Need your car donation to count for this tax year? In the eyes of the IRS, the donation date is when your vehicle is physically picked up—not when you call or submit the form. To claim a deduction for this year, Lone Star Wheels and Heritage for the Blind must pick up your vehicle on or before December 31. Because trucks fill up fast at year-end, we strongly recommend scheduling your free pickup 3–5 business days before December 31 to secure your spot. Non-running vehicles are welcome, and there’s no inspection or repairs required.
Lone Star Wheels serves the entire Greater Houston area—whether you’re in The Heights, Montrose, Midtown, Westchase, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, Baytown, Spring, The Woodlands, Cypress, or Clear Lake. Heritage for the Blind operates Monday through Saturday throughout the holiday season, so we can usually work around your work and holiday plans. Your donated vehicle is sold to support services for people who are blind or visually impaired, and you receive a written acknowledgment for your taxes (Form 1098-C for vehicles valued over $500). If you’re ready to clear your driveway before the New Year and secure this year’s tax deduction, start our 2-minute form or call now.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute Houston donation form or call us
2 minutesShare your contact info, vehicle details, and Houston-area location—whether you’re in Memorial, Bellaire, Kingwood, or anywhere in Greater Houston. It takes about two minutes, no paperwork or title questions required up front. Our team reviews your info and gets you moving toward a year-end pickup slot.
Pick your pickup window before December 31
5 minutesA Lone Star Wheels coordinator confirms your details and offers you the earliest available pickup windows. For a deduction this tax year, choose a pickup date on or before December 31. Around Houston’s holiday rush, schedule at least 3–5 business days before year-end so you don’t miss the cutoff.
Prepare your vehicle and keys—running or not
10 minutesRemove personal items, have the keys and title ready, and place them in an easy-to-access spot. We accept non-running vehicles at no cost to you, from downtown condos to driveways in Katy, Cypress, and League City. No emissions test, no repairs, and no cleaning required for pickup.
Meet the tow driver on pickup day (your IRS date)
15–20 minutesOn pickup day, the tow driver arrives at your Greater Houston location, completes a quick handoff, and tows your vehicle away for free. This pickup date is what the IRS uses as your official donation date for this year’s tax deduction, as long as it’s on or before December 31.
Receive your tax acknowledgment and Form 1098-C (if applicable)
VariesAfter your vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment. For vehicles valued over $500, you receive IRS Form 1098-C. Even if the sale and form arrive after New Year’s, your deduction applies to the tax year in which the vehicle was picked up—December 31 or earlier.
Year-end tax deduction facts
IRS counts the pickup date, not the call date
For vehicle donations, the IRS treats the donation as occurring on the date the charity takes possession of the car. That means your deduction year is based on the actual pickup date, not the day you scheduled or signed anything online or by phone.
December 31 pickup = this year’s deduction
To claim a deduction for this tax year, your car must be picked up on or before December 31. A pickup on January 1 or later moves your deduction to the next tax year, even if you scheduled in December. Schedule 3–5 business days early to be safe.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle is sold for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098-C. This form reports the gross proceeds, which usually set your maximum deduction amount. You attach this form to your return if you itemize deductions on Schedule A.
You typically deduct the sale price, not Blue Book
In most cases, your allowable deduction is the amount Heritage for the Blind receives when your vehicle is sold, not its estimated retail value. There are limited exceptions; consult your tax advisor if you believe your situation qualifies for a different valuation method.
Receipts can arrive after New Year’s and still count
Your tax deduction is tied to the pickup date, not when you receive the acknowledgment or Form 1098-C. Even if the vehicle sells and the form is mailed in the new year, the deduction year remains the calendar year in which the car was picked up.