Donate your car in North Dakota by 11:59 p.m. on December 31, and you may claim the deduction on this year’s federal return if you itemize. With Drive for Good, your deduction is based on the actual sale price of your vehicle, not Kelley Blue Book. When your donated car sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind (a 501(c)(3), EIN 58-2164446) mails you IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale, showing the gross proceeds you can claim on Schedule A. If it sells for $500 or less, you’ll receive a written acknowledgment you can use to deduct up to $500 or the fair market value, whichever is lower.
We make it simple for donors across North Dakota—from Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead commuters, and Grand Forks, to Bismarck–Mandan, Minot, Williston, Dickinson, Jamestown, and smaller towns like Devils Lake and Wahpeton. There’s no inspection, no repairs, and non-running cars are welcome. Just complete our 2-minute online form or call, keep your pickup confirmation as proof of the donation date, and we’ll arrange free towing in most areas Monday through Saturday. Heritage for the Blind uses the proceeds to support people who are blind or visually impaired. For specific tax advice about your situation, always consult a qualified tax professional.
Your year-end donation timeline
Donate by December 31 to lock in this year’s deduction
2 minutesComplete our fast online form or call Drive for Good before midnight December 31 from anywhere in North Dakota. Your donation date is the pickup assignment date, so keep your confirmation email as proof for your records and tax preparer.
Schedule free pickup anywhere in North Dakota
5 minutesOur towing partners operate across Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, Williston, Dickinson, and rural areas. Choose a convenient day, Monday–Saturday. The driver will provide a pickup slip—keep this as documentation of when your vehicle was donated.
We sell your vehicle and track the gross proceeds
Varies by saleAfter pickup, Drive for Good manages everything: transportation, sale, and reporting. You don’t negotiate a price or deal with buyers. We obtain the final gross sale price that the IRS requires and apply the correct documentation rules based on that amount.
Receive IRS Form 1098-C or written acknowledgment
Within 30 days of saleIf your vehicle sells for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind mails you IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale. If it’s $500 or less, you receive a written acknowledgment you can use to claim up to $500 or fair market value, whichever is lower.
Claim your deduction when you file your return
At tax timeGive your tax preparer your 1098-C or acknowledgment plus your pickup confirmation. If you itemize deductions on Schedule A, you may claim the allowable amount for the year in which you donated—provided the donation date was on or before December 31.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Deduction equals actual sale price over $500
For vehicles that sell for more than $500, the IRS generally limits your deduction to the actual gross sale proceeds shown on Form 1098-C—not Kelley Blue Book or an estimate. This amount is what you may claim on Schedule A when you itemize.
Special rule for vehicles at $500 or below
If your donated vehicle sells for $500 or less, you can usually deduct the smaller of $500 or the vehicle’s fair market value. You’ll receive a written acknowledgment from Heritage for the Blind to support your deduction instead of Form 1098-C.
You must itemize on Schedule A
Car donations are charitable contributions. To benefit from the deduction, you must file Form 1040 and itemize your deductions on Schedule A. If you take the standard deduction, you typically cannot claim an additional write-off for your car donation.
Form 1098-C mailed within 30 days of sale
After your vehicle is sold, Heritage for the Blind mails IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days if the sale price is over $500. Keep this form with your tax records; it shows the exact amount the IRS allows you to claim for the vehicle donation.
Donate by Dec 31 to count for this tax year
The deduction applies to the year in which you donate the vehicle, not when it sells. As long as your donation is completed by December 31, you may claim it on that year’s return, even if the sale and 1098-C arrive early the next year.