Here’s how your year-end tax deduction really works in Fort Worth: donate your vehicle to Drive Change any day up to December 31, and the IRS lets you claim the deduction for this tax year. Once your car sells, if it brings in more than $500, Heritage for the Blind (the 501(c)(3) we partner with) mails you IRS Form 1098-C. Your allowable deduction equals the actual gross sale price shown on that form — not Kelley Blue Book or your estimate. For vehicles that sell for $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment and may deduct either $500 or the vehicle’s fair market value, whichever is lower. To benefit, you must itemize on Schedule A. Keep your pickup confirmation as proof of your donation date, and always consult a tax professional about your specific situation.
Drive Change makes it easy for Fort Worth donors from TCU/West Cliff and Fairmount to Benbrook, Keller, and Arlington. We arrange free towing across the DFW Metroplex — from Downtown Fort Worth and the Stockyards to Alliance, Hulen, Stop Six, and beyond. No inspection, no repairs, and non-running vehicles are welcome. You donate now, we schedule fast pickup, Heritage for the Blind sends the correct IRS paperwork after sale, and you support services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Start today and be sure your donation counts for this year’s return.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2‑minute Fort Worth donation form
2 minutesEnter your contact details, basic vehicle info, and where the car is located in the Fort Worth area (home, office, or shop in places like Arlington Heights, Benbrook, or Keller). Submit online or call to start your donation before December 31.
Lock in your donation date and free pickup
5 minutesOur team calls to confirm your Fort Worth pickup address and schedule a free tow, usually Monday–Saturday. The confirmation you receive is your proof of the donation date for the IRS, even though the vehicle may sell later.
Prepare keys, title, and remove personal items
10–15 minutesBefore the tow truck arrives, clear out personal belongings and have the title ready if available. No emissions, inspection, or repairs needed. Non-running vehicles from places like Southside, Ridglea, or Alliance are fine.
Tow driver picks up your vehicle in DFW
15–30 minutesThe driver completes a quick handoff, gives you a pickup confirmation, and transports the vehicle at no cost to you. Keep that pickup confirmation with your records as proof of the date you made your charitable donation.
Receive IRS paperwork after the vehicle sells
Within 30 days of saleAfter your car is sold, Heritage for the Blind mails IRS Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500 or a written acknowledgment for $500 or less, within 30 days of the sale. Use this with Schedule A when you file your return.
Claim your deduction on Schedule A
When you fileWhen you prepare your tax return, itemize deductions on Schedule A. Use the sale price from Form 1098-C (or the allowed amount on your acknowledgment) and keep all documents, including the Fort Worth pickup confirmation. Consult a tax pro if you have questions.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Deduction equals actual sale price
For vehicles that sell for more than $500, the IRS generally limits your deduction to the gross sale proceeds, not Kelley Blue Book. Form 1098-C from Heritage for the Blind tells you exactly what number to use.
Form 1098-C for donations over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind mails IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. This official form documents the sale price and is what you use to support your deduction.
Written acknowledgment for $500 or less
If your vehicle sells for $500 or less, you receive a written acknowledgment instead of 1098-C. In most cases, you may deduct the lesser of $500 or the car’s fair market value, as allowed by IRS rules. Save this letter for your records.
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 generally can’t also claim a separate deduction for the vehicle.
Dec 31 sets which tax year it counts for
The IRS uses the date you donate, not the later sale date, to decide which year the deduction applies to. Complete your Fort Worth donation and tow pickup confirmation on or before December 31 to count it for this tax year.