If your car is picked up on or before December 31 in the Austin-Round Rock area, the IRS counts your donation for this tax year—even if the vehicle sells later. With Ride Forward, you can start in under two minutes: fill out a simple online form or call our Heritage for the Blind donation team, schedule a free tow, sign your title at pickup, and you’re done. We’ll mail your written acknowledgment or IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of sale so you can claim your deduction when you file.
Ride Forward serves donors across Austin-Round Rock—downtown, South Congress, East Austin, North Austin, Mueller, Zilker, Hyde Park, Pflugerville, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Buda, Kyle, and beyond. Your car does not need to run, pass inspection, or have current registration. Same-day or next-business-day pickups are available in most metro neighborhoods Monday–Saturday, so you can easily meet the December 31 deadline while supporting Heritage for the Blind’s work for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation (2-minute form or call)
About 2 minutesIn Austin-Round Rock, begin by completing Ride Forward’s quick online form or calling our Heritage for the Blind donation line. You’ll share basic info: contact details, vehicle location, and car condition. No smog, inspection, or repair details are needed—non-running and older vehicles are welcome.
Get a scheduling call within 1–2 business hours
1–2 hours on weekdaysOn weekdays, a donation coordinator calls you back within 1–2 business hours to confirm your information and set up a free tow in the Austin area. You pick a convenient date and time window, including urgent year-end pickups leading up to December 31, Monday through Saturday in most metro areas.
Free tow in Austin—often same-day or next day
Same-day or next business day in most metrosA licensed tow truck meets you at your Austin-area address—home, work, or even a repair shop. In many Austin neighborhoods, we can schedule same-day or next-business-day pickup. As long as your vehicle is physically picked up on or before December 31, the IRS counts it as a donation this year.
Sign the title and hand over the keys
5–10 minutes at pickupAt pickup, you’ll sign your vehicle title over to Heritage for the Blind and give the driver the keys (if available). The tow operator walks you through where to sign for Texas titles. You’ll receive a preliminary receipt at pickup to confirm the date and basic donation details for your records.
Vehicle sale and official tax acknowledgment
Within 30 days of saleYour car is transported, processed, and sold. Within 30 days of the sale, Heritage for the Blind mails your written acknowledgment or IRS Form 1098-C. This document shows the sale amount (or qualifying exception) so you can claim your charitable deduction when you file your federal return.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup = this year’s deduction
For IRS purposes, the donation date is when Heritage for the Blind takes possession of your car, not when it sells. If your vehicle is picked up on or before December 31, you can claim the deduction for that tax year.
Form 1098-C for larger deductions
If your vehicle is sold for more than the IRS threshold, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098-C. This form states the gross sale proceeds or an allowed exception amount. You’ll need it if you itemize a larger car-donation deduction.
Deduction generally equals sale price
In most cases, your charitable deduction is based on the gross sale price of the vehicle, not a price guide estimate. Once your car sells, the acknowledgment or Form 1098-C shows the amount you can typically claim if you itemize on Schedule A.
30-day acknowledgment deadline
By law, Heritage for the Blind must send your written acknowledgment or 1098-C within 30 days of the vehicle’s sale or certain qualifying uses. Keep this document with your tax records to support your deduction when you file your return.
Itemizing on Schedule A
To claim a car donation, you generally need to itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Talk with a tax professional to see whether itemizing your Austin car donation provides the best tax benefit for your situation.