Donate your car in the Pittsburgh Metro by 11:59 pm on December 31 and you may claim a charitable tax deduction for this tax year if you itemize. With Steel City Wheels, most vehicles over $500 generate an IRS Form 1098-C after sale, and your deduction is based on the actual gross sale price – not a Kelley Blue Book estimate. Vehicles worth $500 or less use a written acknowledgment, and you can generally deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is lower. We email or mail your acknowledgment within 30 days of the sale, and you keep the pickup confirmation as proof of your donation date. Always consult your tax advisor about your specific return.
Steel City Wheels makes year-end giving easy for donors across Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and the surrounding suburbs – from Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, Lawrenceville, and the North Side to Bethel Park, Monroeville, Cranberry, and West Mifflin. We accept most cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans, running or not, with no inspection or repairs needed. Proceeds support Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) helping people who are blind or visually impaired. You get a potential tax deduction; your old car helps someone in need right here in the Pittsburgh region.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute donation form or call
2 minutesTell us about your vehicle and location in the Pittsburgh Metro – from Mt. Washington to Robinson, Fox Chapel, or Baldwin. We only need basic info: year, make, model, VIN (if handy), and where the car is parked. This locks in your donation intent before the December 31 IRS deadline.
Pick your free pickup time in Pittsburgh
5 minutesOur team schedules a free tow, usually Monday–Saturday, at a time that works for you. We’ll come to your home, office, or garage anywhere in greater Pittsburgh, whether you’re in Dormont, McKees Rocks, Penn Hills, or beyond. Non-running vehicles are fine; no emissions or safety inspection is required.
Sign the title and hand over the keys
5–10 minutesWhen the tow truck arrives, you’ll sign the Pennsylvania title and give the driver the keys (if available). You’ll receive a pickup confirmation or towing receipt – this shows the date you donated, which matters for claiming your deduction for this tax year if you donate by December 31.
We sell your car and process your tax paperwork
Within 30 days of saleSteel City Wheels arranges the sale of your vehicle. For vehicles over $500, your deduction is based on the gross sale price. Once sold, we send you the required written acknowledgment and, when applicable, IRS Form 1098-C, typically within 30 days of the sale date.
Claim your deduction when you file your return
Tax filing timeYou use our acknowledgment and, if applicable, IRS Form 1098-C to claim your deduction. You generally must itemize on Schedule A of your federal tax return. Keep all documents and consult a tax professional to make sure you report the donation correctly for your situation.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Steel City Wheels, benefiting Heritage for the Blind, issues IRS Form 1098-C after the sale. This form shows the sale price and is what you use to substantiate your deduction on your federal tax return.
Deduction equals gross sale price
For most vehicle donations over $500, the IRS generally limits your deduction to the gross sale proceeds – not Kelley Blue Book or a guess at value. Whatever the vehicle actually sells for is usually the maximum charitable deduction you may claim, subject to IRS limits.
Special rule for $500-and-under vehicles
If your donated car is valued at $500 or less, you receive a written acknowledgment instead of Form 1098-C. In many cases, you can deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is lower. Your tax advisor can help you determine fair market value and what you can claim.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To benefit from a car donation deduction, you generally must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal income tax return. If you take the standard deduction, you typically can’t claim an additional car donation deduction. Ask a tax professional if itemizing makes sense for you.
Dec 31 controls the tax year
The IRS looks at the date you donate the vehicle, not when it sells. If your car is picked up on or before December 31, it usually counts for this tax year, even if it sells later. Keep your pickup confirmation as proof of the donation date for your records.