Donate your car in Greater New Orleans by 11:59 p.m. on December 31, and you may be able to claim a 2024 tax deduction when you file. With Crescent Wheels, your deduction is based on what your vehicle actually sells for, not Kelley Blue Book. If it sells for over $500, Crescent Wheels mails you IRS Form 1098‑C after the sale. If it sells for $500 or less, you get a written acknowledgment and you may generally deduct the lesser of $500 or fair market value. You must itemize on Schedule A to claim the deduction. Always consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Crescent Wheels partners with Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 58‑2164446), to turn your vehicle into services for people who are blind or visually impaired. We pick up cars, trucks, and SUVs across Greater New Orleans — from Lakeview, Gentilly, and Mid‑City to Algiers, Uptown, New Orleans East, Metairie, Kenner, and the Westbank. The online form takes about two minutes, pickups run Monday through Saturday, and non‑running cars are welcome. Lock in your deductible donation date before the year ends and let us handle the towing, title transfer, and receipts.
Your year-end donation timeline
1. Donate online or by phone in 2 minutes
2 minutesShare your contact info, vehicle details, and preferred pickup spot in Greater New Orleans — whether you’re in the French Quarter, Mid‑City, Metairie, or Algiers. Once your donation is submitted, your donation date is locked in for IRS purposes, as long as we can complete the transfer. No photos, inspections, or repair estimates required.
2. Confirm your free local pickup time
5 minutesOur dispatcher calls to schedule a free tow, usually Monday–Saturday, at a time that works for you. We pick up from driveways, street parking, or garages across the metro. You don’t have to be present if paperwork is arranged in advance. Non‑running and older vehicles are welcome; just tell us where the keys and title will be.
3. Get your pickup confirmation and keep it
Same dayWhen the tow truck arrives, the driver provides a pickup confirmation. This document is your proof of the donation date — critical for showing the IRS you donated by December 31 for a 2024 deduction. Keep it with your tax files along with any title transfer documents we help you complete on the spot.
4. Vehicle sells and Crescent Wheels reports the price
Within a few weeksCrescent Wheels arranges the sale of your vehicle to benefit Heritage for the Blind. Once it sells, we record the gross sale proceeds. The IRS requires that your deduction generally equals this sale price, not Kelley Blue Book or other estimates. We cannot set or guarantee a value, but we’ll clearly report the actual sale amount.
5. Receive your IRS tax paperwork by mail
Within 30 days of saleFor vehicles that sell for over $500, we mail you IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days of the sale. For vehicles that sell for $500 or less, we send a written acknowledgment with the date and basic vehicle information. Keep these documents to support your Schedule A deduction at tax time.
6. Claim your deduction on Schedule A
At tax filingAt tax time, you or your tax preparer use Form 1098‑C or the written acknowledgment to claim your charitable deduction on Schedule A (Itemized Deductions). If you don’t itemize, you generally can’t use the deduction. For any special circumstances or large donations, consult a tax professional or CPA in Louisiana.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Deduction equals sale price, not book value
For most car donations, the IRS lets you deduct the gross sale proceeds Crescent Wheels receives when your vehicle is sold, not Kelley Blue Book or a guess. That actual sale price is what appears on your Form 1098‑C and supports your itemized deduction.
How IRS Form 1098‑C works
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Crescent Wheels sends you IRS Form 1098‑C within 30 days after the sale. It shows the sale date and price and confirms that Heritage for the Blind is a qualified 501(c)(3) charity. Attach it to your return if required and keep it with your records.
Donations at $500 or below
If your vehicle sells for $500 or less, you receive a written acknowledgment instead of Form 1098‑C. In many cases, you may deduct the lesser of $500 or the vehicle’s fair market value, subject to IRS rules. The acknowledgment letter documents your donation date and vehicle details.
You must itemize on Schedule A
Car donations are claimed as charitable contributions on Schedule A. You only get a tax benefit if you itemize deductions instead of taking the standard deduction. The value of the deduction depends on your tax bracket and overall situation, so speak with a tax professional for personalized advice.
Donate by Dec 31 for this year’s taxes
To use the deduction on your current year’s return, your donation must be completed by December 31. The IRS looks at when you transferred the vehicle, not when it sold. Your pickup confirmation is key proof that you donated in time for this year’s tax deadline.