If you want your Tennessee car donation to count for this tax year, the IRS looks at the pickup date—the day you sign the title and hand over the keys—not the day you fill out the form. With Volunteer Wheels, you can start in about two minutes, schedule a free pickup before December 31, and lock in your deduction for this year. Our team and towing partners work Monday–Saturday, with same-day or next-business-day pickup available in most metro areas when year-end demand allows.
Volunteer Wheels partners with Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3), to turn your vehicle into support for people who are blind or visually impaired. We handle everything statewide—from Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, and Clarksville to Memphis, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, and across Knoxville, Chattanooga, Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, Jackson, and Cookeville. Your car doesn’t need to run, pass inspection, or have current registration. Just complete the quick online form or call, answer a few basics, and we’ll take it from there—title transfer, towing, sale, and mailing your IRS acknowledgment.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute form or call Volunteer Wheels
About 2 minutesEnter your contact info, Tennessee pickup address, and basic vehicle details, or call to give the same info by phone. This creates your donation record and flags your request as a year-end pickup so we can prioritize before December 31 where possible.
Get a coordinator call-back to lock in your pickup date
Within 1–2 business hours on weekdaysA Volunteer Wheels coordinator (on behalf of Heritage for the Blind) calls you back to confirm your details and schedule your free tow. In many Tennessee metro areas, we can offer same-day or next-business-day slots, especially earlier in December.
Free tow truck arrives at your Tennessee address
Same-day or next business day in most metro areasA licensed, insured tow truck comes to your home, work, or storage lot in areas like Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and surrounding suburbs. This pickup date is what the IRS treats as your donation date. Aim for on or before December 31 for this year.
Sign the title and complete the handoff
5–10 minutes at pickupYou sign your Tennessee title over to Heritage for the Blind (our 501(c)(3) partner). The driver will review where to sign and take the keys. Once the tow truck leaves with your vehicle on or before December 31, your deduction is locked in for this tax year.
We sell the vehicle and mail your tax receipt
Receipt mailed within 30 days of saleYour vehicle is transported, processed, and sold. Within 30 days after the sale, Heritage for the Blind mails you IRS Form 1098‑C or a written acknowledgment. You use this with your tax preparer when filing your return and itemizing deductions.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup = this year’s donation date
For car donations, the IRS looks at when you transfer the vehicle—when the tow truck picks it up and you sign the title. If pickup happens on or before December 31, it counts as a donation for this tax year.
Your written acknowledgment / Form 1098‑C
After your car is sold, Heritage for the Blind will mail you a written acknowledgment (or IRS Form 1098‑C for larger deductions) within 30 days of the sale. Keep this with your records to support your deduction.
Deduction is generally based on sale price
In most cases, the IRS says your deduction equals the gross sale price of the vehicle. Your acknowledgment or Form 1098‑C will show that amount so you and your tax preparer can report it accurately on your return.
Itemizing on Schedule A is required
To claim a charitable car donation, you must itemize deductions on your federal return using Schedule A. If you take the standard deduction, you generally can’t also claim a separate line-item vehicle donation.
Non-running, no inspection, no current registration
The IRS doesn’t require a running engine, current registration, or inspection to claim a deduction. As long as you legally own the vehicle and sign the title to the charity, a salvage or non-running car can still qualify.