To claim your car donation on this year’s taxes, the IRS goes by the date your vehicle is actually picked up—not the date you schedule. With Bluegrass Wheels in Lexington, your donation is locked into this tax year only when our partner nonprofit, Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446), tows your vehicle on or before December 31. That means you should schedule 3–5 business days before year-end to guarantee a pickup slot in time. Once your vehicle is sold, you’ll receive the written acknowledgment you need for your taxes, including IRS Form 1098-C for vehicles that qualify.
Bluegrass Wheels serves donors all across the Lexington Metro—whether you’re in Chevy Chase, Beaumont, Masterson Station, Hamburg, Andover, Nicholasville, Georgetown, Versailles, or Winchester. There’s no cost to you, and non-running cars are welcome. Heritage for the Blind operates Monday–Saturday, even during the holiday season, so you can fit a pickup around work, UK games, and family plans. If you’re aiming for a year-end deduction, now is the time to act—finish a simple 2-minute form or call to get on the schedule before the December 31 rush.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesFrom anywhere in the Lexington Metro, complete our quick online form or call. Have your title (if available) and basic vehicle details ready. This starts the process, but remember: your deduction year is based on the pickup date, not when you first contact us.
Choose a pickup time before Dec 31
5 minutesOur dispatch team, operating Monday–Saturday through the holiday season, will work with you to set a pickup on or before December 31. To be safe, contact us at least 3–5 business days before year-end to secure your preferred Lexington-area time slot.
Free towing anywhere in Lexington Metro
Day of pickupA professional tow partner comes to your home, workplace, or storage lot in Lexington, Nicholasville, Georgetown, Versailles, Winchester, and more. Non-running and damaged vehicles are fine. You pay nothing; towing is completely free for you as the donor.
Receive your initial donation receipt
At pickupOn pickup day, you’ll receive a preliminary receipt confirming the date of donation—this is the date that controls which tax year you can claim. Keep this with your records until your vehicle is sold and you receive your final tax documentation.
Get your IRS-compliant tax paperwork
Within weeks after saleAfter Heritage for the Blind sells your vehicle, they’ll mail your written acknowledgment, including IRS Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500 in value. This form shows the sale amount and is what you’ll use when you file and itemize your deduction on Schedule A.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup controls this year’s deduction
For the IRS, your car donation date is the day the vehicle is picked up, not when you schedule. To claim the deduction for this tax year, your vehicle must be towed away on or before December 31.
Written acknowledgment is required
You must have a written acknowledgment from Heritage for the Blind to claim a deduction. This is sent after your vehicle sells, but the deduction year is still based on the pickup date, not when the paperwork arrives.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle is sold for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind will issue IRS Form 1098-C. This shows the gross sale price, which generally limits the amount you can deduct unless certain exceptions apply.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, the amount you can deduct is the gross sale price of the vehicle, not the Blue Book value. That’s why your final tax receipt is sent after the vehicle sells, even though your donation date is earlier.
Itemizing on Schedule A
To use your car donation as a tax benefit, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal return. If you use the standard deduction instead, you generally can’t claim an additional write-off for the vehicle.