In Wilkes-Barre, the hard IRS deadline for a car donation tax deduction is simple: your vehicle must be picked up by 11:59 p.m. on December 31. Scheduling alone is not enough. With Coal Valley Charity Cars, working with Heritage for the Blind (a 501(c)(3)), we run pickups Monday–Saturday all through Christmas week, including December 31. In most Scranton–Wilkes-Barre neighborhoods, we can often arrange same-day or next-day towing when you contact us before early afternoon on weekdays. To be safe, call or submit our 2‑minute form by December 27 to guarantee a December 31 pickup slot.
We serve donors across the Wyoming Valley: downtown Wilkes-Barre, Parsons, Miners Mills, South Wilkes-Barre, East End, and nearby communities like Kingston, Edwardsville, Plymouth, Hanover Township, Mountain Top, and Pittston. Your car, truck, SUV, or van is towed free, in any condition—no inspection or repairs needed—as long as you have a signed Pennsylvania title. Proceeds fund vital services for people who are blind or visually impaired through Heritage for the Blind. If you’re looking at the calendar and wondering if you can still make the deadline, the answer is yes—as long as your pickup is completed by December 31, you can still qualify for a current-year deduction. Start now so your spot is locked in.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start with a 2-minute call or online form
2 minutesShare your Wilkes-Barre pickup address, vehicle details, and a good contact number. It takes about two minutes by phone or online. Tell us you need a current-year tax deduction so we prioritize a December pickup, especially if you’re calling near Christmas week.
Choose your pickup day before December 31
5 minutesOur towing partners run Monday–Saturday year‑round in the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre area, including Christmas week. We’ll offer the earliest open slots; if you contact us by Dec 27–28, we can reliably reserve a Dec 31 or earlier pickup window to meet IRS rules.
Prepare your signed Pennsylvania title
10 minutesBefore the truck arrives in Wilkes-Barre or nearby towns like Kingston or Pittston, sign your PA title exactly as it appears and remove your license plates. The driver will guide you through a quick handoff so your vehicle transfer is completed by December 31 for this year’s tax deduction.
Pickup completed – IRS deadline met
Day of towOnce your vehicle is physically picked up on or before December 31, you’ve met the IRS cutoff for claiming the deduction in this tax year. The tow is always free, whether the car runs or not, and there’s no emissions test or repairs required in the Wilkes-Barre area.
Receive your tax receipt from Heritage for the Blind
Within 30 days of saleAfter your donated vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment, typically within 30 days of sale. This receipt shows the gross sale price, which is generally the amount you can deduct when you itemize on Schedule A using IRS rules and Form 1098‑C when required.
Year-end tax deduction facts
December 31 controls which tax year you can claim
For car donations, the IRS looks at the date the charity takes possession, not when you call. If your vehicle is picked up on or before December 31, you can usually claim the deduction on that tax year’s return.
Your deduction is usually the vehicle’s sale price
In most cases, your allowable deduction is the gross sale price Heritage for the Blind receives when your vehicle is sold, not book value or trade‑in value. This amount is listed on the written acknowledgment and, when required, on IRS Form 1098‑C.
IRS Form 1098-C for larger deductions
If your vehicle sells for more than the IRS threshold, Heritage for the Blind issues Form 1098‑C (or an equivalent statement). You’ll use that form with your tax return to substantiate the donation when claiming a larger non‑cash charitable deduction.
You must itemize using Schedule A to deduct
Car donations are non‑cash charitable contributions. To benefit, you generally need to itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. A tax professional can help you decide which option saves you more on your federal return.
30-day written acknowledgment requirement
For vehicle donations over a modest value, the charity must provide a written acknowledgment within 30 days of the sale or use. Heritage for the Blind sends this documentation to the address you provide; keep it with your tax records in case of IRS questions.