In North Dakota, the IRS rule is simple: your car must be picked up on or before December 31 for you to claim the deduction on this year’s taxes. With Drive for Good, benefiting Heritage for the Blind, that means scheduling a free tow any Monday–Saturday in December—including Christmas week. To guarantee a December 31 pickup slot, call or submit our 2‑minute form by December 27 (28th in larger metro areas). In most cities we can arrange same‑day or next‑day towing when you contact us before early afternoon on weekdays.
We handle free pickups across North Dakota—from Fargo, West Fargo, and Moorhead area suburbs to Bismarck–Mandan, Grand Forks, Minot, Dickinson, Jamestown, and smaller towns across the Red River Valley and the Bakken. Your vehicle doesn’t need to run, and you don’t have to schedule an inspection or repairs. Just have your signed North Dakota title ready, answer a few quick questions, and our team takes care of everything else. You’ll support vital services for people who are blind or visually impaired through Heritage for the Blind (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446) and receive a tax receipt that can help reduce your federal taxes.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesCall Drive for Good or complete the secure online form—it truly takes about two minutes. Tell us your North Dakota location (Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, or anywhere statewide), basic vehicle info, and your preferred pickup day before December 31.
Lock in your year‑end pickup date
5 minutesOur team checks North Dakota tow truck availability and confirms your pickup window. To safely lock in a December 31 tow, contact us by December 27–28. We operate Monday–Saturday all through Christmas week, with same‑ or next‑day options in most metro areas.
Prepare your signed North Dakota title
10 minutesBefore your tow truck arrives, locate and sign your North Dakota vehicle title as instructed. No emissions test, photos, or repairs are needed. The driver will guide you through a quick handoff—even if the car won’t start or has been sitting all winter.
Free towing anywhere in North Dakota
30–60 minutesOn pickup day, the tow driver meets you at home, work, a farm, or storage lot, loads your vehicle, and provides initial paperwork. Towing is always free to you, in any condition, as long as we complete the pickup by December 31 for this year’s tax deduction.
Receive your donation tax receipt
Within 30 days after saleAfter Heritage for the Blind sells your vehicle, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment and, when required, IRS Form 1098‑C. This shows the sale amount, which generally becomes your deductible amount when you itemize on Schedule A.
Year-end tax deduction facts
December 31 is the cutoff
For the IRS, the key date is when your vehicle is actually donated, which in practice means when it’s picked up and signed over. If we tow it by December 31, it counts for this tax year; January 1 or later counts for next year.
Form 1098‑C for larger donations
If your vehicle sells for more than the IRS reporting threshold, Heritage for the Blind issues IRS Form 1098‑C. This form shows details of your donation and sale price and should be filed with your return if your deduction exceeds the specified amount.
Deduction usually equals sale price
In most cases, your charitable deduction is the gross sale price of the vehicle, not a pricing guide estimate. Heritage for the Blind documents the sale, and your receipt or 1098‑C will show the amount you can generally claim when you itemize.
Itemize on Schedule A
To use a car donation as a federal tax deduction, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. Add your vehicle contribution to other charitable gifts and consult your tax preparer about potential savings.
30‑day acknowledgment window
After your vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind sends you a written acknowledgment, usually within 30 days of the sale. Keep this with your tax records; it documents your gift date, vehicle details, and the amount relevant to your deduction.