To claim a car donation tax deduction for this year, your vehicle must be picked up or handed over to Arkansas Auto Bridge by 11:59 p.m., December 31. When your donated vehicle later sells, your deduction is generally the actual sale price, not Kelley Blue Book. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, our charity partner Heritage for the Blind mails you IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days of the sale. For vehicles that sell for $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment you can use to deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is lower. To use any of these deductions, you must itemize on Schedule A.
Arkansas Auto Bridge makes this fast and local. We serve donors across Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Benton, Bryant, Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, Pine Bluff, Hot Springs, and the Delta and Ozarks. Dispatch runs Monday–Saturday, and non‑running vehicles are fine—no repairs or inspection needed. You get a pickup confirmation as proof of your donation date, then your tax paperwork after the sale. Your car helps fund Heritage for the Blind’s programs for people who are blind or visually impaired, while you secure a deduction before year‑end.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute donation form or call
2 minutesEnter your contact, basic vehicle details, and pickup location anywhere in Arkansas—from West Little Rock and Sherwood to Fayetteville or Jonesboro. It takes about two minutes, and we’ll immediately start scheduling your free tow for a date before or on December 31, if available.
Confirm your pickup time and location
5 minutesOur towing partner calls to lock in a pickup window that works for you, Monday–Saturday. We cover most of Arkansas, including rural areas. You don’t need a current inspection, and non‑running or damaged vehicles are fine. Just remove personal items and have the title ready if you can.
Hand over the vehicle and get pickup confirmation
15 minutesOn pickup day, you sign the title (when required) and hand over the keys. The driver gives you a pickup confirmation or tow receipt—keep this as proof that you donated by December 31 for your current‑year tax deduction. The tow is completely free to you.
We sell the car and Heritage for the Blind issues your tax receipt
Varies by sale dateArkansas Auto Bridge and Heritage for the Blind arrange the sale. When the vehicle sells, you receive either IRS Form 1098‑C (for sales over $500) or a written acknowledgment (for $500 or less) within 30 days of the sale. This document shows your deductible amount.
Claim your deduction on your tax return
During tax prepYou (or your tax professional) use your 1098‑C or acknowledgment, plus your pickup confirmation, to claim the deduction on Schedule A when you file. You must itemize deductions to benefit. Keep all documents with your tax records in case of IRS questions.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Your deduction usually equals the sale price
For most car donations, the IRS requires that your deduction be the charity’s actual gross sale price, not a price guide estimate. Once your vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind documents that sale price for you on IRS Form 1098‑C if it sells for more than $500.
Form 1098‑C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind will mail you IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days of the sale. This official form lists the sale price and is what you use to substantiate a deduction greater than $500 on your tax return.
Written acknowledgment for $500 or less
If the vehicle sells for $500 or less, you receive a written acknowledgment instead of Form 1098‑C. In that case, you may generally deduct up to $500 or the vehicle’s fair market value, whichever is lower, as long as you itemize on Schedule A.
You must itemize on Schedule A
Car donations are charitable contributions. To take a tax benefit, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal return instead of taking the standard deduction. If you don’t itemize, you won’t see a tax savings from the donation.
Donate by Dec 31 to deduct this tax year
The IRS goes by the date you transfer the vehicle, not when it sells. As long as Arkansas Auto Bridge picks up or receives your car by December 31, your donation counts for this tax year. Keep your pickup confirmation as proof of the donation date.