In Grand Rapids Metro, the IRS rule is clear: your vehicle has to be picked up by December 31 for you to claim a car-donation tax deduction for this year. With River City Rides, pickups run Monday–Saturday all December, including Christmas week. In most metro areas, when you contact us on a weekday before early afternoon, we can schedule same‑day or next‑day towing. To safely secure a December 31 pickup slot, we strongly recommend you call or submit our 2‑minute form by December 27–28. Your car can be running or not; towing is always free.
River City Rides partners with Heritage for the Blind, a registered 501(c)(3), to turn donated vehicles into services for people who are blind or visually impaired. We handle everything for you—from towing in neighborhoods like Eastown, Alger Heights, Creston, and Heritage Hill to suburbs such as Wyoming, Kentwood, Walker, Grandville, and Rockford. All you need is a signed Michigan title and two minutes to start. If you’re in Grand Rapids Metro and want your deduction for this tax year, lock in your pickup now and we’ll work around your holiday schedule.
Your year-end donation timeline
Step 1 – Start in 2 minutes
2 minutesCall River City Rides or fill out our quick online form with your contact info, vehicle details, and where it’s located in the Grand Rapids Metro. It truly takes about two minutes to get the process started and reserve your spot.
Step 2 – Lock in your pickup day
5 minutesOur team confirms your preferred pickup window, including Christmas week. In most Grand Rapids areas we can do same‑day or next‑day towing if you contact us on a weekday before early afternoon. Call by Dec 27–28 to guarantee Dec 31 availability.
Step 3 – Sign your Michigan title
5–10 minutesYou’ll need a properly signed Michigan title before we tow. We’ll walk you through where to sign and what to have ready when the truck arrives at your Grand Rapids home, office, or repair shop. No inspection or repairs are required.
Step 4 – Free tow anywhere in Grand Rapids Metro
15–30 minutes on pickup dayOur professional towing partners arrive Monday–Saturday, even during Christmas week, to pick up your car, truck, SUV, or van—running or not—at no cost to you. We serve Grand Rapids neighborhoods and nearby communities across Kent County and beyond.
Step 5 – Receive your tax receipt
Within 30 days of saleAfter your donated vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind mails you an IRS‑compliant tax receipt, usually within 30 days of the sale date. Keep this receipt with your tax records to support your deduction for this tax year.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Dec 31 controls which tax year
For vehicle donations, the IRS uses the date of contribution—when the charity takes possession. That means your car must be picked up by December 31 for the deduction to apply to this tax year’s return.
Form 1098-C for larger deductions
If your vehicle is sold for more than the IRS threshold, Heritage for the Blind will issue IRS Form 1098‑C. This form shows the gross sale price, which you or your tax professional will use to support your itemized deduction.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, your allowable deduction is the amount the charity receives when your vehicle is sold, not the Kelley Blue Book value. Your receipt will list this sale price so you can document the deduction if you itemize on Schedule A.
30-day written acknowledgment
The IRS requires that you receive written acknowledgment—usually within 30 days of the sale or contribution. Heritage for the Blind sends you this receipt so you have everything you need for your records and potential IRS documentation.
Itemizing on Schedule A
To use a car donation as a tax deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal return. If you don’t itemize, the donation still supports charity, but you won’t claim a separate vehicle deduction.