In Utah, if you want your car donation to count for this tax year, the key is simple: complete your donation by December 31. Once you lock in the donation, ReviveRides arranges free pickup and your vehicle is sold for the benefit of Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3). Your potential deduction is usually the gross sale price of the vehicle, not the Kelley Blue Book value. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind mails you IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days of the sale. For vehicles at $500 or below, you receive a written acknowledgment you can use to claim up to $500 or fair market value, whichever is lower. You must itemize on Schedule A to claim the deduction.
ReviveRides makes the year‑end process fast for donors across Utah — from Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Sandy, Draper, and Lehi to Ogden, Layton, Bountiful, Provo, Orem, St. George, and Logan. We pick up non‑running cars, SUVs, trucks, and vans at no cost to you, usually within a few days, Monday through Saturday. You keep the pickup confirmation as proof of your donation date, and Heritage for the Blind handles the IRS‑required receipts. You focus on beating the December 31 deadline; we handle the rest. Always consult a tax professional about how these rules apply to your specific return.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your Utah donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesSubmit the quick ReviveRides form or call to donate from anywhere in Utah—Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, St. George and more. Provide basic info about your car and choose your preferred pickup window. This date is what matters for locking in a deduction for this tax year.
Confirm free towing and donation date
5 minutesOur dispatch team (Monday–Saturday) confirms your free pickup time, usually within a few days, even for non‑running vehicles. You’ll get a confirmation showing the scheduled pickup, which you should keep as evidence that you completed the donation process by December 31 for this tax year.
Hand off the vehicle and keep your pickup proof
15 minutesOn pickup day in Utah, sign the title as directed and give the keys to the tow driver—no emissions test, safety inspection, or repairs needed. You receive a pickup document or email confirmation. Save this as proof of the donation date for your records and tax files.
Wait for sale and IRS-compliant receipt
Up to 30 days after saleReviveRides arranges the sale of your vehicle to benefit Heritage for the Blind. After it sells, Heritage for the Blind mails your IRS Form 1098‑C (for vehicles sold above $500) or a written acknowledgment (for $500 or below) within 30 days of the sale, showing the exact amount you may be able to deduct.
Claim your deduction when you file
Tax filing timeAt tax time, give the 1098‑C or written acknowledgment to your tax professional or use it when you prepare your own return. You’ll typically claim the deduction on Schedule A if you itemize. Your deduction amount is usually the gross sale proceeds shown on the form, subject to IRS rules.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Form 1098‑C for vehicles over $500
If Heritage for the Blind sells your donated car for more than $500, they must send you IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days of the sale. This form shows the gross sale price, which is usually the maximum amount you may deduct for your Utah car donation.
Deduction equals sale price, not book value
For most car donations, your deduction is usually based on the actual gross sale price — not Kelley Blue Book or what you think it’s worth. The 1098‑C will list that sale price. The IRS generally limits your deduction to that number, so keep the form with your tax records.
Special rule for $500-or-below vehicles
If your vehicle is sold for $500 or less, you’ll get a written acknowledgment instead of 1098‑C. You may usually deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is lower, depending on your situation. That written acknowledgment is what you’ll use as your tax record.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To benefit from a car donation tax deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal return instead of taking the standard deduction. If you don’t itemize, you generally can’t claim the vehicle donation. Ask your tax professional if itemizing makes sense for you this year.
Dec 31 donation date controls the tax year
For IRS purposes, the donation counts in the year you complete the gift — typically when you transfer the vehicle and ReviveRides accepts it, often the pickup date. Donate by December 31 in Utah to aim for a deduction on this year’s return, even if the vehicle sells and 1098‑C arrives later.