To claim a car donation on this year’s taxes, the IRS goes by the date your vehicle is physically picked up—not the day you call or fill out the form. That means your car must be towed away on or before December 31 to count for this tax year. Coal Valley Charity Cars, benefiting Heritage for the Blind, schedules most Scranton–Wilkes-Barre pickups within 3–5 business days, Monday through Saturday, including during the holiday season. To be safe, schedule your pickup at least a few days before year-end so we can get you on the calendar in time.
Based here in the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre region, we make year-end donating fast and local. Whether you’re in downtown Wilkes-Barre, Parsons, Miners Mills, Heights, South Wilkes-Barre, or nearby communities like Kingston, Plains Township, Hanover Township, or Nanticoke, we come to you with free towing—running or not. You don’t need inspection, emissions, or repairs. Just a clear explanation of how your deduction works, a simple 2-minute form or quick call, and we’ll handle the rest. Your donated vehicle supports Heritage for the Blind’s programs for people who are blind or visually impaired, and you may qualify for a valuable tax deduction this year if we pick up by December 31.
Your year-end donation timeline
1. Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesComplete our quick online form or call Coal Valley Charity Cars. Have your title (if available), VIN, and address in the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre area ready. Tell us if the vehicle runs—non-running is fine. We’ll immediately begin checking pickup slots before December 31.
2. Lock in a pickup date before Dec 31
5 minutesOur team confirms your Wilkes-Barre–area details and offers the earliest available pickup window. For a this-year deduction, choose a date on or before December 31. We operate Monday–Saturday, even during the holiday rush, but slots fill fast near year-end.
3. Prepare your keys, title, and location
10–15 minutesBefore pickup day in Wilkes-Barre, Kingston, Plains, or nearby, place the keys and title somewhere accessible for the tow driver. The car can be in your driveway, street-legal curbside spot, or a lot—no need to clean or repair the vehicle first.
4. Vehicle is towed and your deduction year is set
Pickup dayWhen our driver arrives and tows the car away on or before December 31, that date becomes your official IRS donation date for tax purposes. You’ll receive an initial pickup receipt so you can document that the donation occurred this tax year.
5. Receive your written acknowledgment and tax form
Within weeks after saleAfter your vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment. For vehicles sold over $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C. Even though this arrives later, your deduction applies to the year in which we picked up the car.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup sets your deduction year
The IRS uses the date your car is actually picked up as your donation date. If Coal Valley Charity Cars tows your vehicle on or before December 31, you may claim the deduction for that tax year, even if the sale and paperwork finish later.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098-C. This form shows the gross proceeds from the sale, which typically limits the amount you may deduct. Keep it with your tax records and give it to your preparer.
Deduction usually equals the sale price
In most cases, your deduction is limited to the amount the charity receives when your car is sold at auction or through a buyer. There are some exceptions, but for many donors the allowable deduction equals that reported sale price on Form 1098-C.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To use a car donation as a federal income tax deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Ask your tax advisor whether itemizing makes sense for you based on your total deductible expenses.
30-day window for written acknowledgment
After the vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind sends a written acknowledgment—often including Form 1098-C—within IRS-required timeframes, typically within 30 days of the sale. This confirmation supports your claimed deduction if you’re ever asked to document it.