To claim a car donation tax deduction for the 2024 tax year, the key is simple: donate in Virginia by December 31 and itemize on Schedule A. With AutoHeritage Donate, vehicles that sell for over $500 generate an IRS Form 1098‑C showing the actual gross sale price—that amount is generally the maximum you may deduct, not Kelley Blue Book. If your vehicle is valued at $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment, and you may usually deduct the lesser of $500 or the fair market value. We mail your official tax documents after the vehicle sells, and you keep your pickup confirmation as proof of your 2024 donation date.
We make it fast for donors across Virginia—from Northern Virginia (Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Reston) to Richmond, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, Roanoke, and Charlottesville. There’s no inspection, no repairs, and non‑running vehicles are welcome. You submit a quick 2‑minute form or call, we schedule free towing (often within a few days), and Heritage for the Blind—our 501(c)(3) partner—uses the proceeds to support services for people who are blind or visually impaired. If you’re ready to lock in your 2024 deduction before year‑end, start now and let us handle the paperwork and logistics.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your 2-minute online form or call
2 minutesEnter your Virginia vehicle and contact details or call to donate. No need to know the sale price now; just provide the VIN, mileage estimate, and condition. This locks in your intent to donate before December 31 if you schedule pickup in time.
Confirm free pickup anywhere in Virginia
5 minutesOur team confirms your location—whether you’re in Virginia Beach, Richmond, Norfolk, Roanoke, Tysons, or a rural county—and schedules free towing, usually Monday–Saturday. Non‑running, damaged, or older vehicles are fine; no inspection or repairs are required.
Sign title and hand over keys at pickup
10–15 minutesOn pickup day, the tow driver helps you complete the Virginia title transfer, then takes the car at no cost. You’ll receive a pickup confirmation—keep this as proof of your donation date for your 2024 return if the tow occurs by December 31.
AutoHeritage Donate sells your vehicle
VariesWe arrange sale of your donated vehicle to maximize proceeds for Heritage for the Blind. Once it sells, we determine the gross sale price. For vehicles over $500, this amount is typically the limit of your deductible contribution on your federal return.
Receive IRS tax paperwork by mail
Within 30 days of saleWithin 30 days after the vehicle sells, we mail you IRS Form 1098‑C (for sales over $500) or a written acknowledgment (for $500 or less). Use this with your pickup confirmation when you and your tax professional complete Schedule A.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Deduction equals sale price, not book value
For vehicles that sell for more than $500, IRS rules generally limit your deduction to the gross sale proceeds shown on Form 1098‑C—not Kelley Blue Book or a dealer quote. We send you this figure after the vehicle sells.
How $500-or-less donations work
If your donated vehicle is valued at $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment. In many cases you may deduct the lesser of $500 or the vehicle’s fair market value. Keep this letter with your tax records for your federal return.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
When your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, AutoHeritage Donate provides IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days of the sale. This form lists the gross proceeds, which you use to claim your charitable deduction on Schedule A.
You must itemize on Schedule A
Car donations are charitable contributions. To benefit from the deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal Form 1040. If you take the standard deduction, you generally cannot claim an additional vehicle donation deduction.
Donate by Dec 31 for this year’s taxes
Your deduction is based on the date you donate, not when the vehicle sells. As long as your vehicle is picked up and transferred by December 31, it counts for the 2024 tax year—even if you receive Form 1098‑C early in 2025.