In Hawaii, the IRS sets your vehicle donation date as the day it’s physically picked up — not the day you call or fill out a form. That means your car must be picked up on or before December 31 to claim the deduction on this year’s taxes. With Island Wheels, operated by Heritage for the Blind, free tow trucks run Monday–Saturday through the holiday season. To be safe, we recommend you schedule at least 3–5 business days before December 31 so we can assign a truck and lock in your year-end pickup.
Island Wheels proudly serves donors across Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island — from Honolulu, Kaimukī, and Kapolei to Hilo, Kona, Wailuku, Kahului, Līhuʻe, and beyond. We accept running and non-running vehicles, and there’s no inspection or repairs needed. You get a deductible receipt for your records, and for vehicles sold above $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C after the sale. Your donation helps Heritage for the Blind provide services for people who are blind or visually impaired, while you clear your driveway and secure a tax benefit for this year. Start now — the 2‑minute form and one quick call can reserve your year-end pickup in Hawaii.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute Island Wheels donation form or call
2 minutesShare your contact info, vehicle location, and basic car details. It takes about two minutes and there’s no obligation. Have your Hawaii address handy — whether you’re in Honolulu, Pearl City, Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Wailuku, or Līhuʻe. This first step lets us confirm free pickup and start the tax-deductible donation process.
Choose your pickup window before December 31
5 minutesOur team schedules Monday–Saturday pickups throughout the holiday season. To lock in this year’s deduction, select a pickup date on or before Dec 31, and ideally contact us 3–5 business days in advance so we can secure a tow truck in your Hawaii neighborhood.
Prepare keys and title (if available)
10-15 minutesRemove personal items and gather your keys and title if you have it. If you can’t find the title, let our team know in advance — in many Hawaii situations we can still help. No safety check, registration, or repairs are required; non-running vehicles are fine.
Vehicle is picked up — your deduction year is set
Pickup dayWhen the tow truck arrives at your Hawaii home, condo, or workplace and loads your vehicle, the IRS counts that calendar date as your donation date. As long as pickup happens by December 31, the deduction applies to this tax year, even if the car sells later.
Receive your tax acknowledgment and 1098-C if applicable
After vehicle saleIsland Wheels, through Heritage for the Blind, mails your written acknowledgment after the vehicle sells. For vehicles sold for more than $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C. Keep this with your tax records when you itemize your deduction using Schedule A.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Donation date = pickup date
For IRS purposes, your donation happens when the charity or its agent takes possession of your vehicle. If Island Wheels picks up your car on December 31 in Hawaii, it counts for this tax year, even if the sale and paperwork happen later.
Must itemize using Schedule A
To claim a car donation deduction, you generally need to itemize deductions on IRS Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Talk with your tax advisor about whether itemizing makes sense for your situation this year.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If Heritage for the Blind sells your donated vehicle for more than $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C. It shows the gross sales price, which usually sets the maximum amount you can deduct on your federal tax return.
30-day written acknowledgment
The charity must send you a written acknowledgment within 30 days of the sale or significant use of your vehicle. Keep this, and any Form 1098-C, with your records; you’ll need it if the IRS asks you to substantiate your deduction.
December 31 locks in this tax year
As long as your vehicle is picked up in Hawaii on or before December 31, the donation applies to this tax year. Calling isn’t enough — the tow truck must physically receive the vehicle by year-end to qualify.