Here’s the bottom line for Hartford donors: the IRS counts the pickup date as your car donation date. If our licensed tow truck completes pickup by December 31, you’re in for a 2024 tax deduction—even if the sale and paperwork happen later. With Drive Forward and Heritage for the Blind (a 501(c)(3), EIN 58-2164446), you can start in about two minutes, schedule a free tow on your timeline, and get the written acknowledgment you need for your taxes. Non-running cars are fine. No inspection, no recent registration, no repairs required.
We know Hartford Metro traffic, winters and year-end crunch. Whether you’re downtown near Bushnell Park, in West Hartford, East Hartford, Newington, Glastonbury, Manchester, or up toward Windsor and Bloomfield, we coordinate fast, local pickup—often same-day or next business day on weekdays. Your vehicle is towed at no cost to you, sold, and proceeds support services for people who are blind or visually impaired through Heritage for the Blind. If you’re ready to donate, don’t wait: December pickup windows around Hartford fill quickly. Start your donation now so we can get your car picked up by December 31.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation (2-minute form or call)
About 2 minutesBegin with Drive Forward’s quick online form or call to donate through Heritage for the Blind. Share basic details about your car and where it’s located in the Hartford Metro. No emissions, inspection, or recent registration is required, and your vehicle does not need to run.
Coordinator calls back to lock in pickup
Within 1–2 business hours on weekdaysA trained donation coordinator calls you back—typically within 1–2 hours on weekdays—to confirm your information and schedule your free pickup. Tell us you need pickup by December 31 for a 2024 tax deduction, and we’ll offer the earliest available slot in your part of Hartford.
Free tow truck arrives at your Hartford address
Same-day or next business day in most metro areasA licensed tow truck comes to your driveway, street, or parking lot in the Hartford area—often the same day or the next business day, Monday through Saturday. The car can be non-running, damaged, or parked outside. Pickup is always free to you anywhere in the Hartford Metro.
Sign the title at pickup to complete the donation
Just a few minutes at your doorAt pickup, you sign the vehicle title over according to Connecticut requirements. The driver provides simple instructions and a pickup receipt. The physical pickup date is what the IRS treats as your donation date—so a Dec 31 tow means a 2024 deduction.
Vehicle sold; tax paperwork mailed to you
Within 30 days of saleYour vehicle is transported, processed, and sold. Heritage for the Blind then mails you IRS Form 1098-C or a written acknowledgment, usually within 30 days of the sale. You use this documentation to claim your charitable deduction when you file your taxes.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup locks in this year’s deduction
For vehicle donations, the IRS uses the date your car is picked up as the donation date, not the date it’s sold. If we complete pickup by December 31, you can claim the deduction on this year’s tax return.
Form 1098-C documents your vehicle donation
After your car is sold, Heritage for the Blind sends you IRS Form 1098-C or a written acknowledgment. This shows key details like sale date and sale price, and it’s what you’ll keep with your tax records for substantiating the deduction.
Deduction usually equals the vehicle’s sale price
In many cases, the IRS limits your deduction to the gross proceeds from the sale of your donated vehicle. That amount will appear on Form 1098-C, and you’ll typically claim that figure as your charitable deduction, subject to IRS limits.
Claiming the deduction on Schedule A
To deduct your car donation, you generally itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal tax return. Your Form 1098-C or acknowledgment from Heritage for the Blind serves as proof of the contribution if the IRS ever asks for documentation.
30-day rule for your written acknowledgment
By IRS rules, Heritage for the Blind will send your 1098-C or written acknowledgment within 30 days of the vehicle’s sale. You don’t need it in hand by December 31—only the pickup done by then—to qualify for this year’s tax deduction.