For the IRS, the year of your vehicle donation is based on the date the car is physically picked up – not the date you call or fill out the form. That means your car must be towed away on or before December 31 to count for this tax year’s deduction. To be safe in the Little Rock Metro, schedule your free pickup with RideRescue and Heritage for the Blind at least 3–5 business days before December 31. Our team dispatches Monday through Saturday during the holiday season, and we accept most vehicles running or not, with no inspection or repairs required.
RideRescue makes it fast and local. Whether you’re in Hillcrest, Midtown, West Little Rock, Chenal, Downtown, North Little Rock, Sherwood, Bryant, Benton, Maumelle, or Jacksonville, we arrange a convenient pickup window that works for you. Your title is handled, your tow is free nationwide, and you’ll receive the written IRS acknowledgment after your vehicle sells. Proceeds support Heritage for the Blind, funding programs for people who are blind or visually impaired. If you want this year’s deduction, don’t wait until the last week of December—start your 2‑minute donation now and reserve your year‑end pickup slot in the Little Rock Metro.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute donation form or call RideRescue
2 minutesShare your contact info, vehicle details, and Little Rock pickup location—whether you’re in Hillcrest, West Little Rock, North Little Rock, or nearby suburbs. It takes about two minutes, and you’ll get an immediate confirmation that Heritage for the Blind can accept your donation for free pickup.
Choose a pickup window before December 31
5 minutesOur dispatch team (Monday–Saturday) contacts you to schedule a tow time that fits your calendar. To lock in this tax year, select a slot on or before December 31 and aim to schedule 3–5 business days ahead so we can guarantee a truck in the Little Rock Metro.
Prepare your title and remove personal items
10–15 minutesBefore your tow truck arrives, remove license plates where required, clear out personal belongings, and have your title ready. No inspections or repairs are needed, and we’ll guide you through signing the title correctly under Arkansas rules so the donation is completed on pickup day.
Vehicle is picked up – your deduction year is locked
15–30 minutesOn the scheduled day, the driver loads your car—running or not—from your driveway, apartment lot, or workplace around Little Rock, at no cost to you. The pickup date is what the IRS uses, so once it’s towed on or before December 31, your deduction counts for this tax year.
Receive your IRS acknowledgment and tax documents
Varies by sale dateAfter your vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind mails your written acknowledgment—and for vehicles over $500, IRS Form 1098‑C—to the address you provided. Even if the sale and letter arrive next year, your deduction belongs to the tax year in which the car was picked up.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date sets your deduction year
The IRS considers your donation complete on the date the vehicle is actually picked up, not the day you schedule it. If your car is towed away on or before December 31, it applies to that tax year’s return.
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 usually becomes the maximum deduction amount you can claim on your federal return.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To claim a car donation, you generally must itemize deductions on IRS Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Talk with your tax preparer to confirm whether itemizing makes sense for your situation this year.
Written acknowledgment is required
The IRS requires a written acknowledgment from the charity for vehicle donations. Heritage for the Blind mails this to you, typically within 30 days after the vehicle is sold, and you should keep it with your tax records.
Dec 31 pickup counts even if paperwork arrives later
If your car is picked up by December 31, the donation is for that tax year—even if the vehicle sells and your 1098‑C arrives in the following year. The key is the actual pickup date in the Little Rock Metro.