To claim your car donation on this year’s taxes, the IRS goes by the date your vehicle is actually picked up – not the date you call or fill out the form. That means your car must be physically towed or driven away by December 31 to count for this tax year. AutoBay Alliance, benefiting Heritage for the Blind, offers free pickup across the San Francisco Bay Area, Monday through Saturday, including during the holiday season. To be safe, schedule 3–5 business days before December 31 so we can secure your pickup slot in time.
Whether you’re in the Mission, Sunset, Richmond, SoMa, Pacific Heights, or across the Bay in Oakland, Berkeley, Daly City, San Mateo, or Walnut Creek, you can complete our fast, 2-minute online form or call to get started today. We accept most vehicles, including non-running cars, with no smog check, inspection, or repairs needed. After your car sells, Heritage for the Blind mails you the required written acknowledgment (and IRS Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500), but your deduction is locked in for the year based on the pickup date. Donate now and turn your car into a same-year tax deduction and vital support for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesComplete AutoBay Alliance’s simple online form or call our San Francisco Bay Area line with your vehicle info and best contact number. It takes about two minutes and there’s no obligation. We’ll confirm your location anywhere from San Francisco to the wider Bay Area and start the scheduling process right away.
Choose a pickup window before Dec 31
5 minutesOur Monday–Saturday dispatch team, serving San Francisco and nearby cities like Oakland, Berkeley, Daly City, and San Mateo, helps you pick a pickup day and time. Schedule 3–5 business days before December 31 to be sure your car is physically picked up in time for this year’s tax deduction.
Prepare your keys and title
10–15 minutesBefore the tow truck arrives, remove personal items and have your keys and title ready, if available. In most cases, title issues can be addressed—just mention them when you schedule. No smog check, repairs, or detailing are required; we accept vehicles in as‑is condition, including non‑running cars anywhere in the Bay Area.
Free pickup on your scheduled date
15–30 minutesOn your confirmed pickup day, our driver arrives, completes a quick handoff, and tows your vehicle at no cost. The IRS donation date is this physical pickup date. As long as that date is on or before December 31, your donation counts for this tax year, even if the car sells later.
Receive your tax acknowledgment and 1098-C
After vehicle saleHeritage for the Blind processes and sells your donated car. Once sold, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment by mail, and for vehicles sold for more than $500, you’ll also receive IRS Form 1098‑C. Keep this with your tax records and claim your deduction for the year in which your vehicle was picked up.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date controls your tax year
For the IRS, the key date is when your vehicle is actually picked up and transferred, not when you call or fill out the form. If the tow happens on or before December 31, your donation applies to that tax year.
Written acknowledgment & IRS Form 1098-C
After your car sells, Heritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment. If the vehicle sells for more than $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098‑C, which you use to document the donation value on your return.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, the IRS limits your deduction to the gross sale price of the vehicle shown on Form 1098‑C. There are some exceptions, but typically you claim the actual sale amount, not an estimated Blue Book value.
Itemizing on Schedule A
To benefit from a car donation tax deduction, you must itemize deductions on your federal return using Schedule A. If you take the standard deduction instead, the vehicle donation generally will not reduce your taxable income.
30-day receipt timing
The acknowledgment and Form 1098‑C are usually sent within a few weeks after your vehicle sells. Even if the form arrives the following year, your deduction applies to the year when the car was picked up, per IRS rules.