Here’s the bottom line for Fresno donors: to claim your car donation with Cruz Fresno for this tax year, your vehicle must be picked up by 11:59 p.m. on December 31. Scheduling alone is not enough—the tow has to be completed by year-end. Heritage for the Blind, our 501(c)(3) partner (EIN 58-2164446), runs Monday–Saturday pickups all through December, including Christmas week. In most Fresno Metro locations, if you call before early afternoon on a weekday, we can usually schedule a same-day or next-day tow. To be safe, call or submit the 2‑minute form by December 27 to lock in your December 31 pickup window.
Cruz Fresno serves the entire Fresno Metro area—whether you’re in Fig Garden, Tower District, Sunnyside, Woodward Park, Central Fresno, Clovis, Sanger, Selma, Madera, or Kerman. Your car doesn’t need to run, and you don’t need to handle repairs or inspections. You’ll get free towing nationwide, a tax receipt for your deduction, and the satisfaction of helping Heritage for the Blind fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired. If you’re staring at the calendar in late November or December and want this year’s tax benefit, start your donation now so your Fresno pickup is done by December 31.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation (2-minute form or call)
2 minutesShare your contact info, vehicle details, and Fresno pickup location—whether you’re in Northwest Fresno, near Fresno State, or out in Clovis or Sanger. It truly takes about two minutes, and you don’t need the car in running condition to begin.
Choose a pickup day before Dec 31
5 minutesOur scheduling team confirms your Fresno Metro address and offers the earliest Monday–Saturday slot. Around year-end, call or submit by December 27–28 to guarantee an opening on or before December 31, including Christmas week availability.
Sign the title before the tow truck arrives
5–10 minutesTo meet IRS rules, the vehicle must be legally transferred, which means having a properly signed California title ready at pickup. We’ll walk you through where to sign so your donation and tax deduction are valid for this year.
Free towing anywhere in Fresno Metro
Pickup dayOn your scheduled day, the driver meets you at home, work, or a Fresno-area shop. Non-running, damaged, or older vehicles are fine—there’s no cost to you. Once the tow is complete by Dec 31, your donation counts for this tax year.
Receive your tax receipt and claim your deduction
Within weeksAfter Heritage for the Blind processes and sells the vehicle, you’ll receive the required IRS acknowledgment—typically Form 1098-C for larger deductions. Use it when you file Schedule A to claim your charitable vehicle donation.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup = this year’s tax deduction
For the IRS, the key date is when the charity takes possession of the vehicle—not when you call. If your Fresno pickup is completed by December 31, you can generally claim the deduction on this year’s return.
Form 1098-C for larger vehicle donations
For vehicle donations above certain IRS thresholds, Heritage for the Blind will issue Form 1098-C (or a similar written acknowledgment). You’ll use this form to document the amount of your deductible contribution with your return.
Deduction usually equals the sale price
In most cases, the IRS allows you to deduct the gross sale price the charity receives when the vehicle is sold. Heritage for the Blind will state this amount on your receipt so you know exactly what to report.
30-day written acknowledgment requirement
After the vehicle is sold, the charity generally has 30 days to send the written acknowledgment with the sale amount. Keep this with your records for at least three years in case the IRS requests proof of your vehicle donation.
Itemizing on Schedule A is required
To benefit from a vehicle donation, you must itemize deductions on IRS Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Talk with your tax preparer to confirm whether itemizing your Fresno car donation makes sense for you.