I have donated at least $8,000 worth of property (clothes, bed, fish tanks, etc). Reading the tax law, it states that if I make a donation in a year that is above a certain amount ($5000 or something) that I need to have the charity write me a letter stating that they can sell the goods that were donated.
My question is: since my donations total above $8,000 – do I need the charity to write me a letter, or am I OK since I donated smaller items? (example, not one $500 donation – but 100 small things that are $5)
I have itemized. I have a list of everything, and I am using the ‘It’s Deductible’ program to acquire the ‘fair market value’.
The reason I have so much to donate is due to just being married – so two pack rats merged into one 
Any donations of non-cash items in excess of $500 in one calendar year requires you to itemize the contribution on a separate tax return form. For any contribution, you should have the contribution supported by documentation from the charity of the contribution. If you donate ONE item that is in excess of $5,000, then you need to be able to support the contribution with an appraisal of the value of the item being donated.
In your case, since your $8,000 contribution is a combination of a bunch of small items, you don’t need to provide an independent appraisal. Just declaring the contribution on the non-cash contribution form is sufficient.
March 9th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
i never understood why people give to charity just so they can write it off on their taxes. is it really giving from your heart and pocket if u are getting your money back from the government to your pocket and satisfying your heart for this? I think charity is a great cause and donating is super but i think it is no longer donating if you write it off for taxes. im not being mean i just think people should consider donations as you give to give not give to receive and not just to make one look good. No offense, but think about it.peace 2 all.,
References :
March 9th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Any donations of non-cash items in excess of $500 in one calendar year requires you to itemize the contribution on a separate tax return form. For any contribution, you should have the contribution supported by documentation from the charity of the contribution. If you donate ONE item that is in excess of $5,000, then you need to be able to support the contribution with an appraisal of the value of the item being donated.
In your case, since your $8,000 contribution is a combination of a bunch of small items, you don’t need to provide an independent appraisal. Just declaring the contribution on the non-cash contribution form is sufficient.
References :