If your vehicle is picked up on or before December 31 in Alabama, the IRS treats your donation as happening this tax year—even if the car sells later. With Alabamotion, the fastest path is simple: spend two minutes on our secure form or call us, we call you back within about an hour on weekdays to schedule, and a licensed tow truck comes to your driveway for free, often the same day in metro areas. You sign the title at pickup and your deduction is locked in based on that pickup date.
Through Alabamotion, your car, truck, SUV, or van helps fund Heritage for the Blind’s services for people who are blind or visually impaired (501(c)(3), EIN 58-2164446). We serve donors across Alabama—from Birmingham, Hoover, Homewood, Trussville, and Bessemer, to Huntsville, Madison, Decatur, Montgomery, Prattville, Mobile, Daphne, and Tuscaloosa. Your car doesn’t need to run, pass inspection, or have a current registration. If you’re ready to donate, don’t wait for the rush: December pickup slots in Alabama fill quickly. Start now, choose a pickup day that works for you, and secure your current-year tax deduction before the December 31 deadline.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute donation form or call
About 2 minutesProvide basic information about you and your vehicle through Alabamotion’s quick online form, or call us to donate through Heritage for the Blind. No smog check, inspection, or repairs are required, and non‑running vehicles are welcome anywhere in Alabama.
Get your scheduling call-back
Within 1–2 business hours (weekdays)A friendly donation coordinator calls you back, usually within 1–2 hours on weekdays, to confirm details and schedule your free pickup. This is where you choose a pickup date on or before December 31 to lock in this tax year’s deduction.
Free tow truck pickup at your Alabama address
Same day or next business day in most metro areasA licensed tow truck meets you at your home, office, or storage lot—whether you’re in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Mobile, or another Alabama community. You pay nothing. The physical pickup date is what the IRS uses as your donation date.
Sign the title and complete the donation
About 5–10 minutes at pickupAt pickup, you sign your Alabama title over to Heritage for the Blind with guidance from the driver or coordinator. Once the title is signed and the vehicle is on the truck on or before December 31, your current‑year donation is considered complete.
Vehicle sale and tax receipt by mail
Receipt typically within 30 days of saleYour vehicle is transported, processed, and sold. After the sale, Heritage for the Blind mails you IRS Form 1098‑C or a written acknowledgment, usually within 30 days of the sale, showing the sale price or qualifying fair market value for your tax records.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup locks in this year
For IRS purposes, the key date is when you transfer the vehicle—when it’s picked up and the title is signed over. If that happens on or before December 31, your car donation counts for that tax year.
Form 1098-C for larger deductions
If your donated vehicle sells for more than the IRS threshold, Heritage for the Blind issues Form 1098‑C. You use this form with your return to substantiate the amount you claim as a charitable deduction.
Sale price usually sets your deduction
In most cases, the amount you can deduct is the gross sale price of the vehicle, as shown on your receipt. Certain exceptions allow fair market value if the charity keeps or significantly improves the vehicle.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To claim a car donation, you generally need to itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal return instead of taking the standard deduction. A tax professional can help you see which option benefits you most.
30-day receipt window after sale
By law, Heritage for the Blind sends your Form 1098‑C or written acknowledgment within 30 days after the vehicle is sold or otherwise disposed of. Keep this with your records when you file your tax return.