If your goal is a tax deduction for this year, the single date that matters is your pickup date. When your vehicle is physically picked up on or before December 31 in Florida, the IRS treats that as this year’s donation date—even though Palm Motor Legacy will sell it later. Your written acknowledgment (or Form 1098-C if required) will follow after the sale, but your deduction year is locked in by the actual tow date.
Palm Motor Legacy makes that deadline easy. In about two minutes you can submit our secure online form or call our Florida donation line for Heritage for the Blind, a registered 501(c)(3). A local coordinator calls back quickly to set up your free, licensed tow—often same-day or next business day in metro areas like Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, West Palm Beach, and beyond. Your car doesn’t need to run, pass inspection, or have current registration. You simply sign the title at pickup, keep your copy, and we handle everything else. To lock in this year’s tax deduction, start now—December pickup calendars across Florida fill up fast.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation (2-minute form or call)
About 2 minutesSubmit Palm Motor Legacy’s simple online form or call our Florida team for Heritage for the Blind. You’ll share basic info: your contact details, vehicle location, and car condition. No emissions, inspection, or registration checks required. Once you hit submit or finish the call, your spot enters our year‑end pickup queue right away.
Coordinator calls to schedule free pickup
Within 1–2 business hours (weekdays)A donation coordinator contacts you (usually within 1–2 hours on weekdays) to confirm your details and offer available tow windows. In most Florida metro areas, we can schedule same‑day or next‑business‑day pickup, including evenings or Saturdays, to help you hit the December 31 deadline.
Free licensed tow truck picks up your vehicle
Same-day or next business day in most metrosOur fully licensed towing partner comes to your home, workplace, or storage lot anywhere in Florida. You don’t pay a cent for towing. This pickup date is what the IRS treats as your donation date—so a December 31 pickup means the deduction applies to this tax year, even if the sale happens later.
Sign the title and hand over the keys
5–10 minutes at pickupAt the truck, you sign your Florida title over following our coordinator’s instructions. If you have questions on how to complete the title, the driver and our team can walk you through it. No need to be present for hours—the handoff typically takes just a few minutes and you’ll receive a towing receipt.
Vehicle is sold and your tax paperwork is mailed
Receipt mailed within 30 days of salePalm Motor Legacy arranges for your donated vehicle to be sold. Within 30 days of the sale, we mail you a written acknowledgment or IRS Form 1098-C, depending on the sale amount. You use this with your tax preparer to claim your deduction on Schedule A for the year of your pickup date.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date controls the tax year
For IRS purposes, the key date is when the vehicle is actually picked up and transferred, not when it’s sold. If your Florida pickup happens on or before December 31, you may claim the deduction for this tax year, assuming you itemize.
Form 1098-C and written acknowledgment
After your car is sold, Palm Motor Legacy sends you either a written acknowledgment or IRS Form 1098-C (for larger deductions). This document states the gross sale price and is required to substantiate higher‑value vehicle donations with the IRS.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, the amount you can deduct is the gross sale price of the vehicle as reported on your acknowledgment or 1098-C, not the Kelley Blue Book value. Keep this with your tax records and provide it to your preparer when filing Schedule A.
30-day IRS documentation rule
The charity must send your 1098-C or written acknowledgment within 30 days of selling your car. This timing doesn’t affect WHICH year you claim the deduction—it simply gives you the official paperwork needed to support your deduction if questioned.
Itemizing and Schedule A
Vehicle donations are charitable contributions. To benefit, you generally must itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. A qualified tax professional can confirm which option gives you the best result for this year.