If your goal is a 2024 tax deduction, the key date is your pickup. With Coastal Wheels in Melbourne, the IRS counts the physical pickup date as your official donation date. That means if our licensed tow truck picks up your car on or before December 31, your donation can be claimed on this year’s return—even if the vehicle sells later and your tax receipt arrives afterward. Start now: complete our 2‑minute online form or call Coastal Wheels for Heritage for the Blind, and we’ll rush your free pickup before the year ends.
We know the Space Coast and Melbourne very well— from Eau Gallie, West Melbourne, and Palm Bay to Suntree, Viera, and beachside areas like Indialantic and Indian Harbour Beach. Our coordinators line up quick, convenient towing at your driveway, office, or storage lot, usually same‑day or next business day in most metro areas. Your car doesn’t need to run, pass inspection, or have current registration. You simply sign the title at pickup, and we handle the rest. Proceeds support Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) that funds services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Start your donation now before December slots fill up.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2‑minute donation form or call
2 minutesGo online now and complete Coastal Wheels’ quick form, or call to donate your car through Heritage for the Blind. Share your contact info, vehicle details, and your Melbourne-area pickup address. This locks you into our system and triggers an immediate scheduling call.
Get a callback to schedule your free pickup
Within 1–2 business hoursOn weekdays, a friendly coordinator calls you back within 1–2 hours to confirm your information and offer the earliest available pickup times. You can choose a same‑day or next‑business‑day window in most metro areas, subject to availability—crucial as December 31 approaches.
Licensed tow truck arrives for fast pickup
Same-day or next business day in most areasA fully licensed tow truck comes to your Melbourne or Space Coast address—home, work, or shop. The car does not need to run, pass inspection, or even have recent registration. As long as we physically pick up your vehicle by Dec 31, the IRS donation date is locked for this tax year.
Sign your title and complete the handoff
5–10 minutes at pickupAt the truck, you sign the title over and hand the driver any requested documents. We’ll guide you on Florida title signing so transfer is clean. Once the car is winched onto the truck, your donation is complete from the IRS perspective as of that pickup date.
Vehicle sale and official tax paperwork
Within 30 days of saleCoastal Wheels arranges transport and sale of your vehicle. Heritage for the Blind then mails your written acknowledgment or IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days of the sale. You’ll use this to document your deduction when you file and itemize on Schedule A.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup = this year’s IRS donation date
For vehicle donations, the IRS uses the date the charity (or its agent) takes possession as your donation date. If we pick up your car on or before December 31, you can generally claim the deduction on this year’s tax return.
Form 1098‑C documents your car donation
When your donated car is sold, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098‑C or a written acknowledgment. It lists the sale date and gross proceeds, which usually set the maximum amount you may deduct when you itemize.
Deduction usually equals the sale price
In most cases, the IRS limits your deduction to the charity’s gross sale price of the vehicle, not the Blue Book value. The amount on your 1098‑C is typically what you can claim on Schedule A, subject to your overall charitable limits.
30‑day deadline for your tax receipt
By law, the charity must send your 1098‑C or acknowledgment within 30 days of selling the vehicle. You don’t need the form before December 31—only the pickup completed— but you must keep it with your records when you file.
You must itemize on Schedule A to deduct
Car donations are charitable contributions. To claim them, you generally need to itemize deductions on IRS Schedule A. If you take the standard deduction, you usually can’t claim an additional write‑off for your vehicle donation.