In Minneapolis and the surrounding Twin Cities, the IRS goes by the date your vehicle is actually picked up—not the day you call or fill out a form. To claim your deduction for this tax year, your car must be physically towed or driven away on or before December 31. Twin City Wheels, benefiting Heritage for the Blind (a 501(c)(3), EIN 58-2164446), offers fast, free pickup Monday–Saturday, including through the holiday season. To be safe, schedule your pickup at least 3–5 business days before December 31 so we can get you on the truck in time.
We make year-end donations easy for Minneapolis drivers from Uptown, Northeast, Powderhorn, North Loop, and Dinkytown to suburbs like St. Paul, Bloomington, Edina, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, and Eagan. There’s no inspection, no repairs, and non-running vehicles are welcome—we’ll tow it at no cost to you. After your vehicle sells, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment (and IRS Form 1098‑C for vehicles sold over $500). The deduction year is based on the pickup date, not when the paperwork arrives. If you want this year’s tax benefit, the time to schedule is right now.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2‑minute donation form or call
2 minutesShare your Minneapolis–St. Paul location, basic vehicle info, and your preferred pickup window. It truly takes about two minutes. Tell us you need the car gone before December 31 so we can prioritize a year‑end pickup slot.
Lock in a pickup day before December 31
5 minutesOur team confirms a pickup date and time that works for you, Monday–Saturday. To safely hit the IRS deadline, schedule 3–5 business days before Dec 31 so the tow truck can physically pick up your car in time.
Prepare your title and clear access
10–15 minutesSign your Minnesota title and clear the vehicle of personal items. Whether you’re in South Minneapolis, Roseville, or Richfield, you don’t need to wash, repair, or smog‑check the car. Non‑running vehicles are fine—we’ll tow them free.
Vehicle picked up – your deduction year is set
Day of pickupWhen our driver arrives and takes the car—on or before December 31—that date becomes your official IRS donation date. Even if your tax forms arrive later, your deduction will count for that tax year.
Receive your tax acknowledgment by mail
Within weeks after saleAfter your vehicle sells, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment by mail (including IRS Form 1098‑C for vehicles sold over $500). Keep this with your tax records to claim your charitable deduction when you file.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date sets your tax year
The IRS considers your donation made on the date the car is actually picked up, not when you schedule it. If the tow happens by December 31, your donation applies to that tax year’s return.
Written acknowledgment & Form 1098‑C
You’ll receive a written acknowledgment after your vehicle is sold. If it sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098‑C, which you’ll need to substantiate your deduction.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, your allowable deduction is the gross sale price of the vehicle, not a price guide estimate. That final amount will appear on your acknowledgment or Form 1098‑C.
Itemizing on Schedule A
To use your vehicle donation as a tax deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal return. If you take the standard deduction, you generally cannot also claim the car donation.
30‑day receipt timing
By IRS rules, you should receive a receipt within 30 days of the vehicle’s sale or significant use. Even if the paperwork arrives in the new year, the deduction year is based on your actual pickup date.