To claim your car donation on this year’s taxes in Melbourne, the IRS cares about one thing: the pickup date. Your donation date is the day Coastal Wheels, benefiting Heritage for the Blind, physically picks up your vehicle. If your car is not picked up by December 31, it counts toward next year’s taxes — even if you called earlier. That’s why we urge Space Coast donors to schedule at least 3–5 business days before December 31 so we can lock in your preferred pickup time.
Coastal Wheels arranges free vehicle pickup Monday through Saturday across Melbourne and the Space Coast — from Viera, Suntree, West Melbourne, and Palm Bay to Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, and Cocoa Beach. We accept running and non-running vehicles with no repairs or inspections required. After your car sells, Heritage for the Blind mails your written acknowledgment (including IRS Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500), but your deduction year is based on the actual pickup date. If you’re in Melbourne and want your donation to count for this tax year, the fastest path is to start the 2-minute online form or call now and reserve your year-end pickup slot.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute Melbourne donation form or call
2 minutesEnter your basic vehicle and contact info online or call our local-friendly team. Tell us you’re in Melbourne or the Space Coast and that you need pickup completed by December 31 for this year’s tax deduction.
Choose a pickup window before December 31
5 minutesOur dispatch operates Monday–Saturday, including the holiday season. We’ll offer available dates and times in Melbourne. To be safe, schedule your pickup at least 3–5 business days before December 31 so we can guarantee a slot.
Confirm address and vehicle condition (running or not)
5 minutesProvide the exact pickup location in or around Melbourne—home, work, or a shop in areas like Palm Bay, Viera, or West Melbourne—and let us know if the car is non-running. We still tow it free with no inspection or repairs needed.
Meet the tow driver on pickup day
15–20 minutesOn your scheduled day, our towing partner arrives, completes simple paperwork, and takes your keys and title if available. The moment your vehicle is loaded and taken away is the IRS-recognized donation date for your tax year.
Receive your tax acknowledgment by mail
After saleAfter your vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind mails your written acknowledgment. For vehicles over $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C. Keep this with your records to claim your deduction for the year the car was picked up.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date = donation year
For IRS purposes, your donation is effective on the day your vehicle is actually picked up, not the day you call or submit the form. Pickup on or before December 31 is required to claim this tax year’s deduction.
Written acknowledgment is required
You must have a written acknowledgment from Heritage for the Blind to claim a vehicle donation. It’s mailed after your car sells, but the deduction year is still based on the pickup date, not the mailing date.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C from Heritage for the Blind. This form shows the gross sale price, which generally sets the maximum deduction you can claim for your donation.
Itemizing on Schedule A
To benefit from a car donation tax deduction, you must itemize deductions on your federal tax return using Schedule A. If you take the standard deduction, you typically cannot claim an additional deduction for your vehicle.
30-day receipt timeline
By IRS rules, the charity generally provides your acknowledgment (and 1098-C if applicable) within 30 days of the vehicle’s sale. Keep it with your records for the tax year that matches your vehicle’s actual pickup date.