In the Birmingham Metro, your car donation only counts for this tax year if the vehicle is physically picked up on or before December 31. The IRS uses the pickup date as the official donation date—not the day you schedule or submit your form. That means if your car is collected on January 2, the deduction applies to next year’s return, even if you called in December. To lock in your tax deduction for this year, Heartfelt Rides strongly recommends scheduling your free pickup at least 3–5 business days before December 31.
Heartfelt Rides partners with Heritage for the Blind, a local-serving 501(c)(3), to turn your car into vital support for people who are blind or visually impaired. We operate Monday–Saturday throughout the holiday season, with fast pickup anywhere in the Birmingham Metro—from Hoover, Homewood, and Vestavia Hills to Trussville, Bessemer, Gardendale, and Pelham. We accept most vehicles, running or not, with no inspections or repairs required. Once your car sells, Heritage for the Blind mails your written acknowledgment (and IRS Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500). The deduction year is based on the pickup date, so if we collect your car by December 31 in Birmingham, it counts for this year’s taxes.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your 2-minute donation form or call
2 minutesShare a few quick details about your vehicle and your Birmingham-area pickup location—whether you’re in downtown, Hoover, Homewood, or beyond. It takes about two minutes, and you don’t need the title in hand to start the conversation. We’ll answer your year-end tax timing questions on the spot.
Choose a pickup day before Dec 31
5 minutesOur team schedules Monday–Saturday pickups across the Birmingham Metro. To help ensure a pickup by December 31, contact us 3–5 business days before year-end. We’ll work to confirm a date so your vehicle is physically collected in time for this year’s tax deduction.
Prepare your keys and title (if available)
10–15 minutesBefore your tow truck arrives, remove personal items and have your keys and title ready if you have it. In many Alabama cases we can still guide you if the title is misplaced. No emissions test, inspection, or repairs are required—non-running vehicles in driveways or parking lots are welcome.
Vehicle picked up by Dec 31 = this year’s deduction
Day of pickupOn the scheduled day, our driver tows your vehicle at no cost anywhere in the Birmingham Metro. The IRS treats this pickup date as your official donation date. If it’s on or before December 31, your tax deduction applies to this current filing year.
Receive your tax receipt and Form 1098-C (if applicable)
Within weeks after saleAfter Heritage for the Blind sells your vehicle, they mail a written acknowledgment. For vehicles valued over $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C. Even if the paperwork arrives weeks later, the deduction year remains tied to the actual pickup date in Birmingham.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup controls the deduction year
For car donations, the IRS uses the date your vehicle is actually picked up as the donation date. If your Birmingham pickup happens by December 31, it counts for this tax year, even if the sale and paperwork occur later.
Written acknowledgment and Form 1098-C
Heritage for the Blind sends a written acknowledgment after your vehicle is sold. If the vehicle’s deductible value is over $500, they issue IRS Form 1098-C, which you attach to your return for larger charitable vehicle deductions.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most car donations, the IRS limits your deduction to the gross proceeds from the charity’s sale of the vehicle. Your acknowledgment or Form 1098-C will state this amount, which you claim when you itemize deductions on Schedule A.
Itemizing on Schedule A is required
To benefit from a charitable car donation, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal return. If you take the standard deduction instead, you generally can’t claim an additional write-off for your donated vehicle.
Receipt timing vs. tax year
You may receive your acknowledgment or 1098-C weeks after pickup, once the car sells. This does not change the tax year. The deduction still applies to the year in which your Birmingham vehicle was physically picked up.