In West Virginia, the IRS rule is strict and simple: your vehicle donation must be picked up on or before December 31 to count for this tax year. With Appalachian Autos, scheduling is fast and straightforward. Our partner nonprofit, Heritage for the Blind, runs pickups Monday–Saturday all year, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s. In most metro areas, if you call before early afternoon on a weekday, we can often arrange same-day or next-business-day towing. To be safe, call or submit the 2-minute form by December 27 to lock in your December 31 pickup slot.
Whether you’re in Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Wheeling, Beckley, Martinsburg, or smaller communities from the Kanawha Valley to the Eastern Panhandle, Appalachian Autos can arrange a free tow for your car, truck, SUV, or van—running or not. No inspection, repairs, or cleaning needed. Just have your signed West Virginia title ready, answer a few quick questions, and you’ll receive a tax receipt from Heritage for the Blind after your vehicle is sold. If you’re racing the clock before year-end, handle it today so your deduction is locked in for this tax year.
Your year-end donation timeline
1. Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesCall Appalachian Autos or complete the quick online form—about two minutes from start to finish. Share your West Virginia pickup address (Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, etc.), basic vehicle details, and how to reach you fast for scheduling.
2. Lock in your December pickup date
5-10 minutesOur Heritage for the Blind scheduling team contacts you to confirm a pickup day and time. Call by December 27–28 to comfortably secure a Dec 31 slot. We dispatch Monday–Saturday, including Christmas week, in most West Virginia areas.
3. Prepare your title and keys
10 minutesSign your West Virginia vehicle title and place it with the keys in an obvious spot for the tow driver. No inspection or emissions test is required. Non-running or damaged? No problem—the tow is still free statewide.
4. Free tow and official pickup by Dec 31
15-30 minutesThe driver arrives during your agreed time window, handles the paperwork, and tows your car at no cost. As long as this pickup happens by December 31, your donation counts for this tax year under IRS rules.
5. Receive your tax receipt and claim deduction
Within 30 daysAfter the vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment and IRS-compliant receipt, typically within 30 days. You use this documentation to claim your charitable deduction on your federal return.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 sets the tax year
For vehicle donations, the IRS looks at the actual transfer date. If your car is picked up on or before December 31, the donation applies to that tax year; January pickups count for the next year’s return.
Form 1098-C for larger deductions
If your vehicle sells for more than the IRS reporting threshold, Heritage for the Blind issues Form 1098-C. You attach this to your tax return when you itemize to substantiate your charitable vehicle deduction.
Deduction equals sale price in most cases
Typically, your deductible amount is the gross sale price Heritage for the Blind receives when your vehicle is sold, not a price guide estimate. Your receipt will show this figure once the sale is completed.
30-day acknowledgment window
IRS rules require a written acknowledgment within 30 days of the sale or, in some cases, within 30 days of donation. Heritage for the Blind provides this receipt so you have proper documentation for your records.
Itemizing on Schedule A
To use a vehicle donation as a federal tax deduction, you typically must itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Check with a tax professional to see what’s best for your situation.