For the IRS, the donation date is the day your vehicle is actually picked up, not the day you call or fill out the form. To claim your car donation on this year’s taxes, CarLift Utah must have your vehicle physically picked up by December 31. Because trucks book up fast in the last weeks of the year, we strongly recommend you schedule your pickup 3–5 business days before December 31 so we can guarantee a slot. Heritage for the Blind, the 501(c)(3) we partner with (EIN 58-2164446), runs Monday–Saturday through the holiday season to help you meet the deadline.
CarLift Utah is local to the Salt Lake Metro and understands year-end crunch in and around Salt Lake City. Whether your car is in Sugar House, Rose Park, The Avenues, Glendale, Millcreek, West Valley City, Murray, Sandy, Draper, or Bountiful, we work to get your vehicle towed before the New Year’s Eve cutoff. The online form takes about two minutes, there’s never any pickup charge, and non-running vehicles are welcome. After the vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind mails your written acknowledgment (and IRS Form 1098-C when required), but your deduction year is locked in based on the pickup date. Donate now and turn your extra car into a same-year tax deduction while helping people who are blind or visually impaired.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute donation form or call CarLift Utah
2 minutesShare your contact info, vehicle location, and basic details (make, model, mileage, running or not). Tell us you need pickup before December 31 for this year’s taxes. It’s fast, secure, and tailored to Salt Lake Metro donors.
Choose your preferred pickup window
5 minutesOur dispatch partner for Heritage for the Blind schedules free towing Monday–Saturday, including during the holiday season. To lock in this year’s deduction, select a date at least 3–5 business days before December 31 anywhere in Salt Lake City or nearby suburbs.
Confirm your appointment and prepare the title
10 minutesYou’ll receive a confirmation with your pickup day and time window. Sign your Utah title and have your keys ready. No emissions test, safety inspection, or repairs are required, even if your car won’t start or is parked in a driveway or lot.
Vehicle picked up by Dec 31 = this year’s deduction
Pickup dayThe tow truck arrives at your Salt Lake Metro address, completes quick paperwork, and hauls your vehicle at no cost. For IRS purposes, the donation date is this pickup date—if it’s on or before December 31, it counts for this tax year.
Receive your tax acknowledgment and 1098-C (if needed)
After vehicle saleHeritage for the Blind sells your vehicle to support services for people who are blind or visually impaired. After the sale, they mail your written acknowledgment—and IRS Form 1098-C for qualifying vehicles—so you can document your deduction at tax time.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup controls your deduction year
The IRS uses the date your vehicle is picked up as the donation date—not when you schedule it. If your car is towed on or before December 31, you may claim the deduction on that tax year’s return.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
When Heritage for the Blind sells a donated vehicle that produces a deduction of more than $500, they issue IRS Form 1098-C. This form shows the gross sale price and must be included with your tax return.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, your allowable deduction is the amount the charity receives when your vehicle is sold, not a price guide value. The final sale price is what appears on your acknowledgment and, when required, on Form 1098-C.
Itemizing on Schedule A is required
To use a car donation as a federal tax deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. A tax professional can help you decide which option is better for you.
Acknowledgment typically mailed within 30 days of sale
After your car is sold, Heritage for the Blind sends a written acknowledgment—usually within about 30 days of the sale date. The tax year you claim is based on the pickup date, even though the letter arrives later.