In the eyes of the IRS, your car donation is dated the day it’s physically picked up—not the day you call or fill out a form. That means in Greater Philadelphia your vehicle must be towed or driven away by December 31 to qualify as a deduction for this tax year. To be safe, RideForward recommends scheduling your pickup 3–5 business days before year-end so Heritage for the Blind can confirm your slot and get your vehicle picked up on time.
RideForward makes year-end car donations simple for donors across Philadelphia—from Center City, Fishtown, South Philly, and West Philly to the Northeast, Manayunk, Chestnut Hill, and the Main Line, plus suburbs like Upper Darby, Bensalem, Camden, and Cherry Hill. Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) serving people who are blind or visually impaired (EIN 58-2164446), provides fast, free towing Monday through Saturday during the holiday season, even for non-running vehicles. No inspection, emissions, or repairs are required. You’ll receive a written acknowledgment, and if your vehicle sells for more than $500, an IRS Form 1098-C for your records. If you’re ready to clear your driveway, support a meaningful cause, and still claim a deduction for this tax year, start your donation now.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute form or call today
2 minutesShare your vehicle details and Greater Philadelphia pickup location—whether you’re in South Philly, Roxborough, or Cherry Hill. This locks in your intent and gets you into the year-end dispatch queue before slots fill up in late December.
Choose a pickup window before Dec 31
5 minutesHeritage for the Blind schedules Monday–Saturday pickups across the region. Pick a date at least 3–5 business days before December 31 so there’s time to confirm your driver and ensure the actual tow happens this tax year.
Confirm paperwork and keys
5 minutesYou’ll receive a quick confirmation by phone or email. Just have your title (if available) and keys ready in your Philadelphia-area home, garage, or lot. No need to fix the car—non-running vehicles are welcomed at no cost to you.
Vehicle is picked up – your tax year is set
Pickup dayOn your scheduled day, the tow driver removes your vehicle at no charge anywhere in Greater Philadelphia. The IRS donation date is this pickup date, so as long as it’s on or before December 31, it counts for this tax year.
Get your acknowledgment and tax paperwork
After vehicle saleYou’ll receive a written acknowledgment, and for vehicles that sell for more than $500, an IRS Form 1098-C after the vehicle is sold. Keep this with your records when you itemize deductions on your federal return.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 pickup = this year’s deduction
The IRS uses the date your vehicle is actually picked up or delivered, not the date you schedule. If Heritage for the Blind tows your car on or before December 31, you can claim the deduction for this tax year.
Written acknowledgment is required
You’ll receive a written acknowledgment from Heritage for the Blind confirming your donation. Keep this with your tax records to support your charitable contribution when you file your federal return.
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 shows the gross sale price, which typically determines the maximum deduction you can claim.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, the amount you can deduct is based on what the charity receives when your car is sold, not an estimate or Blue Book value. Your 1098-C will show this figure for your tax preparer.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To use a charitable vehicle deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal tax return. If you take the standard deduction, you generally cannot claim an additional car donation deduction.