In Texas, the IRS rule is clear: your vehicle has to be picked up no later than December 31 to qualify for a tax deduction this year. With Rev Up Giving, benefiting Heritage for the Blind, that means we must complete the tow on or before December 31—not just schedule it. We run pickups Monday through Saturday all year, including Christmas week, and in most Texas metro areas we can often do same‑day or next‑day if you contact us before early afternoon on a weekday. To be safe, call or submit our 2‑minute form by December 27 to lock in a December 31 slot. Your tow is always free, and your vehicle can be running or not.
We’re set up for fast, local service across Texas—from Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, and Arlington, to Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, and The Woodlands; from Austin, Round Rock, and Georgetown, to San Antonio, New Braunfels, and Boerne; plus El Paso, Lubbock, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, McAllen, and more. All you need is a signed title and a couple of minutes on the phone or online. You’ll help fund vital services for people who are blind or visually impaired through Heritage for the Blind, and you can earn a valuable tax deduction for this year—if your pickup is finished by December 31.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your 2‑minute Texas donation
2 minutesCall us or complete the quick online form in about two minutes. Have your Texas title handy and basic vehicle details: year, make, model, and location (home, work, or a shop). We’ll confirm that you’re aiming for a current‑year tax deduction and immediately note your target pickup date.
Lock in a pickup day before Dec 31
2 minutesOur scheduling team checks tow availability in your Texas area—Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, or anywhere statewide. In most metros, we can do same‑day or next‑day for weekday calls before early afternoon. Contact us by Dec 27–28 to guarantee a Dec 31 appointment window where slots are still open.
Prepare your title and keys for the driver
10–15 minutesBefore your tow truck arrives, sign your Texas title where we instruct and place it with the keys. No inspection, emissions, or repairs are required. The vehicle can be non‑running, damaged, or missing registration—we just need legal ownership so we can transfer and sell it properly for Heritage for the Blind.
Complete pickup by the IRS deadline
15–30 minutesThe tow operator meets you (or follows your permission instructions), verifies the title, and loads your vehicle. This completed pickup on or before December 31 is what locks in your eligibility for a deduction in the current tax year. Your tow is free anywhere in Texas, regardless of vehicle condition.
Get your tax receipt and keep it with your records
Within 30 days after saleHeritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) charity, mails you an initial donation acknowledgment, and then a written receipt, often using IRS Form 1098‑C, after the vehicle is sold. Keep this with your tax documents for Schedule A. For donations valued over IRS thresholds, this paperwork supports your deduction claim.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 controls which tax year you can claim
To claim your car donation on this year’s taxes, the vehicle must be picked up by December 31—even if it’s sold next year. A January 1 pickup in Texas will apply to the following tax year, no matter when you first contacted us or filled out the form.
Your deduction is generally based on sale price
For most car donations, the IRS says your deduction equals the gross sale price the charity receives, not a blue‑book estimate. Heritage for the Blind sells the vehicle and reports that amount to you, usually on Form 1098‑C, for your Schedule A itemized deduction.
IRS Form 1098‑C for higher‑value vehicles
When a donated vehicle sells for more than the IRS reporting threshold, Heritage for the Blind issues Form 1098‑C. This form shows key details like your name, vehicle, and sale amount, and you or your tax preparer use it to document the charitable deduction on your federal return.
30‑day written acknowledgment requirement
The charity must send you a written acknowledgment—often the 1098‑C—within 30 days of the vehicle’s sale or, in some cases, 30 days of the donation. Keep this letter with your Texas and federal records as proof that Heritage for the Blind received your vehicle as a charitable gift.
Schedule A needed to actually use the deduction
To benefit from your car donation on your federal return, you must itemize deductions using Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. If you’re unsure whether itemizing makes sense for you this year, ask a tax professional before you file your taxes.