Donate your car to Rev Up Hope in California by 11:59 p.m. on December 31 and you can generally claim the deduction on your 2024 federal return. For vehicles that sell for over $500, your deduction equals the gross sale price of the vehicle (not Kelley Blue Book). After the car sells, Rev Up Hope mails you IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days of the sale. For vehicles that sell for $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment and you may usually deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is lower. To use the deduction, you must itemize on Schedule A. Always consult a tax professional for advice on your specific situation.
Rev Up Hope offers free pickup throughout California—from Los Angeles, Long Beach, Anaheim, and Riverside to San Diego, the Bay Area (San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose), Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield, and beyond. Non‑running cars are welcome; no smog check, inspection, or repairs needed. You’ll receive a pickup confirmation as proof of your donation date, which is what matters for the year‑end deadline, even if the car sells later in January. Your donated vehicle helps support services for people who are blind or visually impaired, through our partnership with Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 58‑2164446).
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2‑minute donation form or call
2 minutesShare your California location (from Eureka to San Diego), basic vehicle details, and how to reach you. This locks in your intent to donate before December 31 so we can schedule pickup and start your tax paperwork process.
Lock in your donation date and pickup
5 minutesOur team calls to confirm your donation and schedule free pickup—often Monday through Saturday. The pickup confirmation is your proof of the donation date for the IRS, even if the vehicle sells after New Year’s.
Prepare the title and remove personal items
10–15 minutesBefore the tow truck arrives at your home, office, or apartment in places like Los Angeles, San Jose, or Sacramento, clear personal items and locate your title. The driver will guide you on signing the title correctly for a charitable donation.
Free towing anywhere in California
30–60 minutesWe pick up your car, truck, SUV, or van at no cost—running or not. No inspection or repairs are required. You’ll receive a pickup confirmation or tow receipt; keep this with your records as proof of the donation date for your tax file.
Receive your IRS tax paperwork by mail
Within 30 days of saleOnce your vehicle sells, Rev Up Hope mails your Form 1098‑C if the sale price is over $500, or a written acknowledgment if it’s $500 or under. Use this with Schedule A when you file and itemize your federal return.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Deduction equals sale price over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, the IRS generally limits your deduction to the gross sale price, not Kelley Blue Book or a private‑party estimate. Your Form 1098‑C from Rev Up Hope shows this amount.
Form 1098‑C for vehicles over $500
When your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Rev Up Hope issues IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days of the sale. This form documents the sale price and charity details for your federal income tax return.
Written acknowledgment at $500 or less
If the vehicle sells for $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment instead of Form 1098‑C. In many cases, you may deduct up to $500 or the vehicle’s fair market value, whichever is lower, if you itemize.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To claim a car donation deduction, you generally must file Schedule A (Form 1040) and itemize deductions. If you take the standard deduction, you usually cannot add an extra deduction for your vehicle donation.
Dec 31 controls the tax year for your gift
For tax purposes, the key date is when you donate the vehicle—usually the pickup or transfer date—not when it sells. Donate by December 31 in California to generally claim your deduction for that tax year.