In St. Petersburg, the hard IRS deadline for this year’s car donation is December 31 – and your vehicle must be picked up by that date, not just promised. With Gulf Wheels, working with Heritage for the Blind, you can schedule Monday–Saturday all through Christmas week, with same‑day or next‑day pickup in most Tampa Bay areas when you contact us before early afternoon. To safely guarantee a December 31 pickup slot, call or submit the 2‑minute form by December 27–28, with your signed title ready.
We’re local to the St. Pete and Tampa Bay area – from Downtown and Old Northeast to Kenwood, Shore Acres, Tyrone, Pinellas Park, Largo, Clearwater, and across the Howard Frankland. Your tow is 100% free, whether your car runs or not. No inspection, repairs, or emissions needed. You’ll receive a tax receipt from Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) that supports people who are blind or visually impaired. If you’re staring at the calendar in late November or December wondering, “How late can I donate my car in St. Pete and still write it off this year?” – the answer is: schedule now so we can get it picked up by December 31.
Your year-end donation timeline
Step 1 – Start in 2 minutes online or by phone
2 minutesFrom anywhere in St. Petersburg or Tampa Bay, complete our simple online form or call Gulf Wheels. Share your contact info, vehicle location, and basic car details. No photos or inspections are required, and non‑running vehicles are welcome. This locks in your request before the year‑end rush.
Step 2 – Lock in your pickup date and time
5 minutesOur scheduling team, working with Heritage for the Blind, calls to confirm a pickup window that works for you. We dispatch Monday–Saturday all year, including Christmas week. Contact us by December 27–28 to confidently secure a December 31 slot in most St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay neighborhoods.
Step 3 – Prepare your signed Florida title
5–10 minutesBefore tow day, locate your Florida title and sign it where indicated for transfer. The tow driver will guide you on exactly where to sign if needed. Having a properly signed title is essential for a valid donation and tax deduction, so handle this step before December 31.
Step 4 – Free towing anywhere in Tampa Bay
15–30 minutes on pickup dayOn your scheduled day, our professional driver arrives at your St. Petersburg or nearby address – home, work, or repair shop. They handle all loading and paperwork. Your vehicle can be non‑running, damaged, or unused; tow is always free, and you owe nothing at pickup.
Step 5 – Receive your tax receipt for this year
Within weeks of saleAfter your donated vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind mails you a tax receipt stating the sale price, typically within 30 days of the sale. If your pickup was completed on or before December 31, your deduction applies to this tax year when you file and itemize.
Year-end tax deduction facts
December 31 is the IRS cutoff
For car donations, the IRS treats the gift as made on the date you transfer the vehicle. With Gulf Wheels, that means the tow and title transfer must be completed by December 31 for the deduction to count in that tax year.
Your deduction equals the sale price
In most cases, the IRS allows you to deduct the actual sale price of your donated vehicle, not a book estimate. Once Heritage for the Blind sells it, they send a receipt stating the sale amount that you can use for your Schedule A itemized deduction.
Form 1098-C for larger donations
If your vehicle sells for more than the IRS threshold, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098‑C from Heritage for the Blind. Attach this form to your return to substantiate any larger deduction and keep it with your records in case of an IRS question.
30-day written acknowledgment
Charities are required to send you a written acknowledgment, typically within 30 days of selling the vehicle. This letter or Form 1098‑C shows the sale price, description of the vehicle, and that you received no substantial goods or services in return.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To use a car donation deduction, you must itemize deductions on IRS Schedule A. If you take the standard deduction, you can still donate your car to support Heritage for the Blind, but you won’t claim a separate tax deduction for the vehicle.