In New Jersey, the IRS looks at the pickup date as your official donation date. That means if Revive the Ride, benefiting Heritage for the Blind, picks up your vehicle on or before December 31, your car donation counts for this year’s tax deduction—even if the vehicle is sold next year. It takes about two minutes to start: complete the secure online form or call, schedule your free tow, sign the title at pickup, and you’re done. We’ll mail your written acknowledgment or Form 1098‑C within 30 days of the sale.
Revive the Ride arranges fast, free pickup across New Jersey—Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Edison, Woodbridge, Trenton, Camden, Cherry Hill, Toms River, the Shore, and beyond. Same‑day or next‑business‑day towing is available in most metro areas, including North Jersey (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic), Central Jersey (Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth), and South Jersey (Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic). Your car doesn’t need to run, pass inspection, or have current registration. You get a potential tax deduction; Heritage for the Blind receives vital funding for services to people who are blind or visually impaired. If you’re ready to lock in your deduction, start your donation now before December 31 slots fill up.
Your year-end donation timeline
Start your donation in 2 minutes
2 minutesComplete Revive the Ride’s quick online form with your contact info, vehicle details, and preferred pickup times, or call to donate by phone. No emissions, inspection, or registration required. This step simply gets your New Jersey pickup into the system before year‑end.
Get a callback to lock in pickup
Within 1–2 business hoursA donation coordinator for Revive the Ride, benefiting Heritage for the Blind, calls you back within 1–2 business hours on weekdays to confirm details and schedule your free tow. In December, answering this call quickly helps you secure one of the last December 31 pickup slots in your NJ area.
Schedule free New Jersey tow
Same day or next business day in most metrosYou choose the earliest convenient pickup date. In most New Jersey metro areas, we can dispatch a licensed tow truck the same day or next business day, Monday–Saturday. As long as your pickup is scheduled for on or before December 31, you can still lock in this year’s deduction if the truck arrives that day.
Tow truck arrives and title is signed
15–30 minutes at pickupThe towing provider meets you at the address you choose—home, workplace, or a New Jersey repair shop. You hand over the keys (if available) and sign the title. The physical pickup date is the IRS donation date that determines which tax year your deduction applies to.
Vehicle sold and tax paperwork mailed
Within 30 days of saleRevive the Ride arranges for the vehicle to be sold, and the proceeds benefit Heritage for the Blind. Within 30 days of the sale, you’ll receive your written acknowledgment or IRS Form 1098‑C in the mail. You’ll use this document when you file your federal return and itemize deductions.
Year-end tax deduction facts
Pickup date sets the tax year
For car donations, the IRS uses the date your vehicle is actually picked up as the donation date—not the later sale date. A New Jersey pickup completed by December 31 generally counts toward this year’s federal tax deduction.
Form 1098‑C for larger deductions
If your donated vehicle is sold for more than the IRS threshold, you’ll receive Form 1098‑C from Heritage for the Blind. This form shows the gross sale price, which is typically the maximum you may claim if you itemize deductions on Schedule A.
Written acknowledgment arrives within 30 days
Once your car is sold, Revive the Ride ensures a written acknowledgment or Form 1098‑C is mailed within 30 days of the sale. Keep this with your tax records; your tax preparer will use it when completing your return.
Itemizing on Schedule A
To take a federal tax deduction for your New Jersey car donation, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction. The deduction amount is based on the sale price or qualifying exception rules.
Non‑running and unregistered cars still qualify
Your car does not need to run, pass New Jersey inspection, or have current registration to be accepted. As long as you have proper ownership paperwork to transfer title, the IRS treats it as a qualified vehicle donation.