In Vermont, the IRS rule is clear: to claim a car donation on this year’s taxes, your vehicle must be picked up on or before December 31. With Green Wheels, that means getting your free tow fully completed by year-end—no exceptions. We dispatch Monday through Saturday all year, including Christmas week, with same-day or next-day pickups in most metro areas when you contact us before early afternoon on weekdays. To confidently lock in a December 31 pickup window, we recommend you call or submit the 2-minute form by December 27. Have your signed title ready, and we handle the rest.
Green Wheels partners with Heritage for the Blind, a trusted 501(c)(3) helping people who are blind or visually impaired. We’re local to Vermont donors, serving Burlington, South Burlington, Winooski, Essex, Colchester, Montpelier, Barre, Rutland, Brattleboro, Bennington, St. Albans, and communities across the Northeast Kingdom. Whether your car is parked in the Old North End, down a dirt road in Waitsfield, or in a condo lot in Williston, we’ll arrange fast, free towing in any condition—no inspection, emissions, or repairs required. You get a tax receipt and clear your driveway before the snowbanks pile up. Start now and make sure this year’s tax deduction—and your Vermont winter space—are guaranteed.
Your year-end donation timeline
Confirm you can meet the IRS cutoff
2 minutesLook at your calendar and decide you can be available for pickup on or before December 31. In Vermont, your deduction applies to this tax year only if the tow is completed by Dec 31, not just scheduled.
Start the 2-minute form or call Green Wheels
2 minutesGo online or call Green Wheels and provide basic details: year, make, model, condition, and exact Vermont location—whether that’s Burlington, Rutland, Montpelier, or a rural driveway. It truly takes about two minutes to start.
Have your signed Vermont title ready
2–5 minutesFind your Vermont vehicle title and sign where indicated. The tow driver must receive a properly signed title at pickup for a valid donation. No need to clean the car or fix anything—just secure the keys and title together.
Lock in your pickup day and time window
5–10 minutesOur dispatch team schedules Monday–Saturday, including Christmas week. Call by Dec 27–28 to guarantee a Dec 31 slot. In most Vermont metro areas we can often offer same-day or next-day pickup if you contact us before early afternoon on weekdays.
Complete the free tow and hand off the title
15–30 minutesOn pickup day, the driver arrives, verifies your title, and tows the car away at no cost—running or not, from paved Burlington driveways to rural barns. Once the vehicle is on the truck, your donation for this tax year is locked in.
Receive and keep your tax receipt
Under 5 minutesYou’ll receive an initial donation receipt at pickup and a follow-up IRS-compliant receipt from Heritage for the Blind. Keep it with your tax records to support your deduction when you file your federal return and Vermont state taxes.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 decides which tax year counts
For IRS purposes, the donation date is when the charity takes possession of your vehicle. If your car is picked up on or before December 31, it can count for this tax year; January pickups apply to next year’s return.
Form 1098-C for higher-value deductions
If Heritage for the Blind sells your vehicle for more than the IRS threshold, they’ll issue Form 1098-C. This form documents the gross sale price and is required to claim larger deductions when you itemize on Schedule A.
Your deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, the IRS limits your deduction to the amount the charity actually receives from selling your vehicle. That final sale price will be listed on your receipt or Form 1098-C and is what you report when itemizing.
30-day written acknowledgment requirement
Charities must send you a written acknowledgment—often within 30 days of the sale or donation—that includes key details about your vehicle. Heritage for the Blind provides this receipt so you have proper documentation for your records.
Schedule A for itemized deductions
To claim a car donation on your federal return, you must itemize deductions using Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. A tax professional can help you decide if itemizing your Vermont and federal taxes makes sense.