In Arizona, the IRS looks at the actual pickup date—not when you call—to decide which tax year your car donation counts for. With Desert Wheels and Heritage for the Blind, your vehicle must be picked up on or before December 31 to qualify for this year’s deduction. We schedule Monday–Saturday, all through Christmas week, with same-day or next-day pickup in most metro areas when you contact us before early afternoon on weekdays. To safely lock in a December 31 pickup slot, call or submit our 2‑minute form by December 27. Your tow is always free, and your car doesn’t need to run.
We’re set up for fast, local service across Arizona—from Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert, to Tucson, Oro Valley, and Marana, plus the West Valley, East Valley, Prescott, Flagstaff, Yuma, and more. As long as you have a properly signed Arizona title, we can usually handle the rest, including towing from apartments, gated communities, and driveways. Your donation supports Heritage for the Blind’s services for people who are blind or visually impaired. If you’re searching from Tempe after work or checking deadlines from your place in Glendale or Goodyear, this is the bottom line: December 31 is the hard IRS cutoff—start now so your pickup is done in time.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your 2-minute donation in Arizona
2 minutesFill out our quick online form or call Desert Wheels. Share your Arizona location, basic vehicle details, and preferred pickup days. It really takes about two minutes, and this is all we need to start locking in your year-end tax deduction.
Choose your pickup window before Dec 31
5 minutesOur scheduling team sets a pickup day and time window that works for you—Monday through Saturday, including Christmas week. In Phoenix, Tucson, and most metro areas we can often do same-day or next-day if you contact us before early afternoon.
Sign your Arizona title and prep your keys
10 minutesBefore the tow truck arrives, make sure the Arizona title is correctly signed and any lien release you have is handy. Remove personal items from the car and place the keys and title where our driver can easily get them, even if you won’t be home.
Free tow completed by December 31
15–30 minutesOur professional driver arrives, verifies the signed title, and tows your vehicle at no cost—running or not. For IRS purposes, your donation date is the actual pickup date, so completing this step on or before December 31 is crucial.
Receive your tax receipt and 1098-C (if needed)
Within 30 days of saleHeritage for the Blind mails you a donation acknowledgment. After your vehicle is sold, you receive your final tax paperwork. If your deduction is over IRS thresholds, you’ll get Form 1098‑C to use with Schedule A when you file your return.
Year-end tax deduction facts
December 31 is the IRS cutoff
For this tax year, your car must be picked up by December 31, not just scheduled. If the tow in Arizona happens January 1 or later, the deduction applies to next year’s taxes, even if you called in December.
Your deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, you can deduct the gross sale price Heritage for the Blind receives for your vehicle. The charity sells the car, then sends you documentation showing that sale price to use in figuring your itemized deduction.
Form 1098-C for larger deductions
When the vehicle’s value meets IRS thresholds, Heritage for the Blind issues Form 1098‑C. You attach this to your federal return if you itemize, along with Schedule A, to support your charitable vehicle donation deduction.
30-day written acknowledgment
Within about 30 days after the vehicle is sold, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment from Heritage for the Blind. This document shows key details—like the sale date and amount—to support your deduction if the IRS ever asks.
Itemizing with Schedule A
To claim a federal tax deduction for your donated car, you must generally itemize deductions on Schedule A. Talk with a tax professional about whether itemizing and using your car donation makes sense for your specific situation.