In Oregon, your car donation only counts for this tax year if the vehicle is physically picked up by December 31. The IRS uses the actual pickup date as your donation date, not the day you schedule. That means you must have your tow completed on or before Dec 31 to claim the deduction on this year’s return. With Cascade Car Exchange, Heritage for the Blind provides free towing Monday–Saturday, but year-end pickup slots fill quickly. We strongly recommend you schedule 3–5 business days before December 31 to lock in your spot.
Whether you’re in Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Bend, Medford, Corvallis or along the Oregon Coast, Cascade Car Exchange makes year-end car donation fast and local. The 2-minute form and a quick phone call are all it takes—no emissions test, DEQ visit, or repairs required. We accept most vehicles, including non-running cars, trucks, SUVs and vans at no cost to you. Your donated vehicle supports Heritage for the Blind, a real 501(c)(3) helping people who are blind or visually impaired. Start now to beat the rush and secure your Oregon tax deduction before the December 31 IRS deadline.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute donation form or call
2 minutesShare your contact info, Oregon pickup address, and basic vehicle details—running or not. It takes about two minutes. This lets Cascade Car Exchange confirm we can arrange free towing for Heritage for the Blind in your area before the December 31 deadline.
Choose your preferred pickup window
5 minutesOur team reviews your request and offers available pickup dates Monday–Saturday. To ensure a tow by Dec 31, aim to schedule 3–5 business days before year-end. You pick the day and general time window that works around your Oregon schedule.
Confirm pickup details and lock in your tax year
5 minutesOnce you confirm a date, you’re on the dispatch calendar. Remember: the IRS donation date is the actual tow date. As long as Heritage for the Blind’s driver picks up your car on or before Dec 31, your deduction applies to this tax year.
Prepare keys, title, and clear access
10–15 minutesBefore pickup, remove personal items, clear your driveway or curb space, and locate the title and keys. The vehicle does not need to run or pass DEQ. The tow truck can usually handle flat tires or non-starting vehicles anywhere in Oregon at no cost to you.
Pickup, receipt, and follow-up tax paperwork
10 minutesAt pickup, you’ll receive an initial receipt noting the date—this is the tax year your donation counts. After the car sells, Heritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment, and for vehicles sold over $500, IRS Form 1098-C for your itemized deduction.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Donation date is the pickup date
For the IRS, your donation happens when the charity (or its agent) takes possession of the vehicle. If your car is towed on December 30, it counts this year. If it’s picked up January 2, it counts for next year—no matter when you scheduled.
December 31 sets your deduction year
To claim your Oregon car donation on this year’s federal return, your vehicle must be picked up on or before December 31. A pickup in January means the deduction applies to next year’s tax filing instead.
Written acknowledgment and Form 1098-C
After your vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment. If it sells for more than $500, you’ll also receive IRS Form 1098-C, which you use to substantiate your charitable vehicle deduction when itemizing.
Deduction amount is usually sale price
In most cases, your allowable deduction equals the gross sale price the charity receives for your donated vehicle, not a blue-book estimate. The final sale amount appears on the acknowledgment and, when applicable, on Form 1098-C.
Itemizing on Schedule A is required
To benefit from a tax deduction for your donated car, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal return. If you take the standard deduction, you generally cannot add a separate charitable vehicle deduction.