To claim a car donation tax deduction for this year, the IRS deadline is simple: donate by December 31. When you donate your vehicle to RideForward in Greater Philadelphia, you can generally deduct the amount your car actually sells for—not the Kelley Blue Book estimate. If your vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind (a 501(c)(3), EIN 58-2164446) will mail you IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. That form shows the gross sale proceeds, which is usually your deduction amount when you itemize on Schedule A. If your car is valued at $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment, and you may deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is lower. Keep your pickup confirmation as proof of the donation date, and always consult a tax professional about your specific situation.
RideForward makes it easy for donors across Greater Philadelphia—Center City, West Philly, South Philly, Northeast, Northwest, the Main Line, Upper Darby, Cherry Hill, and beyond. Our 2-minute online form or quick phone call locks in your donation date, and we arrange free towing, often within a few days. No inspection, no repairs, non-running vehicles welcome. You help fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired through Heritage for the Blind, and you get the tax paperwork you need without the red tape.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesComplete RideForward’s quick online form or call our Greater Philadelphia team with your vehicle details. This is what locks in your donation date for IRS purposes, as long as the pickup is completed. You’ll get an immediate confirmation for your records.
Choose pickup in Greater Philadelphia
3-5 minutesTell us where the car is—Rittenhouse, Fishtown, South Philly, Manayunk, Northeast Philly, King of Prussia, or nearby New Jersey suburbs. We schedule a free pickup, usually Monday–Saturday, at a time that works for you. No inspection or prep needed.
Hand over keys and title at pickup
15-30 minutesOur towing partner arrives, even if the vehicle doesn’t run. You sign the title as instructed and hand over the keys. You’ll receive a pickup confirmation—keep this as proof of your donation date for your tax records and your preparer.
Vehicle sells and paperwork is issued
Within 30 days of saleRideForward sells your vehicle to benefit Heritage for the Blind. If it sells for more than $500, you’ll be mailed IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. For $500 or under, you receive a written acknowledgment instead of Form 1098-C.
Claim your deduction on your tax return
When you fileGive Form 1098-C or the acknowledgment to your tax professional. If you itemize on Schedule A, you may claim a charitable deduction based on the rules: gross sale proceeds for most cars, or up to $500/fair market value for lower-value vehicles.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Deduction equals sale price, not book value
For vehicles that sell for more than $500, the IRS generally limits your deduction to the car’s gross sale price—not Kelley Blue Book or your estimate. Form 1098-C from Heritage for the Blind shows this sale price for your tax records.
When Form 1098-C is required
If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind must send you IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. You use this form to substantiate your deduction when you itemize on Schedule A of your federal return.
Cars $500 or less use a simple acknowledgment
If your car’s value is $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment instead of Form 1098-C. In most cases, you may deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is lower, when you itemize your deductions on Schedule A.
You must itemize on Schedule A
A car donation is a charitable contribution. To benefit, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal tax return. If you take the standard deduction, you generally cannot also claim a separate vehicle donation deduction.
Donate by Dec 31 for this year’s taxes
The key IRS cutoff is the donation date, not when you file. Completing your donation with RideForward by December 31 in Greater Philadelphia normally allows you to claim the deduction on this year’s return, subject to your personal tax situation.