In Colorado, the IRS donation date is the day your vehicle is picked up—not the day you fill out the form. If our licensed tow truck collects your car, truck, SUV, or van on or before December 31, your donation counts for this tax year. With Ride to Relief, you can start in about two minutes online or by phone, lock in your pickup, and keep your year-end taxes on track. Most donors in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Aurora, Lakewood, and other metro areas can get same-day or next-business-day towing at no cost.
Ride to Relief benefits Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) serving people who are blind or visually impaired. We coordinate everything: the quick form, the callback to schedule your free pickup, title transfer at your doorstep, and the IRS-required paperwork after sale. Your car does not need to run, pass emissions, or have current registration. From Highlands Ranch and Littleton to Boulder, Greeley, Pueblo, and Grand Junction, our goal is to give Colorado donors the fastest, cleanest path from “I’m ready to donate” to a confirmed year-end tax deduction.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start the 2-minute form or call Ride to Relief
About 2 minutesProvide your basic vehicle and contact info online or by phone with Ride to Relief, benefiting Heritage for the Blind. No inspection, photos, or paperwork uploads required. Once you submit, you’re in the queue for a year-end pickup slot in Colorado—essential as December 31 approaches.
Get a coordinator callback to lock in pickup time
Within 1–2 business hours on weekdaysA donation coordinator calls you back, usually within 1–2 business hours Monday–Friday, to confirm details and schedule your free tow. This is where you choose a pickup window that’s on or before December 31 if you want your deduction to count for this tax year.
Free tow truck arrives at your Colorado address
Same-day or next-business-day in most metrosA licensed tow truck comes to your home, workplace, or lot—at no cost to you. In most Colorado metro areas like Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Aurora, we can arrange same-day or next-business-day pickups, subject to availability, especially close to December 31.
Sign the title at pickup to complete your donation
5–10 minutes at your curbAt pickup, you sign your Colorado title over following state requirements. The driver will walk you through where to sign. Once the vehicle is hooked and the signed title is collected, the donation is complete—and that pickup date becomes your IRS donation date for tax purposes.
Vehicle sale and IRS acknowledgment mailed to you
Within 30 days of saleYour vehicle is transported, processed, and sold. Heritage for the Blind then mails you IRS Form 1098-C or a written acknowledgment within 30 days of the sale. You’ll use this document to support your deduction when you file your federal return and complete Schedule A.
Year-end tax deduction facts
December 31 is the tax-year cutoff
For the IRS, the charitable contribution date is the day the charity (or its agent) takes possession of your vehicle. If your car is picked up on or before December 31, it counts as a donation for that tax year.
Pickup date, not form date, controls
Submitting the form or calling on December 31 is not enough by itself. The key is when the vehicle is actually collected. Lock in a pickup window and ensure the tow truck arrives by December 31 to secure this year’s deduction.
You’ll receive Form 1098-C or acknowledgment
After your car is sold, Heritage for the Blind sends you IRS Form 1098-C or an equivalent written acknowledgment within 30 days of the sale. Keep this with your records to substantiate your charitable vehicle deduction.
Deduction generally equals sale price
In most cases, your allowable federal tax deduction is based on the gross sale price of the vehicle, not a pricing guide estimate. The sale amount will be listed on your 1098-C so you and your tax preparer can report it accurately.
Itemizing required for vehicle deductions
To claim your car donation, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your federal tax return. Consult your tax advisor about whether itemizing and claiming a vehicle donation is advantageous for your specific situation.