If you’re in the Richmond Metro area and want your car donation to count for this tax year, here’s the key fact: the IRS uses your pickup date as your donation date. When you donate through RevUp Richmond benefiting Heritage for the Blind, a free licensed tow truck can usually be at your door the same day or next business day. If the vehicle is picked up on or before December 31, your tax deduction is locked in for this year—even if the car is sold later.
The process is built for speed. Spend about two minutes on our secure online form or call to start. A donation coordinator calls you back quickly to schedule pickup anywhere in the Richmond Metro—whether you’re in the Fan, Short Pump, Chesterfield, Mechanicsville, Midlothian, Henrico, or near the airport in Sandston. Your car doesn’t need to run, pass inspection, or have current registration. You simply hand over the signed title at pickup, and within about 30 days after the vehicle sells, you receive your IRS-compliant paperwork in the mail. If you’re ready to donate, the fastest way to lock in your year-end deduction is to start the form right now—December tow slots fill up fast in Richmond.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute form or call RevUp Richmond
About 2 minutesShare your contact info, vehicle details, and Richmond-area pickup address online or by phone. It truly takes about two minutes. This immediately enters your vehicle into our scheduling system so we can prioritize your year-end pickup before December 31.
Get a quick callback to schedule your free tow
Within 1–2 business hours on weekdaysA trained donation coordinator calls you back (often much faster) to confirm your information and book a convenient pickup window. Same-day or next-business-day pickup is available in most Richmond Metro locations, especially when you contact us early in the day.
Free licensed tow truck arrives at your address
Same day or next business day in most metro areasWe dispatch a professional, licensed tow truck to your home, workplace, or storage lot in the Richmond Metro. Non-running vehicles, flat tires, failed inspections, and missing registrations are usually fine—we’ll tow the car at no cost to you, Monday through Saturday in most areas.
Sign the title at pickup and lock in the tax year
5–10 minutes at pickupAt pickup, you sign your title over to Heritage for the Blind and hand over the keys (if available). Once the driver takes possession of the vehicle, your donation date is officially the pickup date. A December 31 or earlier pickup means the deduction applies to this tax year.
Vehicle is sold and IRS acknowledgment is mailed
Within about 30 days of saleAfter towing, your vehicle is sold to support services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Heritage for the Blind then mails you Form 1098-C or a written acknowledgment within roughly 30 days of the sale, documenting the sale price and your deduction amount.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date = IRS donation date
For vehicle donations, the IRS treats the date the charity takes possession as your donation date. That’s the tow/pickup date—not the date the car is sold. A pickup on or before December 31 counts for this calendar year.
Form 1098-C documents your deduction
Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098-C (or a similar written acknowledgment) for qualifying vehicle donations. This form shows key details, including the vehicle and sale information, so you can document your deduction on your federal tax return.
Deduction usually equals the sale price
In most cases where the charity sells your vehicle, the IRS limits your deduction to the gross proceeds from the sale. Once the car is sold, Heritage for the Blind reports that amount on your 1098-C so your deduction matches IRS rules.
Use Schedule A to claim your car donation
To deduct a vehicle donation, you generally need to itemize your deductions using Schedule A on your federal tax return. If you take the standard deduction, you typically can’t also claim the car donation as an additional charitable deduction.
30-day deadline for your written acknowledgment
After the vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind sends your 1098-C or written acknowledgment within about 30 days of the sale. Keep this with your tax records—it’s the proof the IRS expects if they ask about your Richmond car donation.