Donate your car in New York City before 11:59 p.m. on December 31, and your tax deduction counts for this year—even if we sell it next year. Metro Wheels arranges free pickup, sells the vehicle, and sends you the right IRS documents. If your car sells for more than $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C after the sale; your allowable deduction is the vehicle’s gross sale price, not Kelley Blue Book. If it sells for $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment, and you may generally deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is lower. To use the deduction, you must itemize on Schedule A. Always consult your tax professional for your specific situation.
We make year-end donations fast for New Yorkers. Metro Wheels serves the entire New York City Metro—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and surrounding areas like Yonkers, New Rochelle, Jersey City, and Hoboken. There’s no inspection, no repairs needed, and non-running cars are welcome. You’ll get a pickup confirmation you should keep as proof of your donation date, and your official acknowledgment is mailed within 30 days after the sale. Your donated vehicle supports Heritage for the Blind, a trusted 501(c)(3) helping people who are blind or visually impaired. If you’re watching the calendar, this is the simplest way to turn a car into a meaningful, tax-deductible gift before year-end.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute donation form or call Metro Wheels
2 minutesProvide your contact info, car details, and location—whether you’re in Midtown, Astoria, Park Slope, Riverdale, or Staten Island. Once you submit the form or call, your intent to donate is logged for this tax year as long as the pickup is scheduled for a future date.
Lock in your pickup time before December 31
5 minutesOur dispatch team (Monday–Saturday) confirms a free towing time that works for you—days, evenings, or weekends, in most New York City neighborhoods and nearby suburbs. Non-running, damaged, or unregistered vehicles are okay; no emissions or safety inspection is required.
Complete the pickup and keep your confirmation
15–30 minutesWhen the tow truck arrives, you hand over the keys and title (if available). The driver issues a pickup confirmation—this is your proof of the donation date. Keep it with your records to show the gift occurred by December 31 for this tax year.
Metro Wheels sells your vehicle and reports the price
Timing variesWe handle the sale at auction or via licensed buyers, working to get a fair market sale price. That final gross sale amount is what typically determines your maximum tax deduction when your car sells for more than $500 under IRS rules.
Receive IRS Form 1098-C or written acknowledgment
Within 30 days of saleIf the sale price is over $500, we mail IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. If it’s $500 or below, we send a written acknowledgment. Use this, plus Schedule A, to claim your deduction; consult your tax preparer for guidance.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Deduction equals sale price (over $500)
For vehicles that sell for more than $500, the IRS generally limits your deduction to the car’s gross sale proceeds—not Kelley Blue Book or your estimate. Metro Wheels reports that sale price on IRS Form 1098-C for your tax records.
How $500-or-less donations work
If your donated vehicle sells for $500 or less, Metro Wheels sends a written acknowledgment instead of Form 1098-C. In most cases, you may deduct up to $500 or the car’s fair market value, whichever is lower. Confirm the amount with your tax advisor.
You must itemize on Schedule A
Car donations are a charitable contribution. To claim them, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal tax return instead of taking the standard deduction. A tax professional can help you decide which approach benefits you most.
Form 1098-C and 30-day mailing rule
When your vehicle sells for more than $500, Metro Wheels sends IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. This form shows the sale date and gross proceeds and is the primary document the IRS expects you to keep for your vehicle donation deduction.
Why December 31 matters
For federal tax purposes, the donation date is when you transfer the vehicle, not when it sells. If you donate by December 31, the deduction applies to that tax year, even if Metro Wheels doesn’t sell the car and send paperwork until the following year.