Donating your car in Iowa for a 2024 tax deduction? The IRS deadline is simple and firm: your vehicle must be picked up by 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2024. With Heartland Wheels, working with Heritage for the Blind, we schedule free towing Monday through Saturday all year, including Christmas week. In most Iowa metro areas, if you contact us on a weekday before early afternoon, we can often arrange same-day or next‑day pickup. To confidently secure a December 31 pickup window, call or submit our 2‑minute form by December 27–28. Have a signed title ready, and you’re set.
We’re built for Iowa donors. Whether you’re in Des Moines (Beaverdale, Waveland Park, South Side), Cedar Rapids, Davenport and the Quad Cities, Waterloo–Cedar Falls, Ames, Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Iowa City, or in smaller communities from Mason City to Ottumwa, we’ll come to you. Your car doesn’t need to run, pass inspection, or be repaired—our tow is completely free, statewide. Proceeds support Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) serving people who are blind or visually impaired. If you want this year’s tax deduction, don’t wait for the holiday rush. Lock in your pickup now, before the December 31 cutoff closes the door on 2024.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesComplete our quick online form or call Heartland Wheels—either way takes about two minutes. We’ll ask for your contact info, Iowa pickup address, basic vehicle details, and confirm that you have the signed title ready so we can schedule immediately.
Choose your pickup day and time window
2–5 minutesWe’ll look at your area—Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, or anywhere in Iowa—and offer the earliest open slots. Call by December 27–28 to secure a December 31 pickup; in many metro areas we can do same or next business day.
Prepare the title and keys
5–10 minutesBefore the truck arrives, sign your Iowa vehicle title where indicated and place it with the keys. The driver cannot complete the pickup without a properly signed title. No emissions test, repairs, or cleaning are required—non‑running vehicles are welcome.
Free towing anywhere in Iowa
15–30 minutes at pickupOn your chosen day (Monday–Saturday, including Christmas week), our professional towing partner meets you at home, work, or a storage lot. They’ll handle all loading and paperwork. Your donation is considered complete on the actual pickup date—up to December 31 for this tax year.
Receive your IRS tax receipt
Within 30 days of saleHeritage for the Blind processes your vehicle, sells it, and mails you a written acknowledgment. If it sells for more than $500, you’ll receive the information needed for IRS Form 1098‑C so you can claim your deduction when you file and attach it to Schedule A.
Year-end tax deduction facts
December 31 defines your tax year
For car donations, the IRS looks at the date your vehicle is actually picked up or transferred, not when you call. If the tow happens on or before December 31, it counts for this tax year; on or after January 1, it counts for next year.
Form 1098‑C for larger deductions
If your donated vehicle is sold for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind will provide the details needed for IRS Form 1098‑C. You use this information to document the sale price and support your charitable deduction when you file your return.
Deduction is usually the sale price
In most cases, your tax deduction equals the gross sale price of the vehicle, not a price guide estimate. After your car is sold, Heritage for the Blind sends you a receipt with the sale amount so you know exactly what you may claim on your return.
Itemizing on Schedule A
To benefit from a vehicle donation, you generally need to itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal tax return. If you only take the standard deduction, talk with a tax professional about whether itemizing makes sense for your situation this year.
30‑day written acknowledgment
Heritage for the Blind issues a written acknowledgment of your donation, typically within 30 days of the vehicle’s sale. Keep this with your records; if the vehicle sells for more than $500, it will include the information required to document your deduction.