Where is the best place to donate goods for tax deductible donations?

Question

I am wanting to get rid of a lot of good clothes and unwanted household appliances. What is the amount I get for the items that I donate?

Answer 1

Good Will is a good place. There are numerous charities that will take stuff. The amt of deduction is a touchy thing with the IRS. It has to be what the item is worth now and not what you paid or it.

Answer 2

Both Goodwill and Salvation Army accept donations, and have a list on their websites of typical values for various items - these are values they would typically sell the items for, and that's what you can deduct. You'll need to take an itemized list along when you make your donation, and have them sign it.

You can only deduct the contributions if you itemize rather than taking the standard deduction. The actual tax savings is the used value of what you donate, times your tax bracket. If the used value of the items you donate is $500 and you are in a 15% tax bracket, your tax savings would be $75.

Answer 3

If you donate the items in kind then you can't get tax deductibility for these unless you have them appraised by an appraisal company. Even so, this will be highly questionable on your income tax return.

Sell the items and donate the proceeds for your donation to be tax deductible. Remember to ask for tax deductibility receipt from the organization you donated.

Answer 4

There are dozens of good charities who qualify for allowing you a tax deduction. I believe the amount you can deduct is standard for them all. Pick one you support, such as Heart Association.
The amount may have changed over the years, - it use to be $200. per donation.