In Kansas, your car donation only counts for this tax year if it’s physically picked up on or before December 31. The IRS donation date is the actual pickup date—not the day you fill out the form or call. To safely lock in this year’s deduction, Sunflower Autos urges donors to schedule pickup at least 3–5 business days before December 31. Heritage for the Blind runs tow trucks Monday through Saturday through the holiday season, and they’ll pick up your vehicle free—running or not.
Sunflower Autos proudly serves donors across Kansas—from Wichita, Derby and Andover, to the Kansas City metro, including Overland Park, Olathe, Shawnee and Lenexa, and across Topeka, Lawrence, Manhattan, Salina, Hutchinson and Garden City. You don’t need emissions, inspection or repairs; just your title and a couple minutes to start. After your vehicle sells, Heritage for the Blind (a 501(c)(3), EIN 58-2164446) mails you written acknowledgment, including IRS Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500. The tax year is locked in by the pickup date, even if the paperwork arrives later. Donate before the year ends and make a real impact for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute donation form or call
2 minutesShare your Kansas location, basic vehicle info and contact details. It only takes about two minutes, and there’s no obligation. Have your title nearby if possible. Sunflower Autos immediately routes your request to Heritage for the Blind’s towing team to start scheduling your free pickup before the December 31 IRS cutoff.
Choose a pickup day before December 31
5 minutesA scheduling specialist works with you to pick a day and time window that fits your schedule, Monday through Saturday. To protect your year-end deduction, aim to book pickup at least 3–5 business days before December 31, especially in busier areas like Wichita and the Kansas City suburbs.
Prepare your vehicle and title
10–15 minutesRemove personal items, gather your keys and title, and follow any simple title-signing instructions you receive. Your car can be non-running, damaged or parked in a driveway, lot or farmyard—no repairs or inspection needed. The tow driver will handle the rest when they arrive for your Kansas pickup.
Vehicle is picked up – tax year is locked in
15–30 minutesOn your scheduled day, the tow truck comes to your Kansas address, loads your vehicle and provides a preliminary pickup receipt. This pickup date is what the IRS uses to determine which tax year your donation applies to—as long as it’s on or before December 31, it counts for this year’s return.
Receive your tax acknowledgment by mail
Varies by sale dateAfter your donated vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment. For vehicles that generate over $500 in proceeds, this includes IRS Form 1098-C. Even if this arrives weeks later, your deduction year remains the year the car was actually picked up in Kansas.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date decides your tax year
The IRS considers the donation made on the day your vehicle is physically picked up, not when you call or submit the form. In Kansas, your car must be towed away by December 31 to count as a deduction for that tax year.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If your donated vehicle generates more than $500 in gross proceeds, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098-C. You attach this to your federal return when claiming your deduction for itemized charitable contributions on Schedule A.
Deduction generally equals sale price
In most cases, the IRS limits your deduction to the amount the charity receives from selling your vehicle, not the Kelley Blue Book value. Your acknowledgment or Form 1098-C will show this sale amount for your records and tax preparation.
Written acknowledgment within IRS timeframes
Heritage for the Blind mails you a written acknowledgment, typically within the IRS-required time after the vehicle is sold. Even if this arrives in the new year, your deduction year is still the year the vehicle was picked up in Kansas.
Itemizing on Schedule A is required
To claim a car donation, you generally must itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. A tax professional can help you decide which approach provides the best benefit based on your Kansas tax situation.