If your vehicle is picked up on or before December 31 in the Columbus Metro, the IRS counts your donation for this tax year—even if the car sells later. With Steel Wheels, the fastest path is simple: spend two minutes on our online form or call us, take a quick scheduling call from Heritage for the Blind, and we’ll send a licensed tow truck to your driveway—often the same day or next business day. You sign the title at pickup; your donation date is locked in as the pickup date under IRS rules.
Steel Wheels serves drivers across Columbus—Grandview Heights, Bexley, Clintonville, Gahanna, Dublin, Westerville, Hilliard, Reynoldsburg, Grove City and more. Free pickup is available throughout Franklin County and the broader Columbus Metro. Your vehicle doesn’t need to run, pass inspection, or have a current registration. Proceeds from your donated car support Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) helping people who are blind or visually impaired. As year-end tow slots fill up fast in December, especially around Polaris, Easton, and OSU campus areas, the smartest move is to start your donation now and reserve your pickup before the December 31 deadline.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start with a 2-minute form or call
About 2 minutesEnter your contact, vehicle location, and basic car details in our secure online form or call Steel Wheels. You don’t need the car to be running or inspected. Once you submit, your spot is in the queue for a December pickup in the Columbus Metro.
Get a quick scheduling call
Within 1–2 business hoursA friendly donation coordinator from Heritage for the Blind calls you back (weekdays, often within 1–2 hours) to confirm your information and schedule your free tow. You choose the earliest convenient date—aim for before December 31 to lock in this year’s deduction.
Confirm your free Columbus Metro pickup
Same day or next business day in most areasIn most Columbus neighborhoods—like German Village, Short North, Worthington, and Pickerington—we can send a licensed tow truck the same day or next business day. Your pickup date is the IRS donation date, as long as the vehicle is transferred to the charity at tow time.
Sign the title and hand over the keys
5–10 minutes at pickupAt your driveway, apartment lot, or workplace, the driver walks you through signing your Ohio title to Heritage for the Blind. Once you sign and the tow truck takes possession on or before December 31, your donation is locked in for this tax year.
Vehicle is sold and tax receipt mailed
Receipt mailed within 30 days of saleYour donated vehicle is transported, processed, and sold. Heritage for the Blind mails you IRS-compliant written acknowledgment (Form 1098-C or similar) within 30 days of the sale, stating the gross sale price to support your itemized tax deduction.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date sets your tax year
For vehicle donations, the IRS treats the date the charity takes control of your car—your physical pickup date—as the donation date. A tow on or before December 31 counts toward this tax year, even if the sale happens later.
You receive IRS Form 1098-C
After your car is sold, Heritage for the Blind will send you IRS Form 1098-C or a written acknowledgment within 30 days of the sale. It shows key details, including the vehicle and sale price, for your tax records.
Deduction is usually the sale price
In most cases, your allowable charitable deduction equals the gross sale price of the vehicle reported on Form 1098-C. You generally attach the form and claim the amount on Schedule A when you itemize deductions.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To benefit from a car-donation tax deduction, you’ll typically need to itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. A tax professional can confirm what works best for your situation.
30-day acknowledgment requirement
Charities are required to provide written acknowledgment, such as Form 1098-C, within 30 days of the vehicle’s sale. Keep this with your tax records as proof of your gift and the amount you are claiming.