If your vehicle is picked up on or before December 31 in Iowa, the IRS treats your car donation as a deduction for this tax year—no matter when it’s sold. With Heartland Wheels and Heritage for the Blind, it takes about two minutes to start. Fill out a quick form or call, we schedule your free tow, you sign the title at pickup, and your deduction is locked in as of the pickup date. No inspection, no repairs, and your car does not need to run or have current registration.
We know year‑end in Iowa is busy—snow, travel, and tax planning all at once. That’s why we operate fast, with free pickups in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Ames, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport, Bettendorf, Sioux City, Waterloo, Council Bluffs, and rural communities across the state. A local licensed tow truck comes to your driveway, farm, or workplace, usually the same day or next business day in metro areas. Your donated vehicle helps Heritage for the Blind provide services to people who are blind or visually impaired, while you clear space and secure a valuable tax deduction before December 31.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesComplete the short Heartland Wheels online form or call Heritage for the Blind with your Iowa vehicle and contact details. You don’t need the car to be running or recently registered—just basic info and where it’s parked so we can arrange your free pickup.
Get a quick call to schedule pickup
Within 1–2 business hoursOn weekdays, a donation coordinator calls you back within 1–2 hours to confirm your details and book your free tow. You choose a pickup window that works for you, with priority for late‑December and Dec 31 slots across Iowa where trucks are available.
Free tow truck arrives at your Iowa address
Same day or next business day in most metrosA licensed tow operator comes to your home, farm, or workplace—often same day or next business day in areas like Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Iowa City. This physical pickup date is what the IRS uses as your official donation date for tax purposes.
Sign the title and hand over keys
5–10 minutes at pickupAt the truck, you sign your Iowa vehicle title over to Heritage for the Blind. The driver guides you where to sign and provides a basic pickup receipt. Once the vehicle is loaded, your donation is complete and your Dec 31 (or earlier) pickup date locks in this year’s deduction.
Vehicle sold and tax paperwork mailed
Within 30 days of saleYour vehicle is transported, processed, and sold. Heritage for the Blind mails you IRS Form 1098‑C or a written acknowledgment within 30 days of the sale, showing the gross sale price or other required information for your federal tax return and Schedule A.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date sets this year’s deduction
For IRS purposes, your donation date is when the charity takes possession of the vehicle—your pickup date. If your car is picked up on or before December 31 in Iowa, it counts as a donation for that tax year.
Form 1098-C documents your vehicle gift
After your car is sold, Heritage for the Blind sends you IRS Form 1098‑C or a written acknowledgment. It lists key details like the vehicle, date of donation, and sale amount, which you’ll use to support your deduction.
Your deduction usually equals the sale price
In most cases, the IRS lets you deduct the gross sale price of the donated vehicle, not an estimate. That amount appears on Form 1098‑C and is the figure you use when you itemize your charitable deductions.
Itemizing on Schedule A is required
To claim a car donation, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal tax return instead of taking the standard deduction. Talk with a tax professional to confirm what’s best for your situation.
30‑day deadline for your receipt
Heritage for the Blind is required to send your Form 1098‑C or written acknowledgment within 30 days of selling the vehicle. Keep this with your records as proof of your Iowa car donation to support your tax filing.