In Iowa, the IRS does not go by the day you call or fill out a form. Your car donation only counts for this tax year on the date it is physically picked up. That means your vehicle must be towed away on or before December 31 to claim the deduction on this year’s return. To make that happen, Heartland Wheels—benefiting Heritage for the Blind—recommends you schedule your free pickup at least 3–5 business days before year-end. Our team operates Monday–Saturday through the holiday season to help Iowa donors beat the deadline.
Whether you’re in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, Waterloo, Ames, Council Bluffs, Iowa City or a smaller community in between, we’ll work to arrange fast, free towing. We accept vehicles in almost any condition, including non-running cars, with no inspection or repairs needed. After your vehicle sells, you’ll receive the written acknowledgment you need for your taxes (Form 1098‑C for vehicles over $500), but your deduction year is locked in on the pickup date. Donate your car now, help support services for people who are blind or visually impaired, and secure your tax deduction before the December 31 IRS cutoff.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute donation form or call
2 minutesShare your contact info, Iowa pickup address, and basic vehicle details. It truly takes about two minutes. Tell us you need pickup by Dec 31 so we know you’re donating for this tax year and can prioritize scheduling.
Choose a pickup day before Dec 31
5 minutesOur team schedules towing Monday–Saturday across Iowa, including metro Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Quad Cities, and more. To be safe, pick a date at least 3–5 business days before Dec 31 to secure a truck slot before year-end.
Prepare your title and vehicle for towing
10–15 minutesLocate your title and remove personal items from the car. No repairs, emissions checks, or cleaning are required. In many Iowa locations, you don’t need to be present if paperwork is completed in advance—ask when you schedule.
Vehicle is picked up — deduction is locked in
Pickup dayOn the day the tow truck actually removes your vehicle—on or before Dec 31—your donation becomes effective for IRS purposes. That pickup date is what determines the tax year of your deduction in Iowa.
Receive your tax receipt and Form 1098‑C (if applicable)
After saleAfter your vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment. For vehicles valued over $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098‑C. Keep this with your records when you itemize deductions on Schedule A.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup = this year’s deduction
The IRS uses the date your car is actually picked up, not when you call. If the tow truck removes your vehicle on or before December 31, it counts as a donation for this tax year in Iowa.
Form 1098‑C for vehicles over $500
When your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098‑C. This documents the gross proceeds and is required to claim a deduction above $500 on your federal return.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, your deductible amount is the price Heritage for the Blind receives when the vehicle is sold, not Kelley Blue Book. Your receipt or Form 1098‑C will show this amount for your records.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To benefit from a car donation tax break, you generally need to itemize deductions on IRS Schedule A. If you take the standard deduction, you typically cannot claim an additional deduction for your vehicle.
Receipt comes later, year is based on pickup
Your written acknowledgment can arrive weeks after the sale and still be used for the earlier year. The tax year is determined strictly by the donation (pickup) date, not when you receive the paperwork.