For your car donation to count on this year’s taxes, the IRS requires that your vehicle be donated by December 31—meaning pickup must be completed by midnight on December 31, not just scheduled. In the Sacramento Metro, SacraCar Share can usually get you a same-day or next-day pickup Monday through Saturday, even during Christmas week. To safely lock in a December 31 tow, call or submit our 2-minute form by December 27–28 so we can reserve your time slot. You’ll get free towing, regardless of condition, and a tax receipt from Heritage for the Blind, a registered 501(c)(3).
We’re local to the Sacramento area and regularly arrange end-of-year pickups from Midtown, East Sac, Land Park, Pocket/Greenhaven, Natomas, Arden-Arcade, Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Folsom, and Roseville. No smog check, repairs, or inspection are required—non-running vehicles are welcome. As long as you have a signed title and we complete the pickup by December 31, your donation is treated as this year’s gift for federal tax purposes. If you’re trying to beat the clock before New Year’s, SacraCar Share is set up to handle your donation quickly and cleanly so you can close out the year with one less car and one more good deed.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesCall SacraCar Share or fill out our quick online form with your basic vehicle details and Sacramento pickup address. It truly takes about two minutes. We’ll confirm that you have the title and answer any year-end tax timing questions on the spot so you know exactly where you stand.
Lock in your pickup day and time
5-10 minutesOur towing partners schedule Monday–Saturday throughout December, including Christmas week, in the Sacramento Metro. Same-day or next-day pickup is common for weekday calls before early afternoon. Call by December 27–28 to reliably secure a December 31 slot and ensure this year’s tax credit opportunity.
Prepare your signed title and keys
10-15 minutesBefore your tow truck arrives in areas like Midtown, Roseville, Elk Grove, or Folsom, sign your California title as the seller and have your keys ready. The vehicle can be running or not, registered or not, parked in a driveway, street spot, or apartment lot—no repairs or cleaning required for donation.
Free tow and same-day donation completion
30-60 minutesThe driver meets you, verifies the title, provides a pickup receipt, and loads your vehicle at no cost to you anywhere in the Sacramento region. Once the truck leaves with your car on or before December 31, your donation is considered made this tax year under IRS rules for vehicle contributions.
Receive your tax receipt from Heritage for the Blind
Within 30 days of saleHeritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3), processes your vehicle, arranges the sale, and mails you IRS-compliant paperwork, typically within 30 days of the sale. For qualifying donations, you’ll receive Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price for your records and for claiming a charitable deduction on Schedule A.
Year-end tax deduction facts
December 31 is the hard IRS cutoff
For this year’s tax return, your vehicle must be donated—meaning picked up or otherwise transferred—by December 31. Simply filling out a form isn’t enough; SacraCar Share must complete the handoff to Heritage for the Blind by year-end for it to count.
Your deduction is usually the sale price
For most vehicle donations, the IRS limits your charitable deduction to the gross sale price the charity receives. Heritage for the Blind will sell your donated vehicle and report that sale price on the tax acknowledgment they send you after the transaction is complete.
You’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C for larger gifts
For qualifying vehicle donations, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098-C. This form lists the vehicle details and sale price and serves as official proof of your donation when you file your taxes and claim a charitable contribution deduction.
Use Schedule A to claim your deduction
To deduct your Sacramento car donation, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal tax return. Attach or retain the Form 1098-C and acknowledgment from Heritage for the Blind with your records in case the IRS requests supporting documentation.
30-day window for your written acknowledgment
After your donated vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind typically sends your written acknowledgment—and when applicable, Form 1098-C—within 30 days of the sale. Keep this with your records to substantiate the amount claimed for your charitable vehicle donation.