If your vehicle is picked up on or before December 31, the IRS counts your car donation for this tax year—even if the car is sold later. With Steel City Wheels here in the Pittsburgh Metro, you can start in about two minutes, schedule a free tow on your timeline, and receive a written acknowledgment for your taxes after the car is sold. The physical pickup date is what matters for your deduction year, so locking in a Dec 31 (or earlier) pickup is the key step.
We partner with Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 58-2164446), to turn your car into support for people who are blind or visually impaired. We serve donors across Pittsburgh—from Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, and Bloomfield to the North Hills, South Hills, Monroeville, Robinson, and Cranberry. Your car doesn’t need to run, pass inspection, or even have current registration. Just start the quick form or call, answer a few basic questions, and our team will schedule a licensed tow truck—usually same-day or next business day in most metro areas—so you can meet the December 31 deadline with confidence.
Your year-end donation timeline
Step 1 – Start the 2-minute form or call Steel City Wheels
About 2 minutesProvide your contact info, Pittsburgh-area pickup address, and basic vehicle details, or call to share them by phone. No emissions, inspection, or registration required. Once you submit, your request goes straight to our Heritage for the Blind donation coordinators so they can move fast to get you on the calendar before December 31.
Step 2 – Get a callback in 1–2 business hours
Usually within 1–2 hours on weekdaysA donation coordinator calls you back (often much faster during business hours) to confirm details and offer available pickup windows. You choose the date and time that works, including rush requests. To lock in this tax year, select a slot on or before December 31 in the Pittsburgh Metro whenever available.
Step 3 – Free licensed tow pickup at your address
Same-day or next business day in most metro areasA professional, licensed tow truck arrives at the Pittsburgh-area location you chose—home, work, or a shop. In many metro zip codes, we can pick up the same day or the next business day. The tow is completely free, and non-running, damaged, or failed-inspection vehicles are welcome.
Step 4 – Sign your title at pickup and lock in the date
About 5–10 minutesAt pickup, you hand over the keys (if you have them) and sign the Pennsylvania title over following the instructions we provide. Once the driver takes possession of the vehicle on or before December 31, that pickup date becomes your official IRS donation date for this tax year.
Step 5 – Vehicle is sold and your tax receipt is mailed
Receipt typically mailed within 30 days of saleHeritage for the Blind processes and sells your vehicle. After the sale, they mail you a written acknowledgment—often an IRS Form 1098-C—for your records. This shows the gross proceeds from the sale that you may use when you itemize deductions on your federal return.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup controls which tax year you claim
For car donations, the IRS uses the date you transfer the vehicle—when the tow truck picks it up and you sign the title—as the donation date. If that happens on or before December 31, you may claim the deduction for this tax year.
Form 1098-C and written acknowledgment
After your vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind sends you a written acknowledgment, often using IRS Form 1098-C. This document lists important details, including the sale date and gross proceeds, which support your deduction if you itemize on Schedule A.
Deduction usually equals the sale price
In most cases, your charitable deduction is based on the gross sales price of the donated vehicle, not a price guide estimate. The amount shown on your 1098-C or acknowledgment is what you’ll generally use when you claim the deduction on your federal tax return.
Schedule A and itemizing your deduction
To benefit from a car-donation tax deduction, you must itemize your deductions using Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Consult your tax preparer or advisor to confirm whether itemizing makes sense for your situation this year.
30-day receipt window after the sale
The IRS expects a timely acknowledgment. Heritage for the Blind mails your written receipt within 30 days after the vehicle is sold. You don’t need that receipt to schedule pickup—only later when you file your taxes and support the deduction.