In Seattle, the hard IRS cutoff for claiming your car donation on this year’s taxes is simple: your vehicle must be picked up on or before December 31. Scheduling isn’t enough—the tow truck actually has to complete the pickup by midnight on Dec 31 for you to claim the deduction on this year’s return. RideRebirth, benefiting Heritage for the Blind (a 501(c)(3), EIN 58-2164446), runs Monday–Saturday pickups all the way through December 31, including Christmas week. Call by December 27–28 to comfortably guarantee a December 31 slot in the Seattle metro. Same-day or next-day pickup is available in most Puget Sound areas when you contact us before early afternoon on weekdays. Your car can be non-running, with no inspection or repairs needed, as long as you have a signed title.
We know year-end in Seattle is hectic—dark afternoons, holiday traffic on I-5, and packed schedules from Ballard to Beacon Hill. That’s why RideRebirth keeps the process fast and local-feeling. In about two minutes on the phone or via our online form, you can lock in free towing anywhere around Puget Sound—Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Everett, Kent, Redmond, Shoreline, Federal Way, and more. You’ll get a tax receipt, and proceeds support services for people who are blind or visually impaired. If you’re searching right now because the year is winding down, this is your window—start your donation today and secure this year’s tax benefit.
Your year-end donation timeline
1. Start your donation in about 2 minutes
2 minutesCall RideRebirth or complete the quick online form with your contact info, vehicle details, and where it’s located in the Seattle/Puget Sound area. No emissions test, photos, or repairs needed—just basic information and your availability for pickup.
2. Lock in a year-end pickup date
5 minutesTell us you need this year’s tax deduction. For guaranteed Dec 31 pickup, contact us by Dec 27–28. Our dispatch team schedules Monday–Saturday, including Christmas week, across Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Everett, and nearby cities.
3. Prepare your signed Washington title
5–10 minutesBefore the truck arrives, locate your Washington State vehicle title and sign where indicated for transfer. The tow driver cannot complete pickup or issue your donation paperwork without a properly signed title, even if the car doesn’t run.
4. Free tow anywhere around Puget Sound
30–60 minutes at pickupOn your scheduled day, the driver comes to your home, apartment, or workplace—whether that’s Capitol Hill, West Seattle, Renton, or Lynnwood. Towing is completely free, and we accept non-running or heavily damaged vehicles with no hassle.
5. Receive your tax receipt and complete your deduction
Within 30 days of saleYour vehicle is sold and proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind. You’ll receive an IRS-compliant receipt (and Form 1098-C when required) you can use when you itemize on Schedule A. Because pickup happened by Dec 31, the deduction applies to that tax year.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 controls the tax year
For car donations, the IRS looks at the date of donation, which is effectively the pickup/transfer date. If your vehicle is picked up on or before Dec 31, you can generally claim the deduction for that calendar tax year.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, your deduction is the gross sale price of the vehicle when the charity sells it, not the Kelley Blue Book value. Heritage for the Blind will document this amount for you when the vehicle is sold.
Form 1098-C for higher-value vehicles
If your vehicle sells for more than the IRS reporting threshold, Heritage for the Blind will issue IRS Form 1098-C. You use this form to substantiate your deduction when filing and keep it with your tax records.
Itemize on Schedule A
To benefit from your car donation for federal taxes, you generally must itemize deductions using Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Talk with a tax professional to see what’s best for your situation.
30-day acknowledgment requirement
The charity must send a written acknowledgment, often within about 30 days of the vehicle’s sale or donation. That letter (and Form 1098-C when applicable) is what you keep as proof of your qualified charitable contribution.