In the Hartford Metro area, the IRS counts the date your vehicle is picked up—not the day you call—as your official donation date. To claim your deduction for this tax year, your car must be physically towed or driven away on or before December 31. That’s why we recommend scheduling your pickup at least 3–5 business days before December 31 so we can lock in a pickup slot in time. Drive Forward, benefiting Heritage for the Blind, offers free, fast pickup Monday–Saturday throughout the holiday season.
We make Hartford car donation simple, whether you’re in West End, South End, North End, Downtown, Blue Hills, Parkville, Frog Hollow, Asylum Hill, Barry Square, or nearby towns like West Hartford, East Hartford, Newington, Wethersfield, Bloomfield, Windsor, Manchester, Glastonbury, Rocky Hill and across the Hartford Metro. Complete our secure 2-minute online form or call, and we’ll handle everything—title guidance, towing, and your written tax acknowledgment (IRS Form 1098-C for vehicles valued over $500). We accept most vehicles, including non-running cars, at no cost to you. Donate before year-end, support people who are blind or visually impaired, and secure your deduction for this tax year.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesUse our quick online form or call now from anywhere in Hartford, West Hartford, East Hartford, or surrounding towns. Share basic vehicle and contact info—no inspection photos or repairs required. Our team confirms eligibility and explains what to expect for your year-end tax deduction.
Choose a pickup day before Dec 31
5 minutesTell us when and where to pick up your car. To be safe, schedule 3–5 business days before December 31. We dispatch Monday–Saturday through the holiday season across Hartford Metro to help ensure your vehicle is picked up in time.
Free tow from your Hartford-area location
30–60 minutes (pickup window)Our local towing partner comes to your home, workplace, or storage lot in the Hartford area. Running or not, we pick up your vehicle at no cost. The day the tow truck takes possession is the IRS-recognized donation date for your tax deduction year.
Receive your preliminary donation receipt
Day of pickupAt pickup, you receive a basic receipt confirming that Heritage for the Blind received your vehicle on that specific date. That pickup date is what determines whether your deduction counts for this tax year, as long as it’s on or before December 31.
Get your IRS-ready acknowledgment by mail
Within weeks after saleAfter your vehicle is sold, we mail your final written acknowledgment. For vehicles valued over $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price. You then claim the deduction for the year your car was picked up, using Schedule A if you itemize.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup sets your tax year
The IRS counts the date your vehicle is picked up as the donation date—not when you call or fill out the form. If your car is towed away by December 31, you generally claim the deduction for that same tax year.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind provides IRS Form 1098-C. It lists the vehicle and the gross sale price, which usually sets the maximum amount you can deduct when you itemize on Schedule A.
Itemizing with Schedule A
To use your car donation as a federal tax deduction, you typically must itemize deductions on IRS Schedule A. Your written acknowledgment and, when applicable, Form 1098-C support the donation amount you claim with your tax return.
Written acknowledgment timing
Your final acknowledgment is mailed after the vehicle sells, which may be weeks after pickup. The tax year of your deduction is still based on the pickup date, even if you receive the paperwork in the following calendar year.
Non-running vehicles still qualify
In most cases, your car does not need to run or pass inspection to qualify as a charitable vehicle donation. If we can tow it from your Hartford-area location, we can usually accept it and provide the proper IRS-compliant documentation.