In Connecticut, your vehicle donation counts for this tax year only if the car is physically picked up by December 31. With Nutmeg Auto Aid, powered by Heritage for the Blind, the IRS donation date is the actual tow date — not when you fill out the form, and not when you call. To be safe, schedule your pickup at least 3–5 business days before December 31 so we can get your free tow done in time and you can claim this year’s deduction.
Heritage for the Blind arranges free vehicle pickup across Connecticut — from Hartford, West Hartford, Newington, and Manchester, to New Haven, Hamden, and West Haven, plus the Stamford–Norwalk and Bridgeport–Fairfield shoreline and communities like Waterbury, New Britain, and Middletown. We accept most cars, trucks, and SUVs, even non-running vehicles, with no emissions test or repairs needed. Our team operates Monday through Saturday throughout the holiday season, so you can donate quickly, help people who are blind or visually impaired, and still enjoy your New Year’s plans. Start now to reserve your year-end slot.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute Connecticut donation form or call
2 minutesShare your contact info, CT location (Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, etc.), and basic vehicle details. It takes about two minutes. Tell us you need pickup by December 31 so we prioritize your year-end tax deadline. We’ll confirm that your vehicle qualifies and explain exactly what happens next.
Choose a pickup day before December 31
5 minutesOur schedulers, operating Monday–Saturday, offer the earliest available tow window in your Connecticut area. For a same-year deduction, your car must be physically picked up by December 31, so we urge you to book at least 3–5 business days before year-end to secure a slot.
Prepare your keys and title for the tow driver
10–15 minutesBefore pickup day, remove personal belongings and plates if required by Connecticut, and locate your title. The driver will guide you if you can’t find it. No repairs, detailing, or emissions testing are needed. We accept most non-running vehicles at no cost to you, statewide.
Complete pickup and lock in this year’s deduction
15–30 minutesWhen the tow truck arrives, you sign the necessary paperwork, hand over the keys and title, and we haul the vehicle away free. The IRS treats this pickup date as your official donation date, so as long as it’s on or before December 31, it counts for this tax year.
Receive your tax acknowledgment and 1098-C if eligible
VariesAfter your vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C. Even though this may arrive in the new year, the deduction year is based on your pickup date, not the mailing date.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup = this year’s IRS deduction
For vehicle donations, the IRS uses the actual pickup date as the donation date. If your car is towed away on or before December 31 in Connecticut, you generally claim the deduction for that tax year.
Scheduling vs. pickup date
Calling or submitting the form by December 31 is not enough. The vehicle must be physically picked up by December 31 for this year’s deduction, so schedule your Connecticut tow 3–5 business days before year-end.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind will send you IRS Form 1098-C. You typically deduct the gross sale price shown on that form, subject to IRS rules and your tax situation.
Itemizing on Schedule A
Vehicle donations are usually claimed as charitable contributions when you itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal tax return. Your actual tax benefit depends on your overall deductions and tax bracket.
Written acknowledgment timing
Your tax receipt is mailed after the vehicle is sold and processed. It may arrive in the new year, but your eligible deduction year is based on the December 31-or-earlier pickup date, not when you receive the letter.