If your car is picked up on or before December 31 in Tampa Bay, the IRS counts your donation for this tax year. With AutoLift Tampa, it’s fast: spend two minutes on our online form or call us, get a call‑back within 1–2 weekday hours, and schedule your free tow as early as same‑day in many Tampa neighborhoods. The physical pickup date – not the day we sell the vehicle – is what locks in your deduction year.
AutoLift Tampa handles every step for you in and around Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Wesley Chapel, Riverview, Carrollwood, New Tampa, Westchase, Seminole Heights, South Tampa, and across Tampa Bay. Your car doesn’t need to run, pass inspection, or have current registration. A licensed tow truck comes to your driveway, workplace, or storage lot, you sign the title at pickup, and proceeds support Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) helping people who are blind or visually impaired. Start now before year‑end slots fill up.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2‑minute form or call AutoLift Tampa
2 minutesTell us about your vehicle and where it’s parked anywhere in Tampa Bay, or call to donate by phone. You don’t need current registration, emissions, or repairs. Once you submit, your request is time‑stamped for fast year‑end scheduling.
Get your scheduling call within 1–2 weekday hours
1–2 hoursA donation coordinator from our partner, Heritage for the Blind, calls you back (usually within 1–2 business hours) to confirm details and offer the earliest available tow slots in your part of Tampa, including evenings and Saturdays in many areas.
Lock in your Dec 31 (or earlier) pickup time
Same day to next business day in most metrosOn the call, you choose a free pickup window that works for you. If the tow truck physically picks up your car on or before December 31, the IRS counts it as a donation for this tax year, even if it’s sold later.
Meet the tow truck and sign over the title
15–20 minutes at pickupA licensed, insured tow truck arrives at your Tampa address – home, office, or shop – often the same day or next business day. You hand over the keys (if available) and sign the title. The driver tows the car away completely free to you.
We sell the vehicle and send your tax paperwork
Within 30 days of saleYour donated vehicle is transported, processed, and sold. Heritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment or IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days of the sale so you have the official documentation for your federal tax return.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup = this year’s tax deduction
For IRS purposes, the donation date is when your car is picked up, not when it’s sold. If your vehicle is towed on or before December 31, you can generally claim the deduction for this tax year.
IRS Form 1098‑C for larger deductions
When the vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind issues a written acknowledgment or IRS Form 1098‑C. This shows the gross sale price and is required if your claimed deduction is more than the IRS threshold for vehicle donations.
Deduction usually equals the sale price
In most cases, the IRS limits your charitable deduction to the amount the charity receives from selling your vehicle. The sale price printed on your 1098‑C or acknowledgment is what you’ll typically use when you itemize.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To benefit from a car‑donation tax deduction, you generally need to itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal tax return instead of taking the standard deduction. A tax professional can confirm what’s best for you.
30‑day acknowledgment rule
The charity must send your written acknowledgment or 1098‑C within 30 days of selling the vehicle. Keep this with your records; the IRS can request it to support the car‑donation amount you claim on your return.