In Memphis, the IRS counts your vehicle donation on the day your car is actually picked up — not the day you schedule it. To claim a deduction on this year’s taxes, your car must be towed no later than December 31. Because pickups typically take 3–5 business days to arrange, Rides for Pride urges Memphis Metro donors to schedule as early as possible in December. Heritage for the Blind runs Monday–Saturday, even through the holiday season, and will pick up your vehicle at no cost, running or not.
When you donate through Rides for Pride, your car benefits Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) helping people who are blind or visually impaired. We serve donors across the Memphis Metro — from Midtown, Cooper-Young, Downtown and East Memphis to Cordova, Germantown, Bartlett, Collierville, Southaven and West Memphis. You don’t need inspections, repairs, or a clean title history; we accept most vehicles as-is, including non-runners. After your car sells, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment (and IRS Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500). Your deduction year is locked in by the pickup date, so if you want this year’s tax benefit, now is the time to schedule.
Your year-end donation timeline
Check your calendar and decide on your tax year
2 minutesDecide if you want your deduction for this tax year. If yes, your vehicle must be physically picked up by December 31 in the Memphis area. Look at the last week of December and plan to schedule your pickup at least 3–5 business days before New Year’s Eve.
Start the 2-minute form or call to schedule
2 minutesProvide basic info: your contact details, vehicle location (e.g., Midtown, Cordova, Southaven, Bartlett), and condition, even if it doesn’t run. Rides for Pride and Heritage for the Blind use this to confirm your eligibility and route a free tow truck to you quickly.
Pick your pickup window before December 31
5 minutesA scheduling coordinator will call to confirm a pickup day and time that works for you, Monday–Saturday. To lock in this year’s deduction, choose a date well before December 31 in case of weather, holiday traffic, or last-minute Memphis scheduling delays.
Prepare your keys and title for tow day
5–10 minutesOn pickup day, clear personal items from the car, locate the title if available, and have your keys ready. The tow driver will handle the paperwork on-site in most Memphis Metro locations and remove your vehicle at no cost, even if it won’t start.
Receive your written acknowledgment and tax paperwork
VariesYour official written acknowledgment, and IRS Form 1098-C for vehicles that sell for more than $500, will be mailed after Heritage for the Blind sells your car. The tax year of your deduction is based on the pickup date, not the mailing date of your receipt.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date controls your tax year
For IRS purposes, your donation is made on the date the vehicle is physically picked up, not when you submit the form or schedule. If your car is towed on or before December 31, it counts for 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 will send you IRS Form 1098-C. This form shows the gross sale price, which you generally use as the amount of your charitable deduction.
Itemizing with Schedule A
To claim your car donation, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal tax return. If you take the standard deduction, you won’t be able to claim an additional write-off for your vehicle donation.
Written acknowledgment requirement
The IRS requires a written acknowledgment from the charity for vehicle donations. Heritage for the Blind mails this after your car sells. Keep it with your tax records; your deduction year is still based on the pickup date.
30-day documentation timeline
Generally, charities issue Form 1098-C or written acknowledgments within about 30 days of the sale. You don’t need the form in hand by December 31 to claim the deduction; you just need the vehicle picked up before year-end.