In South Florida, the hard IRS deadline is simple: your vehicle must be picked up on or before December 31 for the deduction to count on this year’s tax return. With Palm Ride Exchange in West Palm Beach, that means completing your free pickup through our charity partner, Heritage for the Blind, by Dec 31. They run Monday–Saturday all year, including Christmas week, and can often schedule same-day or next-business-day if you call before early afternoon. To safely lock in a Dec 31 pickup slot in Palm Beach County, call or submit the 2-minute form by Dec 27 (Dec 28 at the latest). You’ll just need your signed title and basic vehicle details.
Palm Ride Exchange serves donors across West Palm Beach and the wider South Florida area – from downtown and Northwood Village to Palm Beach Lakes, Flamingo Park, Lake Worth Beach, Riviera Beach, Wellington, Greenacres, Boynton Beach, and beyond. Your car, truck, SUV, or van is towed free, whether it runs or not, with no emissions check or repairs required. Proceeds support Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) helping people who are blind or visually impaired. If you’re looking at the calendar and wondering if you can still make this year’s tax deadline, you can – but you need to schedule your pickup now.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your 2-minute donation in West Palm Beach
2 minutesCall Palm Ride Exchange or complete the quick online form with your contact info, vehicle location, and basic details. It takes about two minutes from anywhere in West Palm Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth Beach, or nearby South Florida communities.
Confirm date, time, and title status
5 minutesA scheduling specialist for Heritage for the Blind confirms your preferred pickup day and window, including Christmas week. Have your signed Florida title ready. To guarantee a Dec 31 pickup, lock in your slot by Dec 27–28.
Free tow from your home, work, or lot
Same day or next day in most areasThe tow truck meets you in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Boynton Beach, or anywhere in South Florida. Running or not, your vehicle is loaded at no cost to you. You hand over the signed title, and pickup is complete by Dec 31 for this year’s deduction.
Same-day temporary receipt for your records
Day of pickupAt pickup, you receive a temporary receipt acknowledging your donation to Heritage for the Blind through Palm Ride Exchange. This documents the transfer date as on or before Dec 31, which is key for claiming your deduction for the current tax year.
Final IRS-compliant receipt after sale
Within about 30 days of saleAfter your vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind mails you a detailed acknowledgement, typically within 30 days of the sale. This receipt shows the gross sale price, which you generally use for your tax deduction and to complete IRS Form 1098-C if required.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup equals this year’s deduction
For IRS purposes, the donation date is when Heritage for the Blind takes possession of your vehicle. If pickup in West Palm Beach happens on or before Dec 31, you can generally claim the deduction on this year’s tax return.
Your deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, the IRS lets you deduct the amount the charity actually receives when the car is sold, not a price guide estimate. Heritage for the Blind will report the gross sale price on your written acknowledgement.
Form 1098-C for larger vehicle donations
If the claimed value of your donated vehicle is more than $500, the IRS generally requires Form 1098-C. Heritage for the Blind provides the information you need for this form when they send your final written acknowledgement.
30-day written receipt after the sale
After your vehicle from West Palm Beach or surrounding South Florida is sold, Heritage for the Blind mails a formal receipt, typically within 30 days of the sale. Keep this with your tax records to document your deduction amount.
Itemizing on Schedule A is required
To benefit from a charitable vehicle donation, you must itemize deductions on IRS Schedule A. If you take the standard deduction, you won’t separately claim a tax benefit from your car donation, even with a valid receipt.