Donate your car in Ohio by December 31 and you may deduct the sale price on this year’s federal tax return. With Buckeye Auto Gifts, your vehicle is picked up free, sold for the benefit of Heritage for the Blind, and you receive the IRS paperwork you need. If your vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind mails you IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale; your deductible amount is the gross sale price, not Kelley Blue Book. If it sells for $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment and you may generally deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is lower, if you itemize.
We make year-end donations fast for Ohio drivers. Whether you’re in Columbus (Clintonville, Dublin, Grove City), Cleveland (Lakewood, Parma, Shaker Heights), Cincinnati (West Chester, Anderson, Hyde Park), Dayton, Toledo, Akron, or in smaller towns across the Mahoning Valley and Northwest Ohio, we can usually schedule pickup Monday through Saturday. Non-running cars are welcome; no inspection or repairs are required. Complete our secure online form in about two minutes or call to lock in your donation date before December 31, then talk with your tax professional about how your specific deduction works.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute Ohio donation form or call
2 minutesEnter your contact info, vehicle details, and location anywhere in Ohio—from Youngstown to Dayton. This locks in your intent to donate, and helps us schedule the earliest possible pickup so you’re on track for a December 31–eligible deduction.
Confirm your free pickup date and time
5 minutesA towing partner contacts you (usually within one business day) to confirm a convenient pickup window, Monday–Saturday. We serve metro areas like Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, and surrounding suburbs at no cost to you.
Prepare your title and remove personal items
10-15 minutesBefore pickup, clear out personal belongings and have your signed Ohio title ready. Our driver will guide you on where to sign. No emissions test, repair, or cleaning is required—we accept most vehicles as-is, even if they don’t run.
Get pickup confirmation as proof of donation date
5 minutesAt pickup, you’ll receive a confirmation (or tow slip). Keep this with your records—it documents the date you donated, which helps support claiming your deduction for the tax year that includes December 31 of this calendar year.
Receive your IRS tax paperwork after the sale
Within 30 days of saleAfter your vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind mails either IRS Form 1098-C (for vehicles over $500) or a written acknowledgment (for $500 or less). Use this documentation and Schedule A to claim your deduction when you file.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Deduction equals sale price over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, your allowable federal deduction is generally the actual gross sale price—not the Kelley Blue Book value. This amount is shown on IRS Form 1098-C sent by Heritage for the Blind.
Written acknowledgment for $500 or less
If your vehicle sells for $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment instead of Form 1098-C. You may generally deduct up to $500 or the vehicle’s fair market value, whichever is lower, if you itemize deductions.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To benefit from a car donation tax deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal return. If you claim the standard deduction, you typically cannot also claim a separate vehicle donation deduction.
Form 1098-C sent within 30 days of sale
After your vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind is required to send your IRS Form 1098-C (for sales over $500) or acknowledgment within 30 days of the sale date. Keep this with your records and attach copies as the IRS instructs.
Donate by December 31 for this year’s return
The key date is when you donate the vehicle, not when it sells. Completing your donation and pickup on or before December 31 generally means you can claim the deduction on this year’s tax return, subject to IRS rules.