In Puget Sound, your car donation only counts for this tax year if the vehicle is physically picked up by December 31. The IRS uses the pickup date as your official donation date — scheduling alone isn’t enough. With RideRebirth, operated for Heritage for the Blind, that means you’ll want to book your free tow at least 3–5 business days before year-end so we can get to you in time for this year’s deduction.
We know December in Seattle moves fast — from crowded I-5 commutes to last-minute runs through South Lake Union, Ballard, West Seattle, Capitol Hill, and beyond. Our local dispatch works Monday through Saturday, even through the holiday season, to pick up vehicles across Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Everett, Renton, Kent, Redmond, and surrounding Puget Sound communities. No inspection, no repairs, and non-running cars are welcome. You complete a quick 2-minute form or call, we schedule a pickup window that fits your calendar, and Heritage for the Blind sends your tax acknowledgment after the vehicle sells. The deduction year is locked in as long as your car is picked up by December 31.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesSubmit our fast online form or call from anywhere in Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Everett, or surrounding Puget Sound cities. Have your title (if available) and basic vehicle details ready. This starts the process, but remember: the IRS uses the actual pickup date for your deduction year.
Schedule pickup 3–5 business days before Dec 31
5 minutesOur team confirms your details and offers the earliest available pickup window, Monday–Saturday. To lock in this year’s deduction, choose a date on or before December 31, and try to contact us at least 3–5 business days before year-end to secure your spot.
Free tow anywhere in Puget Sound
1 day to several daysWe dispatch a licensed tow partner to your home, work, or storage lot in neighborhoods like Ballard, Queen Anne, Federal Way, Lynnwood, or Issaquah. Running or not, your car is towed at no cost. The day it’s picked up is your official IRS donation date.
Receive your preliminary donation confirmation
Same day of pickupAt pickup, you’ll receive basic paperwork confirming that Heritage for the Blind accepted your vehicle. Keep this with your records. For vehicles over $500, you’ll later receive IRS Form 1098-C after the sale, but your deduction year is already set by the pickup date.
Get your tax receipt after the car sells
Within weeks after saleYour donated vehicle is sold, and proceeds support Heritage for the Blind’s services for people who are blind or visually impaired. After the sale, we mail you a written acknowledgment (and Form 1098-C for qualifying vehicles) so you can document your Schedule A deduction.
Year-end tax deduction facts
IRS counts the pickup date, not the call date
For tax purposes, your donation date is when Heritage for the Blind (through RideRebirth) actually picks up your vehicle. To claim this tax year, your car must be towed away on or before December 31.
Schedule 3–5 business days before December 31
Year-end pickup slots across Seattle fill quickly. Contact us at least 3–5 business days before December 31 so we can schedule a Monday–Saturday pickup in time for you to qualify for this year’s IRS deduction.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If your vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098-C. This form shows the gross sale price, which typically determines the amount you can deduct when you itemize on Schedule A.
Written acknowledgment arrives after your car sells
Your official tax acknowledgment is mailed after we sell your vehicle, usually within weeks. Even if the paperwork arrives later, your deduction is based on the year the car was picked up, not when you receive the letter.
You must itemize deductions to claim the benefit
Car donations are usually claimed as charitable contributions on Schedule A. To use the deduction, you must itemize rather than take the standard deduction. Check with a tax professional about your specific situation.