In Wisconsin, the IRS rule is simple: your car must be picked up by December 31 for you to claim a deduction on this year’s taxes. With Badger Auto Aid, working with Heritage for the Blind, we schedule fast, free tows across Wisconsin Monday through Saturday – even Christmas week. In most metro areas, if you contact us before early afternoon on a weekday, we can often arrange same-day or next-day pickup. To guarantee a December 31 slot, we strongly recommend you call or submit the 2-minute form by December 27–28 with a signed title in hand.
We’re local to how Wisconsin really lives and drives. Whether you’re in Milwaukee (Bay View, Wauwatosa, Glendale), Madison (Fitchburg, Sun Prairie, Middleton), Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine, Appleton, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Wausau, or up in the Fox Valley and Northwoods, your donation helps Heritage for the Blind provide services for people who are blind or visually impaired. We accept vehicles in almost any condition – running or not – and your tow is always free. Take two minutes today, lock in your pickup, and keep your Wisconsin tax deduction on track before the year ends.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesComplete our quick online form or call Badger Auto Aid. Have your Wisconsin title, VIN, and basic contact details handy. It takes about two minutes to start, and you’ll immediately know we can take your vehicle and schedule pickup for this tax year.
Lock in a December pickup date
2 minutesTell us your ideal pickup day and time. In Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and other metro areas we often arrange same-day or next-day tows. Contact us by December 27–28 to guarantee a December 31 slot, subject to availability.
Prepare your signed Wisconsin title
2 minutesBefore the driver arrives, sign your Wisconsin vehicle title as instructed so the transfer is legal. No emissions test, inspection, or repairs are required. Just clear out your belongings, remove your plates if you wish, and have keys and title ready at pickup.
Free pickup anywhere in Wisconsin
2 minutesOur towing partner comes to your home, work, or shop – from Kenosha and Racine to Eau Claire, Oshkosh, and beyond. We tow Monday–Saturday, including Christmas week, and haul away vehicles in almost any condition at no cost to you.
Receive your tax receipt and claim your deduction
2 minutesAfter your vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment, and for larger donations an IRS Form 1098-C. Your deduction is generally based on the gross sale price and is claimed on Schedule A when you file your federal return.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 is the IRS cutoff
For federal taxes, your donation counts in the year when you actually donate the vehicle. That means your car must be picked up and transferred by December 31 to claim the deduction on this year’s return.
Your deduction is based on sale price
In most cases, the IRS lets you deduct the vehicle’s gross sale price, not an estimate of its value. Once Heritage for the Blind sells your car, your receipt will show that amount so you can document your deduction.
Form 1098-C for larger donations
If your vehicle sells for more than the IRS threshold, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098-C. You attach this form (or the required details from it) to your return when you claim your charitable vehicle deduction.
Use Schedule A to itemize
Car donations are claimed as charitable contributions on Schedule A of your federal tax return. You need to itemize deductions instead of taking the standard deduction for the vehicle write-off to benefit you.
30-day written acknowledgment
Heritage for the Blind sends you a written acknowledgment, usually within about 30 days after the sale. Keep this receipt and any 1098-C with your records in case the IRS requests documentation of your donation.