In Phoenix, your car donation only counts for this year’s tax deduction if the vehicle is physically picked up by December 31. The IRS uses the pickup date, not the day you call or submit the form. To be safe, Wheels to Worth and Heritage for the Blind recommend you schedule your pickup 3–5 business days before December 31. We tow your car free anywhere in the Phoenix Metro, Monday through Saturday, including during the holiday season, and we accept non-running vehicles with no inspection or repairs required.
Wheels to Worth partners with Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) supporting people who are blind or visually impaired (EIN 58-2164446). We handle the full donation process for you across Phoenix, from Glendale, Peoria, and Surprise to Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Scottsdale, Avondale, and Goodyear. After your vehicle sells, you’ll receive written acknowledgment, including IRS Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500. Your deduction is tied to the year we pick up your car, even if the sale and paperwork finish later. If you want your deduction this tax year, start now—our year-end pickup slots fill quickly in Phoenix.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute form or call for rush year-end pickup
2 minutesShare basic info about your vehicle and Phoenix pickup location (home, work, storage lot). Tell us you need a deduction for this tax year so we prioritize a pre–December 31 pickup. No title questions or condition worries need to stop you from starting.
Lock in your Phoenix pickup window before Dec 31
5–10 minutesOur team confirms your details and offers the earliest available pickup slot, Monday–Saturday. To protect your tax deduction, we aim to schedule your tow at least 3–5 business days before December 31 within Phoenix Metro and nearby suburbs.
Prepare your keys, title, and access for the tow driver
10–15 minutesBefore your scheduled pickup, remove personal items and plates if your state requires it, and place keys and title where the driver can access them. Non-running cars are fine—we’ll handle the towing from your driveway, parking lot, or street in Phoenix.
Vehicle is picked up – your deduction year is now locked
Pickup dayOnce our tow truck physically picks up your car on or before December 31, the IRS counts that date as your donation date. You’ll receive a same-day pickup receipt confirming that your vehicle was accepted by Heritage for the Blind this tax year.
Receive your IRS-compliant tax acknowledgment after sale
Within weeks after saleYour vehicle is sold to support services for people who are blind or visually impaired. After sale, Heritage for the Blind mails your written acknowledgment—and Form 1098-C if the vehicle is valued or sold above $500—reflecting that your donation date was the pickup date.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Donation date = pickup date
For the IRS, your donation is made on the date Heritage for the Blind physically picks up your vehicle. Calling or filling out the form by December 31 is not enough—the tow must occur on or before December 31.
December 31 controls your deduction year
If your car is picked up on or before December 31, you can claim the deduction on this year’s tax return. If the pickup happens on January 1 or later, the deduction is claimed for the following tax year, even if you scheduled earlier.
Written acknowledgment and IRS Form 1098-C
After your vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind sends a written acknowledgment. If the gross proceeds or value exceed $500, you will also receive IRS Form 1098-C to document your charitable vehicle donation for your tax records.
Itemizing on Schedule A
To use a car donation deduction, you generally must itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. A tax professional can confirm whether itemizing with your vehicle donation benefits you this year.
30-day IRS timing for receipts
The IRS requires that donors receive the written acknowledgment, including Form 1098-C when applicable, within 30 days of the vehicle’s sale or disposition. Your deduction year, however, is still based on the earlier pickup date.