Donate your car in Memphis before 11:59 p.m. on December 31 and, if you itemize, you may claim a 2024 federal income tax deduction. Here’s how it really works: when Rides for Pride sells your vehicle, you’ll generally deduct the actual gross sale price, not the Kelley Blue Book value. For cars that sell for more than $500, our partner, Heritage for the Blind (a 501(c)(3), EIN 58-2164446), mails you IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. For vehicles that sell for $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment, and you may typically deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is lower. You must itemize using Schedule A to claim the deduction. Always consult your tax professional about your specific situation.
Rides for Pride makes donating your car from anywhere in the Memphis Metro fast and hassle-free. Whether you’re in Midtown, East Memphis, Cordova, Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Southaven, or West Memphis, we arrange free pickup—running or not, no inspection or repairs needed. You get a pickup confirmation as proof of your donation date, and we handle the title transfer and all IRS-required paperwork. Support services for people who are blind or visually impaired while clearing your driveway and potentially lowering your tax bill. Start your donation in under two minutes and lock in your year-end deduction.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute donation form or call
2 minutesFrom anywhere in the Memphis Metro, complete our quick online form or call our donation line. Tell us your vehicle location (Midtown, Cordova, Southaven, etc.), basic car details, and how to reach you. This secures your intent to donate for the current tax year if completed by December 31.
Choose your free pickup time in Memphis
5 minutesOur team contacts you (usually within one business day, Monday–Saturday) to schedule a free tow. We pick up from driveways, apartment lots, and workplaces across Memphis, Germantown, Bartlett, West Memphis, and nearby areas—running or not, no emissions or safety inspection required.
Sign title and get pickup confirmation
10 minutesWhen the tow truck arrives, you hand over the keys (if you have them) and sign the title. You’ll receive a pickup confirmation—keep this as proof of your donation date, especially for year-end gifts made on or before December 31. Towing is always free to you.
Vehicle sells and paperwork is processed
Varies by saleRides for Pride and Heritage for the Blind arrange the sale of your vehicle. After it sells, we document the gross sale price (before expenses). This sale amount usually determines your allowable deduction for vehicles over $500, subject to IRS rules.
Receive IRS tax documents by mail
Within IRS timeframesIf your vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind mails you IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. If it’s $500 or less, you receive a written acknowledgment. Keep these, plus your pickup confirmation, for your records and to support your deduction.
Claim your deduction on your tax return
At tax timeAt filing time, talk with your tax professional about claiming the deduction. To benefit, you must generally itemize on Schedule A. Use the 1098-C or acknowledgment to document the amount, and keep all paperwork with your tax records for the Memphis-area IRS office if ever requested.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Deduction usually equals vehicle sale price
For most vehicles that sell for more than $500, the IRS limits your deduction to the car’s actual gross sale price, not Kelley Blue Book or what you think it’s worth. We document that sale price and report it on your 1098-C.
How vehicles at $500 or less work
If your donated car sells for $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment instead of 1098-C. In many cases, you may deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is lower, if you itemize, subject to IRS rules and your tax advisor’s guidance.
IRS Form 1098-C for larger donations
When your vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days after the sale. This form shows the gross proceeds from the sale and how the vehicle was used, and you use it to substantiate your car donation deduction.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To claim a federal deduction for your Rides for Pride car donation, you generally must itemize deductions on IRS Schedule A. If you take the standard deduction, you usually cannot also claim a separate charitable deduction for your vehicle donation.
Donate by Dec 31 for this year’s taxes
The IRS looks at the date you donate, not when the car sells. As long as your car is donated (picked up or signed over) by December 31, your gift typically counts for that tax year. Keep your pickup confirmation as proof of your donation date.
30-day acknowledgment mailing rule
By law, our charity partner must send your IRS Form 1098-C (for sales over $500) or written acknowledgment (for $500 or less) within 30 days of the sale or significant use. Save these documents with your Memphis tax records for audit support.