Donate your car in the Birmingham Metro by December 31 and you may claim a 2024 charitable tax deduction. Here’s how it works: if your vehicle sells for over $500, your deduction usually equals the car’s gross sale price (not Kelley Blue Book). After it sells, Heartfelt Rides mails you IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. If it sells for $500 or less, you’ll use our written acknowledgment and may deduct up to $500 or the car’s fair market value, whichever is lower. To claim the deduction, you must itemize on Schedule A and keep your pickup confirmation as proof of your donation date. Always consult a tax professional about your specific situation.
Heartfelt Rides makes Birmingham car donation fast and local-feeling. From Mountain Brook, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, and Homewood to Trussville, Bessemer, Gardendale, and Alabaster, we arrange free towing—running or not—usually within a few days, Monday through Saturday. No inspection, emissions test, or repairs are required. You start with a simple 2-minute online form or quick phone call. We coordinate pickup anywhere in the Birmingham Metro, sell the vehicle, send your IRS-required paperwork, and direct proceeds to Heritage for the Blind to support people who are blind or visually impaired. You get clutter out of your driveway before year-end and a clear, documented path to your potential 2024 tax deduction.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute donation form or call
2 minutesEnter your contact and vehicle details online in about two minutes, or give us a quick call. In Birmingham, we’ll confirm basic information, answer your year-end tax questions, and lock in your intended donation date as long as you schedule pickup by December 31.
Schedule free pickup anywhere in Birmingham Metro
5 minutesChoose a convenient pickup window Monday–Saturday. We tow from driveways, street parking, apartments, and workplaces across Hoover, Homewood, Trussville, Bessemer, Alabaster, and more. You’ll receive a pickup confirmation—keep this as proof of your donation date for your tax records.
Sign the title and hand over the keys
10 minutesOn pickup day, simply sign your Alabama title and provide any required ownership documents. Our driver takes care of loading the vehicle. No repairs, emissions, or detailing are necessary. You’ll receive a towing receipt on the spot confirming that your car was picked up for Heartfelt Rides.
We sell your vehicle and report the sale price
Varies by saleHeartfelt Rides arranges the sale of your donated vehicle after towing. Once it sells, we record the gross sale price. This amount is what typically controls your allowable deduction if the sale is over $500, subject to IRS rules. You don’t have to manage or negotiate the sale yourself.
Receive your tax paperwork and claim your deduction
Within 30 days of saleIf your car sells for more than $500, we mail IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. For $500 or less, you receive a written acknowledgment. Use this with your pickup confirmation to itemize on Schedule A and claim your charitable deduction. Always confirm with your tax professional.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Deduction usually equals sale price over $500
If Heartfelt Rides sells your donated vehicle for more than $500, the IRS generally limits your deduction to the vehicle’s gross sale price—not Kelley Blue Book. The final sale price appears on your Form 1098-C.
Special rule for vehicles valued at $500 or less
If the vehicle sells for $500 or less, you may usually deduct up to $500 or the car’s fair market value, whichever is lower, using our written acknowledgment instead of Form 1098-C. Keep this with your tax records.
You must itemize on Schedule A to deduct
A car donation is a charitable contribution. To claim it, you must file Form 1040 and itemize deductions on Schedule A. If you take the standard deduction, you typically cannot claim an additional car donation deduction.
Form 1098-C mailed within 30 days of sale
For vehicles sold over $500, Heartfelt Rides sends IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days after the car sells. This form lists the sale date and amount and is your primary proof of the allowable deduction for that vehicle.
Donate by Dec 31 for this year’s deduction
The key deadline is the donation date, not the sale date. As long as your vehicle is donated (picked up or officially transferred) by December 31, your potential deduction is typically for that tax year. Keep your pickup confirmation as proof.