If you want your Detroit car donation to count for this tax year, the IRS cares about one date: the day your vehicle is actually picked up. Scheduling alone is not enough. For a 2024 deduction, a MotorCity Wheels tow truck, on behalf of Heritage for the Blind, must physically pick up your car, truck, SUV, or van by 11:59 p.m. on December 31. We recommend locking in your pickup 3–5 business days before year-end so you beat the rush and guarantee your slot.
MotorCity Wheels is proudly local to Metro Detroit. Whether your car is in Midtown, Corktown, the University District, or parked in the driveway in Dearborn, Southfield, Warren, Sterling Heights, or along I‑94 in Roseville, we make year-end donation simple. Heritage for the Blind runs Monday through Saturday all through the holiday season, and we accept non-running vehicles at no cost to you. After your vehicle sells, you’ll get the required written acknowledgment (and IRS Form 1098‑C for vehicles over $500). Your deduction year is based on the pickup date, not when the paperwork arrives. Donate locally, support people who are blind or visually impaired, clear your driveway, and secure your 2024 tax deduction in one quick step.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your 2‑minute donation form or call
2 minutesShare basic details about your vehicle and where it’s located in Metro Detroit—whether that’s downtown, Livonia, Troy, or downriver. It takes about two minutes. Be honest about the condition; non-running cars are fine. The earlier you reach out before December 31, the more pickup options you’ll have.
Choose your pickup window before Dec 31
5 minutesOur team, working with Heritage for the Blind, will confirm a pickup day and time that fits your schedule, Monday through Saturday. To safely meet the IRS deadline, we recommend choosing a pickup at least 3–5 business days before December 31, especially across busy corridors like I‑75, I‑696, and the Lodge.
Prepare your title and clear access
10–15 minutesLocate your Michigan title and driver’s license so ownership can be transferred at pickup. Make sure the vehicle is accessible—driveway, street spot in Hamtramck, or apartment lot in Royal Oak. No cleaning, inspection, or repairs are required. You can remove plates and personal items before the tow truck arrives.
Vehicle is physically picked up (your IRS date)
15–30 minutesWhen the tow truck arrives and your vehicle is loaded, that pickup date becomes your official IRS donation date. If this happens on or before December 31, you’ve locked in your deduction for this tax year—even though the car may sell later in the new year.
Receive your written tax acknowledgment
Within weeks after saleAfter Heritage for the Blind sells your vehicle, they’ll mail your written acknowledgment and IRS Form 1098‑C (if the vehicle sells for more than $500). The deduction amount is generally the gross sale price, and your tax year remains tied to that earlier pickup date you secured before December 31.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup = this year’s deduction
For the IRS, the donation date is when the charity takes control of your car. If your vehicle is picked up on or before December 31, you may claim the deduction on this year’s return, even if the sale and paperwork happen later.
Form 1098‑C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind will issue IRS Form 1098‑C. This form shows key details about the sale that you’ll need to support your deduction when you file your federal return.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most car donations, the IRS lets you deduct the charity’s gross sale price of the vehicle, not a Blue Book estimate. Your acknowledgment letter or Form 1098‑C will list that amount for you to report when you itemize.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To claim a car donation deduction, you must itemize your deductions using Schedule A on your federal return. If you take the standard deduction, you generally cannot also claim this charitable vehicle deduction.
Written acknowledgment within about 30 days of sale
The IRS requires that the charity send you a written acknowledgment within 30 days of selling your vehicle. The year of your deduction, however, is locked in by the pickup date, not the date you receive the letter or Form 1098‑C.