Donate your car in North Carolina to Legacy Wheels by December 31 and you may deduct the vehicle’s value on this year’s federal tax return. Here’s how it works: if your vehicle sells for over $500, your deduction usually equals the gross sale price (not Kelley Blue Book). We mail you IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days of the sale. If your vehicle’s value is $500 or below, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment and may generally deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is lower. To claim the deduction, you must itemize on Schedule A. Always consult a tax professional about your specific situation.
Legacy Wheels makes it easy for North Carolina donors from Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, and Greensboro to the Triad, Triangle, Fayetteville, Asheville, Wilmington, Winston‑Salem, and the Outer Banks. We schedule free towing in most NC locations, accept non‑running vehicles, and you don’t need to handle inspections or repairs. Your pickup confirmation is your proof of donation date, which controls whether it counts for this tax year. Proceeds support Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) serving people who are blind or visually impaired. If you’re ready to lock in your year‑end deduction, start our 2‑minute online form or call now.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your 2-minute North Carolina donation form
2 minutesEnter your contact information, basic vehicle details, and preferred pickup time. As long as you submit and schedule your donation by December 31, your gift can generally count for this tax year, based on the donation date on your confirmation.
Confirm free pickup anywhere in North Carolina
5 minutesA Legacy Wheels representative contacts you (usually same or next business day) to confirm your NC pickup address—whether you’re in Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Asheville, Wilmington, or a smaller town—and finalize a convenient towing window, often Monday–Saturday.
Sign title, hand over keys, keep pickup confirmation
10 minutesOn pickup day, our towing partner collects your vehicle at the agreed time. You sign the title over and give them the keys. You’ll receive a pickup receipt—keep this as proof of your donation date for this tax year’s records and your tax preparer.
Vehicle sells, then Legacy Wheels mails your tax receipt
Varies by saleLegacy Wheels arranges the sale of your vehicle. If it sells for more than $500, we mail IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days of the sale. For $500 or below, we send a written acknowledgment you can use when you file and itemize.
Itemize on Schedule A and claim your deduction
Tax-filing timeWhen you file your federal return, give your 1098‑C or acknowledgment and pickup confirmation to your tax professional. If you itemize on Schedule A, you may deduct the allowed amount, subject to IRS rules and your individual tax situation.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Deduction equals gross sale price over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, the IRS generally limits your deduction to the actual gross sale price—not Kelley Blue Book or a private‑party estimate. Form 1098‑C will show the sale price for your records.
Special rules for $500-or-below vehicles
If your car is valued at $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment instead of Form 1098‑C. You may usually deduct up to $500 or the vehicle’s fair market value, whichever is lower, when you itemize on Schedule A.
Form 1098-C mailed within 30 days of sale
Legacy Wheels mails IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days after your vehicle sells. This form lists the sale price or other required information the IRS needs so you can support your charitable deduction at tax time.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To benefit from a federal tax deduction for your car donation, you must itemize deductions on IRS Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Ask your tax professional if itemizing makes sense for your situation.
Donate by Dec 31 for this year’s deduction
For federal tax purposes, the key date is when you donate—when Legacy Wheels accepts your car and you transfer it, not when it sells. Donate by December 31 to potentially claim the deduction on this year’s return.