In Kentucky, your car donation only counts for this year’s taxes if your vehicle is physically picked up on or before December 31. Scheduling a pickup is not enough—the IRS uses the actual pickup date as your donation date. To be safe, Ride for Good recommends booking your free pickup at least 3–5 business days before December 31 so Heritage for the Blind can get your car, truck, SUV, or van off your driveway in time for this year’s deduction.
Ride for Good helps Kentucky donors from Louisville (St. Matthews, Shively, Jeffersontown) to Lexington (Hamburg, Beaumont, Chevy Chase), across Northern Kentucky (Covington, Florence, Newport), Bowling Green, Owensboro, Ashland, Pikeville, and rural communities in between. Heritage for the Blind operates Monday through Saturday throughout the holiday season, and they accept non-running vehicles with no inspection or repairs needed. Your donated vehicle is sold to support services for people who are blind or visually impaired, and you receive a tax receipt for your records. Start now—our 2-minute form and quick phone line make it easy to beat the December 31 IRS cutoff.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesComplete the quick online form or call Ride for Good with your Kentucky vehicle details and contact information. Have your title handy if possible, but don’t worry if you’re unsure—we’ll walk you through what’s needed to donate before year-end.
Choose your pickup window
5 minutesTell us your preferred pickup days and times in Kentucky. To lock in this year’s tax deduction, schedule a slot at least 3–5 business days before December 31 so Heritage for the Blind can dispatch a tow truck Monday–Saturday in time.
Confirm your IRS-effective pickup date
2 minutesWe’ll confirm your exact pickup date and time. That pickup date is what the IRS treats as your donation date. Make sure it falls on or before December 31 if you want the deduction on this year’s tax return.
Free pickup anywhere in Kentucky
Day of pickupA professional tow driver comes to your home, workplace, or storage lot—whether you’re in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, or a smaller town. The vehicle can be non-running; there’s no cost, no emissions test, and no repairs required.
Receive your tax acknowledgment
After vehicle saleAfter Heritage for the Blind sells your vehicle, they mail you a written acknowledgment, and for vehicles valued over $500, IRS Form 1098-C. Even if this arrives later, your eligible deduction year is based on the confirmed pickup date.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date controls your tax year
The IRS uses the date your car is actually picked up as the donation date. To claim the deduction on this year’s return, your vehicle must be towed away on or before December 31, not just scheduled.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098-C. This form shows the gross selling price, which you generally use as the maximum amount of your charitable deduction.
Deduction usually equals sale price
For most vehicle donations, the IRS limits your deduction to the amount the charity actually receives from selling your car. Your acknowledgment or Form 1098-C will show this sale price for your tax records.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To benefit from a vehicle donation, you need to itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Talk with your tax preparer to see if itemizing makes sense for your situation this year.
Receipt may arrive later—year stays the same
Heritage for the Blind sends your written acknowledgment within IRS timeframes, often up to 30 days after the sale. Even if mail crosses into the new year, your deduction applies to the year the vehicle was picked up.