For Alabama donors, the IRS rule is clear: to claim a car donation on this year’s taxes, your vehicle must be picked up no later than December 31. With Alabamotion, benefiting Heritage for the Blind, that deadline is realistic. We schedule pickups Monday–Saturday all year, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s. In most Alabama metro areas, if you contact us on a weekday before early afternoon, we can often arrange a same-day or next-day tow. To be safe, call or submit the 2-minute form by December 27–28 to lock in a December 31 pickup window.
We serve donors across Alabama—from Birmingham (Hoover, Trussville, Homewood) and Huntsville–Madison, to Montgomery, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Dothan, Auburn–Opelika, the Gulf Coast, and rural communities statewide. Your tow is 100% free, whether the vehicle runs or not. No inspection, emissions test, or repairs are required. You just need a signed Alabama title ready on pickup day. In return, you support services for people who are blind or visually impaired through Heritage for the Blind and receive a tax receipt for your deduction. If you’re looking at the calendar and wondering, “Can I still make the deadline?”—yes, if you act now.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your Alabama donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesCall us or complete the quick online form with your Alabama location, vehicle details, and best contact number. It takes about two minutes. Tell us you’re donating for this tax year so we prioritize a December pickup window for you.
Lock in a pickup date before Dec 31
5 minutesOur scheduling team reviews local tow availability around Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Mobile, Tuscaloosa and beyond. To guarantee a year-end slot, contact us by December 27–28. We’ll confirm a pickup day and rough time window before December 31.
Sign your Alabama title and get ready
10 minutesBefore the tow truck arrives, sign your Alabama vehicle title where indicated for transfer. Remove license plates and personal items. No need to clean or repair the vehicle—running or not, we’ll tow it at no cost anywhere in Alabama.
Free towing anywhere in Alabama
30-60 minutesOn your scheduled day—often same or next business day in metro areas—the driver meets you at home, work, or a shop. You hand over the signed title and keys, we load the vehicle, and your donation is locked in as of the pickup date.
Receive your tax receipt and file
Within 30 daysAfter your vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind mails your tax receipt, generally within 30 days of sale. For qualified donations over IRS thresholds, you’ll receive Form 1098-C. You then use this to claim your deduction when filing.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup = this year’s deduction
The IRS goes by the actual transfer date, not when you called. If your vehicle is picked up on or before December 31, it counts for this tax year. A January 1 pickup pushes your deduction to next year.
Form 1098-C for larger donations
When a donated vehicle is sold above IRS reporting thresholds, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098-C. This form shows the gross sale price and is required to substantiate larger vehicle deductions with your tax return.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, the IRS limits your vehicle deduction to the charity’s gross sale price, not Kelley Blue Book. The final sale amount shown on your receipt or Form 1098-C is what you use when you itemize your charitable deductions.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To benefit from a car donation tax deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal return. If you take the standard deduction, you generally cannot claim an additional write-off for your donated vehicle.
30-day written acknowledgment rule
Heritage for the Blind sends you a written acknowledgment—often your 1098-C—within IRS-required time frames, typically within 30 days of the vehicle’s sale. Keep this with your records in case the IRS ever questions your deduction.