In Greater Boston, your car donation only counts for this tax year if your vehicle is physically picked up on or before December 31. The IRS donation date is the actual pickup date – not when you call, submit the form, or sign the title. To be safe, Revive Rides recommends scheduling 3–5 business days before year-end so Heritage for the Blind can confirm a free tow slot that meets the December 31 cutoff.
Revive Rides coordinates local pickups across Boston and surrounding communities – from Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, and Allston–Brighton to Cambridge, Somerville, Quincy, Medford, Waltham, Brookline, and beyond. Heritage for the Blind dispatches Monday through Saturday throughout the holiday season, and we accept most vehicles free, even if they’re not running. You’ll receive a written acknowledgment for your records and, for vehicles valued over $500, IRS Form 1098-C after the car is sold. The deduction year is locked in by the pickup date, not when the paperwork arrives. If you’re in Greater Boston and want this year’s tax deduction, now is the moment to schedule.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute donation form or call
2 minutesShare basic details about your car, your Boston-area location, and how to reach you. It really takes about two minutes, and there’s no obligation. The sooner you contact Revive Rides, the easier it is to secure a pickup slot before the December 31 IRS deadline.
Pick your pickup window before Dec 31
5-10 minutesA Heritage for the Blind towing partner will call to confirm a convenient day and time, Monday–Saturday, at your home, work, or a shop in Greater Boston. Choose a date on or before December 31 so your donation qualifies for this tax year’s deduction.
Prepare your keys and title
10-15 minutesRemove personal items, locate your title, and have your keys ready. No inspection, emissions test, or repairs are required. Non-running vehicles are fine. Just be ready when the tow truck arrives anywhere in the Boston area so pickup is completed by year-end.
Complete pickup and lock in the tax year
15-20 minutesWhen the tow driver arrives, you’ll sign the necessary documents and hand over the title (where required). The moment your vehicle is picked up on or before December 31 in Greater Boston, your car donation is locked in for this tax year’s deduction.
Receive your written acknowledgment and tax forms
After vehicle saleHeritage for the Blind will mail you a written acknowledgment, and for vehicles sold for more than $500, IRS Form 1098-C after the car sells. Even if the form arrives next year, your deduction still applies to the tax year in which the pickup occurred.
Year-end tax deduction facts
IRS donation date = pickup date
The IRS uses the actual pickup date as your official donation date. If your car is towed away on or before December 31, it counts for this tax year—even if you scheduled the donation earlier or receive your paperwork later.
December 31 controls which tax year
To claim your deduction on this year’s return, your vehicle must be physically picked up by December 31. A form submission or phone call by that date is not enough. Schedule your Greater Boston pickup several days early to avoid last-minute delays.
Form 1098-C for vehicles over $500
If Heritage for the Blind sells your donated vehicle for more than $500, you’ll receive IRS Form 1098-C. This form shows the gross sale price, which generally limits the amount you can deduct when you itemize on Schedule A of your federal tax return.
You usually deduct the sale price
For most vehicle donations, the IRS allows you to deduct the amount the charity receives from selling your car, not the Kelley Blue Book value. Your written acknowledgment or Form 1098-C from Heritage for the Blind will show the amount you can typically claim.
You must itemize on Schedule A
To benefit from a car donation tax deduction, you need to itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal return. If you take the standard deduction, you won’t claim an additional write-off for your vehicle, even with a valid Form 1098-C.