In Nashville Metro, your car donation only counts for this tax year if the vehicle is physically picked up on or before December 31. With TuneIn Rides, Heritage for the Blind provides fast, free towing Monday–Saturday, but IRS rules are strict: the donation date is the pickup date, not the day you schedule. To be safe, schedule your Nashville pickup 3–5 business days before December 31 so we can get your vehicle hauled away in time for this year’s deduction.
Whether you’re in East Nashville, Green Hills, Bellevue, Hendersonville, Franklin, Antioch, or anywhere across Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Sumner, and Wilson counties, we make year-end car donation easy. Our simple 2‑minute form or quick phone call locks in your spot; we’ll tow your car, truck, SUV, or van at no cost, even if it doesn’t run. Proceeds support Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) helping people who are blind or visually impaired. Donate locally, avoid the last‑minute rush, and turn your unused vehicle into a same‑year tax deduction for a cause that matters in and around Nashville.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your 2-minute Nashville donation form or call
2 minutesSubmit our quick online form or call to donate from anywhere in Nashville Metro—Downtown, Donelson, Madison, Mt. Juliet, Franklin, and beyond. Have your title handy if possible, plus basic vehicle info. The sooner in December you contact us, the easier it is to get your pickup scheduled before the Dec 31 IRS cutoff.
Choose a pickup day before December 31
5 minutesTell us where the vehicle is and pick a convenient pickup window, Monday through Saturday. Because the IRS uses the actual pickup date as your donation date, we strongly recommend choosing a slot at least 3–5 business days before December 31 to avoid weather, traffic, or holiday delays around Nashville.
Meet (or release) the tow driver for free pickup
15–30 minutesOur towing partner comes to your home, workplace, or storage lot—whether you’re in Sylvan Park, Berry Hill, Hermitage, or Murfreesboro. Your car doesn’t need to run and no inspection or repairs are required. Once the tow truck loads your vehicle on or before December 31, your donation is locked in for this tax year under IRS rules.
Get your same-year donation acknowledgment
Within pickup dayAt pickup, you’ll receive an immediate written acknowledgment or towing receipt from Heritage for the Blind confirming the date we took possession. That pickup date is what determines which tax year you can claim the deduction—so a December 31 Nashville pickup means this year’s deduction, even though the vehicle will be sold later.
Receive IRS Form 1098-C after the vehicle sells
Within weeks after saleOnce your car sells, Heritage for the Blind will mail you the official IRS Form 1098‑C for vehicles valued over $500, showing the gross sale price. You’ll use this form with your tax return if you itemize deductions on Schedule A. Even though this arrives later, your deduction year is still based on the original pickup date.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date = donation date
For vehicle donations, the IRS treats the donation as made on the date the charity takes possession of your car. In Nashville, that means your vehicle must be physically picked up by December 31 to count for this year’s deduction—scheduling alone isn’t enough.
Dec 31 pickup counts for this tax year
If Heritage for the Blind’s tow truck picks up your vehicle on or before December 31 anywhere in Nashville Metro, you can claim the deduction for this tax year, even if the car is sold and Form 1098‑C arrives in the following calendar year.
Form 1098-C for $500+ vehicle donations
When your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind will mail you IRS Form 1098‑C. This form lists the gross sale price, which is generally the maximum amount you can claim as a deduction when you itemize on your federal return.
You must itemize on Schedule A
Car donations are charitable contributions. To benefit from a federal tax deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Check with a tax professional to see whether itemizing makes sense for your situation this year.
Written acknowledgment is required
The IRS requires a written acknowledgment from the charity for vehicle donations. You’ll receive an immediate receipt tied to your Nashville pickup date, and later, if applicable, Form 1098‑C. Keep these with your tax records to substantiate your deduction if requested.