In Virginia, the IRS rule is simple: your vehicle must be picked up on or before December 31 for the donation to count for this tax year. With AutoHeritage Donate, most donors who call on a weekday before early afternoon in areas like Richmond, Virginia Beach, Arlington, Norfolk, and Roanoke get same-day or next-day pickup. We dispatch Monday through Saturday all year, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s. To confidently secure a December 31 pickup slot, we recommend you call or complete our 2‑minute form by December 27 (28 at the latest). Your pickup is always free, whether your car runs or not.
AutoHeritage Donate benefits Heritage for the Blind, a Virginia‑friendly 501(c)(3) supporting people who are blind or visually impaired. We handle the details: towing from your driveway in Fairfax, townhome lot in Alexandria, condo garage in Tysons, or rural driveway in the Shenandoah Valley. There’s no inspection, emissions test, or repairs needed—as long as you have a properly signed Virginia title, we can usually schedule quickly. When the vehicle sells, you receive a tax receipt that can often support a $500+ federal deduction, subject to IRS rules. If you’re searching in November or December, the clock is already ticking—lock in your year‑end tax benefit and clear your space now.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesCall AutoHeritage Donate or complete the quick online form with your contact info, basic vehicle details, and Virginia location—whether you’re in Richmond’s West End, Chesapeake, Loudoun County, or Blacksburg. No need to know the exact value; we just need the basics to get your free tow moving.
Choose your December pickup date
5 minutesOur team checks local towers across Virginia and offers you the earliest available slot—often same-day or next-day on weekday calls before early afternoon in major metros. Call by December 27–28 to secure a December 31 pickup window and guarantee this year’s tax treatment.
Prepare your Virginia title and keys
10–15 minutesSign your Virginia title where we instruct (we’ll guide you on the phone), remove license plates if required, and gather keys and any lien release. Your vehicle can be non‑running, damaged, or without inspection—we still tow it free from your driveway, street, or apartment lot.
Free tow anywhere in Virginia
Varies by slotOn your scheduled day—Monday through Saturday, including Christmas week—a professional tow truck arrives at your Virginia address, completes simple paperwork, and hauls your vehicle at no cost. For IRS purposes, your donation date is the actual pickup date, not the date you called.
Receive your tax receipt and file
Within weeks of saleAfter your vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment and, when required, IRS Form 1098‑C. This shows the gross sale price, which usually sets your deductible amount. You keep this with your records and use it when you file Schedule A for itemized deductions.
Year-end tax deduction facts
December 31 is the IRS cutoff
For car donations, the IRS treats the donation date as the date the charity takes possession, not when you call. In Virginia, your vehicle must be physically picked up on or before December 31 to count as a deduction for that tax year.
Form 1098-C for larger deductions
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098‑C. This form lists your vehicle and the gross sale price and is used to substantiate your non‑cash charitable deduction on your federal return.
Deduction generally equals sale price
Under IRS rules, your deductible amount is usually the charity’s actual gross sale price for the vehicle, not a Blue Book estimate. There are limited exceptions when the charity uses or significantly improves the vehicle instead of selling it.
Itemize on Schedule A to benefit
To actually use your Virginia car donation as a federal tax deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Keep your receipt and Form 1098‑C with your records to document your claim.
30-day written acknowledgment
When required, Heritage for the Blind provides a written acknowledgment—often including Form 1098‑C—within 30 days of the vehicle’s sale or significant use. This written notice is what the IRS expects you to have for non‑cash donations like vehicles.