicle sells for more than $500, we mail you IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. For $500 or under, we send a written acknowledgment. Use this plus your pickup confirmation when you or your tax pro file your return.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Deduction equals sale price, not book value
For most Charleston donors, the IRS allows you to deduct the vehicle’s gross sale proceeds, not the Kelley Blue Book estimate. Once Wheels of Hope sells your car, that sale price becomes the key number for your potential deduction.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Wheels of Hope mails you IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. This form shows the sale price and is the documentation you’ll need to substantiate your larger deduction.
Special rule for $500 or less
If your car 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, subject to IRS rules.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To claim a federal deduction for your Charleston car donation, you must file Schedule A and itemize deductions. If you take the standard deduction, you typically cannot claim an additional charitable deduction for the vehicle.
December 31 controls the tax year
Your donation counts for the year in which the vehicle is picked up, not when it’s sold. As long as Wheels of Hope tows your car on or before December 31 in the Charleston area, you may claim it on that year’s return, subject to IRS limits.