In Florida, the IRS counts your car donation on the day it is physically picked up – not the day you call or book online. To claim a deduction for this tax year, Palm Motor Legacy must arrange with Heritage for the Blind to tow your vehicle on or before December 31. Because pickups typically take 3–5 business days to schedule, we strongly recommend you lock in your slot as early as possible in December. Once it’s picked up, you’ve secured this tax year’s deduction.
Palm Motor Legacy helps Florida donors turn unwanted cars into support for people who are blind or visually impaired through Heritage for the Blind, a registered 501(c)(3). We offer free towing across Florida – from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach to Orlando, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Fort Myers, Sarasota, and the Panhandle. We accept most vehicles, running or not, with no inspection or repairs required. You’ll receive the written acknowledgment you need for your taxes after the vehicle sells, but the deduction year is locked in as of the pickup date. Take two minutes today to schedule, and finish the year knowing your car – and your tax deduction – are taken care of.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute donation form or call
2 minutesShare your basic vehicle details, Florida location, and contact info. It takes about two minutes. Be sure to tell us you want your donation to count for this tax year so we can prioritize a pickup by December 31.
Choose your best pickup window
5 minutesOur partners at Heritage for the Blind dispatch Monday–Saturday, even through the holiday season. Schedule your tow at least 3–5 business days before December 31 to securely lock in a year-end pickup in your Florida area.
Confirm the pickup date (this sets your tax year)
5 minutesOnce the tow company confirms your pickup date, that date becomes the key IRS deadline. As long as your vehicle is actually picked up on or before December 31 in Florida, your donation counts for this tax year’s deduction.
Prepare the title and keys for tow day
10 minutesBefore the driver arrives, remove personal items and have your signed Florida title and keys ready. No repairs or smog checks are needed. Non-running vehicles are fine – the tow is still completely free to you.
Receive your tax acknowledgment after the sale
No timeAfter Palm Motor Legacy’s partner Heritage for the Blind sells your vehicle, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment. For vehicles over $500, you’ll get IRS Form 1098-C to document your deduction for the year of pickup.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup sets your deduction year
For IRS purposes, your car donation date is when the vehicle is actually picked up, not when you call or submit a form. If the tow happens on or before December 31 in Florida, the deduction applies to that tax year.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind will issue IRS Form 1098-C. This form shows the gross sale price, which generally becomes the maximum amount you can deduct on your return.
Itemizing on Schedule A
To claim a car donation deduction, you’ll need to itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal tax return. If you use the standard deduction, the vehicle donation may not provide additional tax savings. Consult your tax advisor.
Written acknowledgment after the sale
Your official acknowledgment letter (and Form 1098-C when required) is mailed after the vehicle is sold. Even if that paperwork arrives the following year, your deduction year remains the year the vehicle was picked up.
30-day IRS rule for receipts
By IRS rules, when Form 1098-C is required, the charity must mail it within 30 days of the vehicle’s sale. Keep this with your tax records to substantiate your deduction for the year of pickup, typically by December 31.