In Lancaster County, the IRS rule is clear: your donated vehicle must be picked up by December 31 to qualify for a tax deduction this year. With Lancaster Motor Gifts, scheduling is fast and local–a simple 2‑minute form or phone call starts everything, and pickups run Monday through Saturday, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s. To reliably secure a December 31 pickup, we strongly recommend you call or submit the form by December 27–28. Same‑day or next‑day service is often available in most metro areas for calls before early afternoon on weekdays.
We serve donors throughout Lancaster city and all of Lancaster County–from Manheim Township, East Petersburg, and Lititz to Ephrata, Elizabethtown, Millersville, Mount Joy, and Strasburg. Your car doesn’t need to run, pass inspection, or be repaired; we’ll tow it free from your driveway, farm lane, office, or apartment lot. You simply need a signed title at pickup. Your donation benefits Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) that supports people who are blind or visually impaired, and you receive a tax receipt for your records. If you’re looking at the calendar and wondering how late you can wait, this is the moment: lock in your year‑end deduction today while December slots are still open in Lancaster County.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start with a 2-minute call or online form
2 minutesGive basic details about your vehicle, where in Lancaster County it’s located, and how to reach you. No inspection, photos, or repairs are required. Once you hit submit or finish your call, our local towing partner starts working to assign your pickup window.
Choose your pickup day before December 31
5 minutesWe’ll contact you quickly, usually within a business day, to confirm a pickup day and time. Around Lancaster, we schedule Monday–Saturday, including Christmas week. Call by December 27–28 to reliably secure a December 31 time slot for this tax year.
Prepare your signed Pennsylvania title
5-10 minutesBefore the tow truck arrives, sign your PA vehicle title as the seller. Have your title and keys ready in Lancaster city, suburbs, or rural areas so the driver can complete paperwork on the spot. This is required for the donation and your tax documentation.
Free towing anywhere in Lancaster County
15-30 minutes at pickupOn pickup day, our professional driver meets you at your home, farm, or workplace—from downtown Lancaster and Columbia to New Holland and Quarryville. They load your vehicle, even if it’s non-running, and you pay nothing for towing or processing.
Receive your tax receipt and claim your deduction
Within weeks of saleHeritage for the Blind will mail you an initial receipt after pickup, then a final receipt with the gross sale price once the vehicle is sold. Keep this with your tax records and use it to complete IRS Form 1098‑C and Schedule A when you file.
Year-end tax deduction facts
December 31 controls which tax year you can claim
For vehicle donations, the IRS looks at the date of transfer. Your car must be picked up and donated by December 31 to be deductible on this year’s return. A January pickup counts for next year, even if you called in December.
You’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C for larger deductions
When Heritage for the Blind sells your vehicle, they report the gross sale price and issue IRS Form 1098‑C for qualifying donations. Your final acknowledgment letter and 1098‑C support your deduction if you itemize on Schedule A.
Your deduction generally equals the vehicle’s sale price
In most cases, your allowable deduction is the amount the charity receives when your vehicle is sold at auction or through a dealer. That sale price appears on your final donation receipt and, when applicable, on Form 1098‑C for your tax records.
You must itemize on Schedule A to deduct the gift
Car donations are charitable contributions. To benefit, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Your Lancaster tax preparer can help you compare which method gives you the greater overall tax savings.
Expect an acknowledgment within roughly 30 days of sale
After your car is picked up and sold, Heritage for the Blind sends a written acknowledgment, usually within about 30 days of the sale. This document shows the sale price and confirms the donation date for your December 31 tax‑year deadline.