Donation Tax Deduction Value Calculator
Estimate fair market value of donated items for IRS deductions.
Covers clothing, furniture, and appliances using Salvation Army and Goodwill guidelines.
When you donate clothing, furniture, or household goods to a qualified charitable organization (such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, or a registered 501(c)(3)), you can deduct the fair market value (FMV) of the items on your US federal tax return — provided you itemize deductions.
Core tax value formula: Tax Deduction Value = Fair Market Value of Donated Items Tax Savings = Deduction Value × Your Marginal Tax Rate
Fair Market Value definition: FMV is defined by the IRS as “the price at which property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or sell.” For used goods, this means thrift store resale value, not original purchase price.
What each variable means:
- Fair Market Value — the realistic resale price of a used item in its current condition. Determined by comparing similar items at thrift stores, eBay sold listings, or IRS publication guidelines.
- Marginal Tax Rate — your highest federal income tax bracket (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, or 37%). This determines how much tax your deduction actually saves.
- Condition adjustment — items in poor condition have minimal FMV; items in excellent condition approach thrift store resale values.
IRS-published FMV ranges for common donations:
| Item | Low FMV | High FMV |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s shirt (good condition) | $4 | $9 |
| Men’s suit (good condition) | $25 | $75 |
| Women’s dress | $6 | $28 |
| Shoes (good condition) | $3 | $30 |
| Sofa | $35 | $200 |
| Television (flat screen) | $75 | $225 |
| Computer (laptop, functional) | $150 | $400 |
| Bicycle | $30 | $150 |
Worked example: You donate: 5 shirts ($6 avg), 2 suits ($50 avg), 1 sofa ($100), 1 working laptop ($200).
Total FMV = (5×$6) + (2×$50) + $100 + $200 = $30 + $100 + $100 + $200 = $430
If your marginal tax rate is 22%: Tax Savings = $430 × 0.22 = $94.60
Documentation required: Donations under $250 need a receipt. Donations of $250–$500 need a written acknowledgment. Non-cash donations over $500 require IRS Form 8283. Items valued over $5,000 require a qualified appraisal.