The IRS bases your car-donation tax year on the day your vehicle is actually picked up. That means in Orlando your car must be physically towed away on or before December 31 to count for this year’s deduction. Scheduling alone is not enough. To be safe, Orlando Auto Ally recommends booking your free pickup at least 3–5 business days before December 31 so Heritage for the Blind can get a truck to you in time, even during the busy holiday season.
Orlando Auto Ally connects donors across the Orlando Metro with Heritage for the Blind, a trusted 501(c)(3) supporting people who are blind or visually impaired. Whether you’re in Winter Park, Lake Nona, MetroWest, Conway, Dr. Phillips, Oviedo, Altamonte Springs, or near UCF, Heritage for the Blind arranges fast, free pickup—running or not, no inspection or repairs needed. Dispatch operates Monday through Saturday throughout the holidays, so you can donate that unused car, truck, SUV, or van before the year ends and still enjoy potential tax savings. Start now, lock in your pickup date, and turn your Orlando vehicle into a same-year tax deduction and meaningful local impact.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute Orlando donation form or call
2 minutesShare basic info about your vehicle and where it’s located in Orlando Metro—Lake Nona, Winter Garden, Kissimmee, Sanford, or anywhere nearby. Have your title handy if possible, but don’t wait on paperwork to reach out. The key for this year’s deduction is contacting us early enough to schedule a pre–Dec 31 pickup.
Lock in a pickup date before December 31
5–10 minutesA donation specialist confirms your details and offers the earliest available pickup slot, Monday–Saturday. To safely meet the IRS cutoff, aim to choose a date at least a few days before December 31. Your deduction year is locked in by the actual pickup day, not the call or form date.
Prepare your car for fast, no-hassle towing
10–15 minutesRemove personal items and have keys and title ready if you have them. Non-running vehicles, flat tires, and older cars are fine—no repairs or inspection needed. Heritage for the Blind’s tow partner will handle everything on pickup day at your Orlando-area home, workplace, or storage lot.
Vehicle is picked up by Dec 31 and tax year is set
15–30 minutesWhen the tow truck arrives in Orlando Metro and your vehicle is picked up, the IRS considers your donation made on that date. As long as this happens on or before December 31, it applies to this tax year—even though your official written acknowledgment arrives later.
Receive your written acknowledgment and Form 1098-C
After saleHeritage for the Blind sells your vehicle and then mails your written acknowledgment. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C. This paperwork may arrive weeks later, but your deduction year remains the year the car was picked up in Orlando.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup sets your deduction year
For IRS purposes, the donation date is the day your car is actually picked up, not the day you schedule. If your Orlando vehicle is towed away on or before December 31, you may claim the deduction for that tax year.
Written acknowledgment usually within 30 days of sale
Heritage for the Blind will mail a written acknowledgment after your donated vehicle is sold. This often happens within about 30 days of the sale. You still claim the deduction for the year of pickup, even if the letter arrives the following year.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098-C. This form shows the gross sale price, which typically limits the amount you can deduct when you itemize your return.
Deduction usually equals the sale price
In most cases, your charitable deduction for a donated vehicle is the amount it sells for, not the Kelley Blue Book value. The sale amount will appear on your acknowledgment or Form 1098-C from Heritage for the Blind.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To claim a car-donation tax deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal return. If you take the standard deduction, you generally can’t also deduct your vehicle donation.