If you want your car donation to count for this year’s taxes, the IRS looks at the date your vehicle is picked up—not the day you call. That means your car must be physically towed away by 11:59 p.m. on December 31 to claim the deduction for this tax year. With Wheel Give Back, we recommend scheduling your Norfolk pickup at least 3–5 business days before December 31 so Heritage for the Blind can dispatch a licensed local tow truck in time.
Wheel Give Back serves donors across Norfolk and the greater Hampton Roads area—whether you’re in Ghent, Ocean View, East Beach, Berkley, Park Place, Colonial Place, Downtown, Larchmont, Norview, Military Circle, or near Naval Station Norfolk. Heritage for the Blind, a registered 501(c)(3), arranges free pickup Monday–Saturday, even during the holiday rush, and accepts most vehicles, including non-running cars, at no cost to you. Your donation helps fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired, and you receive a tax acknowledgment after the vehicle sells. Start now and lock in your year-end deduction while helping neighbors in need across Norfolk and Hampton Roads.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2‑minute donor form or call us
2 minutesEnter your contact info, vehicle details, and Norfolk pickup location—whether it’s your home in Ghent, a shop in Military Highway, or base housing near Naval Station Norfolk. It takes about two minutes, and you’ll immediately start the process to secure a pre–Dec 31 pickup slot.
Choose your preferred pickup window
5 minutesA friendly Heritage for the Blind scheduling specialist confirms your details and offers a pickup day and time, Monday–Saturday. For a year‑end deduction, select a date on or before December 31 and aim to book at least 3–5 business days ahead so local Norfolk tow partners can fit you in.
Prepare your keys and title for towing day
10 minutesBefore your pickup in neighborhoods like Ocean View, Downtown, or Park Place, remove personal items and have the signed title and keys ready. No inspection or repairs are required. Non‑running vehicles are fine—just tell us where the car is parked so the tow truck can access it easily.
Vehicle is picked up—your IRS donation date is locked
Pickup dayWhen the tow truck arrives and removes your vehicle on or before December 31, that date becomes your official IRS donation date. You’ll receive a preliminary towing receipt showing that Heritage for the Blind accepted your vehicle in the current tax year.
Receive your written tax acknowledgment
Within weeks after saleAfter your vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind mails your written acknowledgment. For vehicles valued over $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098‑C. Even though the paperwork arrives later, your deduction applies to the year in which the vehicle was picked up—not the year it sold.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date = deduction year
The IRS counts your vehicle donation as complete on the date Heritage for the Blind physically picks up your car. If the tow happens by December 31, you can claim the deduction for that tax year.
Form 1098‑C for donations over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind will provide IRS Form 1098‑C. You use this form, along with Schedule A, to substantiate your charitable vehicle deduction.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To claim a car donation deduction, you generally need to itemize deductions on IRS Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Talk with your tax professional to confirm what works best for your situation.
Written acknowledgment follows the sale
Your detailed written acknowledgment is mailed after the vehicle sells, often weeks later. That timing does not change your deduction year—the year is based on the pickup date, not when you receive the letter.
30‑day acknowledgment requirement
For most vehicle donations, the charity must send a written acknowledgment within 30 days of the sale. Keep this document with your tax records; it confirms the sale amount and your eligibility for a deduction.