Year-End Car Donation Tax Deduction in Kentucky

To claim a 2024 car donation tax deduction in Kentucky, your donation must happen by December 31. With Ride for Good, your deduction is based on the car’s actual sale price, not Kelley Blue Book. After your vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind mails you IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days of the sale showing the gross proceeds. If the vehicle sells for $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment and you can generally deduct the smaller of $500 or the fair market value. You must itemize on Schedule A to claim the deduction, and you should keep your pickup confirmation as proof of the donation date.

Ride for Good makes year‑end car donation simple across Kentucky – from Louisville (St. Matthews, Shively, Jeffersontown) and Lexington (Hamburg, Beaumont, Chevy Chase) to Northern Kentucky (Covington, Florence, Newport), Bowling Green, Owensboro, and Eastern Kentucky communities around Pikeville and Hazard. We arrange free towing in most areas, Monday through Saturday, and accept most vehicles whether they run or not. You skip the hassle of selling, support Heritage for the Blind’s vital services for people who are blind or visually impaired, and get the right paperwork for your taxes. Donate now, beat the December 31 IRS deadline, and lock in your 2024 deduction.

Your year-end donation timeline

1. Start your donation in about 2 minutes

2 minutes

Use our secure online form or call to donate from anywhere in Kentucky – Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Owensboro, Northern Kentucky and beyond. Provide basic info about your car, location, and title status to lock in your donation date before December 31.

2. Confirm pickup time and donation date

5 minutes

Our towing partner calls to schedule a free pickup, usually within a few days, Monday–Saturday. The donation date for your tax deduction is the date we accept the vehicle, not when it’s later sold. Keep your pickup confirmation as proof of that date for your records.

3. Free towing anywhere in Kentucky

30–60 minutes

We tow your vehicle at no cost from your driveway, workplace, or storage lot in Kentucky. Non‑running cars are fine and no inspection or repairs are needed. You hand over the keys and signed title (where required) so Heritage for the Blind can legally sell the vehicle.

4. Vehicle sale and IRS paperwork

Within 30 days of sale

Ride for Good sells your donated vehicle for the benefit of Heritage for the Blind. If the gross sale price is over $500, you’ll be mailed IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days of the sale. For $500 or less, you receive a written acknowledgment with the key tax details.

5. Claim your deduction on your return

Tax filing time

At tax time, use the 1098‑C or acknowledgment plus your pickup confirmation to document your gift. You may claim the deduction if you itemize on Schedule A. Bring these documents to your tax professional to apply the vehicle donation correctly on your federal return.

Year-end tax deduction facts

Deduction equals actual sale price over $500

If Heritage for the Blind sells your vehicle for more than $500, your federal tax deduction is generally the gross sale proceeds shown on Form 1098‑C, not Kelley Blue Book or another price guide.

Special rule for $500 or under vehicles

If your car sells for $500 or less, you may typically deduct the smaller of $500 or the vehicle’s fair market value. You’ll receive a written acknowledgment instead of Form 1098‑C for your tax records.

IRS Form 1098‑C mailed after sale

For vehicles sold for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind mails you IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days after the sale. This form lists the sale date and gross proceeds that determine your potential deduction.

Must itemize using Schedule A

To benefit from a car donation deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal return. If you take the standard deduction, you generally cannot claim an additional vehicle donation deduction.

Dec 31 controls which tax year it counts for

Your deduction year is based on when the charity accepts your vehicle, not when it sells. Donate and complete pickup by December 31 in Kentucky to claim the deduction on this year’s federal tax return.

FAQ

If I donate my car in Kentucky on December 31, can I still deduct it for this tax year?

Yes, if Ride for Good, on behalf of Heritage for the Blind, accepts your vehicle by December 31, the donation counts for this tax year, even if the car sells later. The key is completing the donation (pickup or signed title transfer) by year‑end. Keep your pickup confirmation showing the date.

How much can I deduct for my Kentucky car donation?

If the vehicle sells for more than $500, your deduction is generally the gross sale price shown on IRS Form 1098‑C. If it sells for $500 or less, you may typically deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is less. Always confirm your specific deduction with a tax professional.

When will I get IRS Form 1098‑C for my donation?

Once your vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind mails IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days of the sale to the address you provided. Keep this form with your tax records and bring it to your tax preparer when you file your return and itemize on Schedule A.

What paperwork do I need to claim the deduction?

You’ll need the pickup confirmation or other proof of the donation date, plus the tax receipt: Form 1098‑C if the sale exceeds $500, or a written acknowledgment if it’s $500 or less. You’ll also need to file Schedule A if you itemize. Your tax advisor can help you apply these documents properly.

Do I have to itemize to benefit from my car donation?

Yes. Vehicle donations to Heritage for the Blind through Ride for Good are charitable contributions. To claim them, you generally must itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. If you don’t itemize, you usually can’t add an extra car donation deduction to your federal return.

My car doesn’t run. Can I still donate it in Kentucky?

In most cases, yes. Ride for Good can arrange free towing for non‑running vehicles across much of Kentucky, including Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky, and many rural areas. There’s no need for inspection or repairs. As long as we can tow it and receive proper title, you can still qualify for a deduction.

Should I talk to a tax professional before donating?

It’s wise to consult a tax professional, especially near year‑end. They can confirm whether itemizing makes sense for you, how much your car donation might reduce your tax bill, and how to report Form 1098‑C or your acknowledgment correctly on your federal return given your overall tax situation.

Related donation guides

Donate Before Year-End

Donate your car before year-end →

December Deadline

December car donation deadline →

Before December 31