To claim a car donation tax deduction for this year, the IRS only cares about one thing: the donation date. If Wheel Forward picks up your vehicle in the San Diego Metro by 11:59 p.m. on December 31, your donation counts for this tax year. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, your deduction is the actual gross sale price, not Kelley Blue Book. After your car sells, Heritage for the Blind mails you IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale so you can claim the deduction when you itemize on Schedule A. For vehicles that sell at $500 or less, you’ll get a written acknowledgment and may deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is lower.
Wheel Forward makes it easy for San Diego donors—from Chula Vista, National City, and Imperial Beach, to La Jolla, Clairemont, North Park, Mission Valley, and Escondido. There’s no smog check, no repairs, and non-running cars are welcome. Our 2-minute online form or quick phone call locks in your donation date, and your pickup confirmation serves as proof for the IRS. We coordinate free pickup across the San Diego Metro, Monday–Saturday, usually within a few days. You support Heritage for the Blind’s work for people who are blind or visually impaired, and we handle the paperwork so your year-end tax deduction is as simple as possible. Always consult a tax professional about your specific return.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesComplete Wheel Forward’s fast online form or call our San Diego team with your car’s basic info. No VIN lookup or paperwork is needed to start. This locks in your contact and vehicle details so we can schedule your pickup before the December 31 IRS cutoff.
Schedule a San Diego Metro pickup time
5 minutesWe call or email to confirm a free tow time that works for you anywhere in the San Diego Metro—Downtown, Hillcrest, El Cajon, Oceanside, and more. Monday–Saturday dispatch, running or not, no inspection or repairs required. The key is booking before year-end so your pickup date counts.
Sign over the title at pickup
5–10 minutesWhen the tow truck arrives, you hand over the keys and sign the title. Our driver will help you complete the title transfer correctly for California. You receive a pickup confirmation—the document you’ll keep as proof of your donation date for IRS purposes.
We sell the vehicle and send your tax receipt
After saleWheel Forward sells your donated vehicle. If it sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind mails you IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. If it’s $500 or less, you receive a written acknowledgment to support your deduction claim.
Claim your deduction when you file
At tax timeYou or your tax professional use Form 1098-C or your acknowledgment and your pickup confirmation to claim a car donation on Schedule A. Remember, you must itemize to benefit. Your deduction equals the gross sale price (or up to $500/FMV for lower-value cars).
Year-end tax deduction facts
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If your donated car sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind will mail you IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. This shows the gross sale price and is the key document you’ll use to support your deduction when you itemize.
Deduction equals the actual sale price
For vehicles over $500, the IRS generally limits your deduction to the car’s gross sale price, not Kelley Blue Book or your estimate. Wheel Forward sells the car, and the final sale amount listed on Form 1098-C is what you may deduct, subject to IRS rules.
Cars $500 or less use acknowledgment
If your vehicle sells for $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment instead of Form 1098-C. You may usually deduct up to $500 or the vehicle’s fair market value, whichever is lower, as long as you itemize on Schedule A and keep the acknowledgment with your records.
You must itemize on Schedule A
A car donation helps only if you itemize deductions. To claim it, you add your charitable contribution to Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. A tax professional can help you decide whether itemizing makes sense with your San Diego income and other deductions.
December 31 controls which tax year counts
Your deduction applies to the year in which you donate the car—based on the donation date, not when you file. If Wheel Forward picks up your vehicle by December 31 in the San Diego Metro, it generally counts for this tax year’s return, even if the car sells later.