In Birmingham, the IRS rule is simple: your vehicle has to be picked up by December 31 if you want your car donation to count for this tax year. With Heartfelt Rides, benefiting Heritage for the Blind (a 501(c)(3)), you can still make that deadline. We run pickups Monday–Saturday all year, including Christmas week, and in most Birmingham Metro locations we can arrange same-day or next-business-day towing when you contact us before early afternoon on weekdays. To be safe, call or submit the 2-minute form by December 27–28 to guarantee a December 31 pickup slot.
We serve the entire Birmingham Metro: from Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, and Mountain Brook, to Trussville, Bessemer, Gardendale, Pelham, Alabaster, and beyond. Your tow is always free, whether your car runs or not—no inspection, emissions, or repairs required. You just need a signed Alabama title at pickup. In a couple of minutes, you can schedule your donation, clear your driveway or garage, and support programs for people who are blind or visually impaired. If you’re staring at the calendar in November or December, this is your clear answer: December 31 is the hard cutoff—schedule your Birmingham pickup now.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesCall Heartfelt Rides or complete our quick online form with your contact info, Birmingham pickup address (anywhere across the metro), and basic vehicle details. It truly takes about two minutes, and there’s no obligation or inspection.
Lock in your December 31 pickup window
5-10 minutesOur team confirms your preferred pickup day and time, Monday–Saturday, even during Christmas week. Contact us by December 27–28 to guarantee a December 31 slot in most Birmingham Metro neighborhoods and suburbs.
Prepare your signed Alabama title
5 minutesBefore the tow truck arrives in Birmingham, sign your Alabama vehicle title as instructed. Have your keys and title ready at pickup. The vehicle can be non-running, damaged, or unused—no repairs needed for us to tow it free.
Free tow anywhere in Birmingham Metro
Varies by routeOur professional towing partner meets you at home, work, or a shop—from downtown Birmingham and Southside to Hoover, Trussville, Pelham, and surrounding areas. They quickly verify papers, load your vehicle, and you’re done.
Receive your tax receipt for this year
Within IRS timeframesHeritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment, and when the vehicle is sold you receive the IRS-required documentation for your records. As long as pickup happened by December 31, your potential deduction applies to that tax year.
Year-end tax deduction facts
December 31 controls this year’s deduction
For IRS purposes, your vehicle donation counts in the year when the charity takes possession of the car. That means your Birmingham pickup must be completed by December 31 for the deduction to apply to this tax year.
You’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C when needed
When your donated vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098-C (or a similar written acknowledgment) showing the gross sale price. You use this information when you file and keep it with your tax records.
Deduction usually equals the sale price
In most cases, the IRS lets you deduct the actual sale price of your donated vehicle, not an estimated value. Your 1098-C will show that amount so you can claim it accurately if you itemize deductions on your federal return.
Itemize on Schedule A to claim the deduction
Vehicle donations are charitable contributions. To benefit, you must itemize deductions using Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. A tax professional can help you decide what’s best for your situation.
30-day written acknowledgment requirement
The charity must send a written acknowledgment—often including Form 1098-C—within IRS timeframes after the vehicle is sold or within 30 days of the donation in certain cases. Keep this documentation with your tax records in case of questions.