In South Dakota, the IRS goes by the date your car is physically picked up—not the day you call. To claim your deduction for this tax year, PrairieAuto Gifts must tow your vehicle on or before December 31. Because trucks fill up the last week of the year, we strongly recommend you schedule 3–5 business days before December 31. It takes about two minutes to submit our secure online form or call us, and Heritage for the Blind—our 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner—dispatches free pickups Monday through Saturday, even during the holiday season.
Whether you’re in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Brookings, Watertown, Mitchell, Pierre, Spearfish, or out near the Black Hills, PrairieAuto Gifts makes year‑end car donation simple. We accept most vehicles running or not, with no emissions test, repairs, or inspection required. Your car is sold, and Heritage for the Blind uses the proceeds to support services for people who are blind or visually impaired. You’ll receive the IRS-required written acknowledgment (and Form 1098‑C if your vehicle sells for more than $500) after the sale, but your deduction year is locked in as of the pickup date. Act now so your South Dakota car donation counts for this year’s taxes.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesSubmit our quick online form or call PrairieAuto Gifts with your South Dakota vehicle details and preferred pickup window. Have your title handy if possible, but don’t wait for perfection—the key is to get on the year‑end schedule before slots are gone.
Choose a pickup day before December 31
5 minutesOur team confirms your information and offers the earliest available pickup dates. To guarantee this year’s deduction, select a date on or before Dec 31. In most South Dakota areas, we can schedule within 3–5 business days, Monday through Saturday.
Get confirmation and lock in your slot
5-10 minutesYou’ll receive a confirmation with your pickup date, location (home, work, or storage lot), and towing details. Once your December pickup is confirmed, your year‑end tax planning is on track. Make any title or access arrangements before your driver arrives.
Vehicle is towed – your deduction year is set
Pickup dayOn pickup day, the driver collects the keys and title (if available) and tows your vehicle at no cost. The IRS considers this the official donation date. As long as towing occurs by December 31, the donation applies to this tax year.
Receive your tax acknowledgment and Form 1098-C
After saleHeritage for the Blind processes the donation, sells the vehicle, and mails your written acknowledgment. If the vehicle sells for more than $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098‑C. You’ll use this paperwork when you itemize deductions on your federal return.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date controls your tax year
For vehicle donations, the IRS uses the day your car is actually picked up as the donation date. If PrairieAuto Gifts tows your car by December 31, it generally counts as a deduction for that tax year.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind will send you IRS Form 1098‑C. This form shows the gross proceeds from the sale and is needed to claim larger vehicle deductions.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, your allowable federal deduction is the amount the charity receives from selling your vehicle, not a price guide value. Your acknowledgment or 1098‑C form will list that sale amount for your records.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To benefit from a federal car‑donation deduction, you must itemize deductions using Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Ask your tax preparer whether itemizing makes sense for your situation.
Receipt comes later, but year is based on pickup
Your written acknowledgment and any Form 1098‑C are mailed after the vehicle sells, which may be in the new year. That does not change the deduction year—the IRS still uses the original pickup date.