In Texas, the IRS goes by the day your vehicle is physically picked up—not the day you schedule. To claim your car donation with Rev Up Giving for this tax year, your vehicle must be towed or driven away on or before December 31. That means you should schedule your pickup at least 3–5 business days before year-end so Heritage for the Blind can dispatch a truck in time. Once your car is picked up, your deduction is tied to that calendar year, even though your written acknowledgment and Form 1098‑C (for vehicles over $500) arrive later, after the sale.
Rev Up Giving makes it easy for Texans to donate quickly with free pickup across the state—from Houston Heights, Katy, Sugar Land, and Pearland to Dallas, Plano, Irving, Fort Worth, Austin, Round Rock, San Antonio, El Paso, Lubbock, and the Rio Grande Valley. Heritage for the Blind, a trusted 501(c)(3), handles your donation and uses proceeds to support people who are blind or visually impaired. We accept most vehicles, running or not, with no inspection or repairs required. Our team operates Monday through Saturday, even through the holiday season, so you can beat the December 31 deadline and clear that car out of your driveway while securing a meaningful tax deduction.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your 2-minute donation form or call
2 minutesShare your Texas location, basic vehicle details, and how to reach you. It really is about 2 minutes of questions. This is the moment you tell us you need pickup completed before December 31 so we prioritize your year-end tax deadline.
Choose a pickup day before December 31
5 minutesA Heritage for the Blind representative contacts you to schedule. Tell them your latest acceptable date. To be safe, pick a date at least 3–5 business days before December 31 so a truck can reach you anywhere in Texas on time.
Prepare your title and vehicle for pickup
10–15 minutesRemove personal items, locate your title, and have your keys ready. In most cases, no emissions test, inspection, or repairs are needed. Non-running vehicles in Texas are fine—we’ll tow them at no cost to you.
Vehicle is picked up—your deduction year is locked
Day of pickupOn your scheduled day, the tow driver collects the vehicle and title. The IRS counts this date as your donation date. As long as pickup happens by December 31, your deduction applies to that tax year, even if the sale happens later.
Receive your acknowledgment and tax paperwork
Within weeks of saleAfter Heritage for the Blind sells your vehicle, you receive a written acknowledgment. For vehicles valued over $500, you’ll get IRS Form 1098‑C. You’ll use this and Schedule A when you file, claiming the deduction for the year of pickup.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Donation date is the pickup date
For the IRS, your car donation date is when the vehicle is actually picked up, not when you call or submit the form. In Texas, to claim this year’s deduction, your pickup must occur by December 31.
Form 1098‑C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind mails you IRS Form 1098‑C. This shows the sale price, which generally becomes the maximum amount you can deduct on your federal return.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To use a car donation as a federal tax deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Talk with a tax professional to confirm what’s best for your specific Texas tax situation.
Acknowledgment usually within 30 days of sale
The charity typically mails your written acknowledgment and, when needed, Form 1098‑C within about 30 days after the vehicle is sold. Your deduction year is still based on the pickup date, not the mailing date.
December 31 pickup equals this year’s deduction
Even if your car sells weeks later, a pickup on or before December 31 means the deduction applies to that same tax year. Schedule at least 3–5 business days ahead so your Texas pickup can be completed on time.