In South Dakota, the IRS rule is simple: for your car donation to count as a tax deduction this year, the pickup MUST be completed by December 31. With PrairieAuto Gifts, benefiting Heritage for the Blind, we run fast, free pickups Monday through Saturday, including Christmas week, across South Dakota. Call or complete our 2-minute online form by December 27–28 to guarantee a December 31 pickup slot in most areas. Same-day or next-day towing is often available when you contact us before early afternoon on weekdays.
We know year-end moves quickly in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Brookings, Watertown, Mitchell, and smaller communities from Spearfish and Sturgis to Yankton and Vermillion. That’s why PrairieAuto Gifts keeps the process simple: no emissions tests, no repairs, and non-running vehicles are welcome. All you need is a signed South Dakota title; we handle the rest and provide a tax receipt from Heritage for the Blind (a 501(c)(3), EIN 58-2164446). Your unwanted car, truck, SUV, or van is towed at no cost, often right from your driveway, and converted into support for people who are blind or visually impaired—while you secure a deduction for this tax year.
Your year-end donation timeline
1. Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesFrom anywhere in South Dakota—Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Pierre, or smaller towns—call PrairieAuto Gifts or complete our quick online form. Share your contact info, basic vehicle details, and preferred pickup window so we can match you with the closest tow provider.
2. Lock in your year-end pickup time
5-10 minutesOur team confirms your information, checks local tow availability, and schedules your free pickup Monday–Saturday, including Christmas week. Call by December 27–28 to reliably secure a December 31 slot in most South Dakota metro areas and many rural communities.
3. Prepare your South Dakota title
5 minutesLocate your South Dakota vehicle title and sign it where indicated for a transfer to charity. Our staff will walk you through the exact spots to sign. No inspection, repairs, or emissions testing are required—non-running and high-mileage vehicles are welcome.
4. Free towing from your driveway or lot
15-30 minutes at pickupOn your scheduled day, the tow driver meets you at home, work, or a storage lot in cities like Aberdeen, Brookings, Watertown, or smaller communities. You hand over the signed title and keys, and your vehicle is towed at no cost, regardless of condition.
5. Receive your tax-deductible receipt
Within 30 days of saleHeritage for the Blind processes your donation, sells the vehicle, and mails you a tax receipt, generally within 30 days after the sale. For qualifying donations, you’ll also receive IRS Form 1098-C to document your deduction when you file your federal return.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 is the IRS cutoff
For federal taxes, the donation date is when Heritage for the Blind legally receives your vehicle—practically, that means the pickup must be completed by December 31 for it to count as a deduction on this year’s return.
How your deduction is calculated
In most cases, the IRS allows you to deduct the actual sale price of your donated vehicle, not a book value. After the vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind sends documentation showing the gross sale amount you can claim, subject to IRS limits.
IRS Form 1098-C for larger gifts
If your vehicle sells for more than the IRS reporting threshold, Heritage for the Blind issues Form 1098-C. You attach this to your federal return to substantiate the deduction and keep a copy with your records in case of any IRS questions.
Itemizing on Schedule A
To benefit from a car donation deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal tax return. If you take the standard deduction, you won’t get additional tax savings from the vehicle, even though your gift still supports the charity.
30-day acknowledgement requirement
The IRS expects you to receive a written acknowledgment within 30 days of your vehicle’s sale. Heritage for the Blind mails this to you and it includes the sale price and a statement confirming you received no significant goods or services in return.