You can still lock in a 2024 tax deduction in Delaware if your vehicle is picked up on or before December 31. With First State Autos, the IRS considers your donation date to be the physical pickup date shown on your written acknowledgment. Start now: complete our secure 2‑minute online form or call First State Autos (benefiting Heritage for the Blind). A coordinator calls you back within 1–2 business hours on weekdays to schedule your free, licensed tow on your timeline—often same‑day or next business day in most metro areas.
We handle donations across Delaware—from Wilmington, Newark, and Middletown, to Dover, Milford, Lewes, and Rehoboth Beach. Whether your car is in Pike Creek, Bear, Hockessin, New Castle, Georgetown, or along the Route 1 corridor, your vehicle does not need to run, pass inspection, or have current registration. At pickup, you simply sign the title over to our towing partner, and we take it from there. Your vehicle is sold, proceeds benefit Heritage for the Blind, and your IRS Form 1098‑C or written acknowledgment is mailed within 30 days of sale. If you want your deduction this year, schedule your pickup for December 31 or earlier—December slots in Delaware fill fast.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start in 2 minutes: form or phone
2 minutesGo to First State Autos’ secure donation form and enter your contact, vehicle, and pickup details—or call to donate by phone. You don’t need inspection, repairs, or current registration. Just basic vehicle info and your preferred pickup window in Delaware.
Coordinator calls back to lock your pickup date
Within 1–2 business hours (weekdays)A live donation coordinator calls you back, usually within 1–2 business hours on weekdays, to confirm your information and schedule your free tow. Tell them you need pickup on or before December 31 so your donation counts for this tax year.
Free Delaware tow truck arrives on your timeline
Same-day or next business day in most metro areasA licensed towing partner comes to your home, workplace, or storage lot in Wilmington, Dover, Newark, Middletown, or most Delaware areas. Many donors can get same‑day or next‑business‑day pickup. The date the truck picks up your car is your IRS donation date.
Sign the title at pickup and keep your receipt
5–10 minutesAt pickup, you hand over the keys (if available) and sign the Delaware title to transfer ownership. The driver provides a towing receipt or preliminary acknowledgment. This proves the vehicle left your possession on or before December 31 for tax‑year purposes.
Vehicle sold, IRS Form 1098‑C or acknowledgment mailed
Within 30 days of saleFirst State Autos arranges for your vehicle to be sold, with proceeds benefiting Heritage for the Blind. Within 30 days of the completed sale, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098‑C or a written acknowledgment by mail, showing the sale price or qualifying usage for your records.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date controls your tax year
For vehicle donations, the IRS looks to when you actually give up control of the car. When the tow truck picks it up and you sign the title on or before December 31, that’s the donation date for this tax year.
Form 1098-C documents larger deductions
If your vehicle sells for more than the IRS threshold, you’ll receive Form 1098‑C from Heritage for the Blind. This form shows the gross sale price or qualifying use, which you’ll use to support your itemized deduction.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, your allowable charitable deduction is the vehicle’s gross sale price, not its Kelley Blue Book value. Your 1098‑C or written acknowledgment will clearly list that sale amount for your tax preparer.
Itemizing on Schedule A is required
To claim a vehicle donation, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Keep your 1098‑C or acknowledgment and give it to your tax professional or include it when you e‑file.
30-day receipt rule
The charity must mail your 1098‑C or written acknowledgment within 30 days after the vehicle is sold or put to qualifying use. You don’t need it in hand by December 31—the key is that your pickup occurred by the deadline.