Valuation Guide For Tax-Deductable Donations

According to United States tax regulations, if you itemize, you’re allowed to take the fair market value for all items that you donate to a tax-exempt organization. People tend to drastically underestimate what their donated items are worth. “Fair market value” means the price a buyer would be willing to pay for each item. Would they buy your pants at a thrift store for fifty cents? No, they’ll probably be paying $7.00. You’re entitled to that whole deduction.

When you drop off your donation, get a receipt in return. Some shops will make you list the items on the receipt while you’re there, so you may want to bring a written summary of your donation if it’s not short and easy to remember.

The following list is a good starting place for establishing values for your donations. Remember, the better the condition of your items, the greater their value.

Adult Clothing

Belt — $2.50 to $8.00
Blouse –$2.50 to $12.00
Bathrobe — $2.50 to $12.00
Boots — $1.00 to $3.00
Bra — $1.00 to $3.00
Bathing Suit — $4.00 to $12.00
Coat — $15.00 to $60.00
Dress — $4.00 to $19.00
Fur Hat — $7.00 to $15.00
Fur Coat — $25.00 to $400.00
Foundation Garment — $3.00 to $8.00
Handbag — $2.00 to $20.00
Hat — $1.00 to $8.00
Jacket-Women’s — $4.00 to $12.00
Jacket-Men’s — $7.50 to $25.00
Jeans-Levi’s — $7.00 to $32.00
Jeans-non-Levi’s — $6.00 to $11.00
Nightgown — $4.00 to $12.00
Overcoat — $15.00 to $60.00
Pajamas — $2.00 to $8.00
Pant Suit — $6.50 to $25.00
Pants — $3.50 to $10.00
Raincoat — $5.00 to $20.00
Socks, pair — $0.40 to $1.25
Suit-Women’s — $4.00 to $12.00
Suit-Men’s — $15.00 to $60.00
Shirt — $2.50 to $12.00
Shoes, pair — $2.00 to $25.00
Shorts — $3.50 to $10.00
Skirt — $3.00 to $8.00
Sweater — $2.50 to $15.00
Swim Trunks — $2.50 to $8.00
Slip — $1.00 to $6.00
Slacks — $5.00 to $12.00
T-shirt — $1.00 to $5.00
Tie — $2.50 to $8.00
Tuxedo — $10.00 to $60.00
Undershirt — $1.00 to $3.00
Underwear-Men’s — $1.00 to $3.00

Children’s Clothing

Blouse — $2.00 to $8.00
Boots, pair — $3.00 to $20.00
Dress — $3.50 to $12.00
Jacket — $3.00 to $25.00
Jeans — $3.50 to $12.00
Onesie — $1.00 to $3.00
Pants — $2.50 to $8.00
Snowsuit — $2.00 to $12.00
Shoes, pair — $2.50 to $8.75
Skirt — $1.50 to $6.00
Sweater — $2.50 to $8.00
Shirt — $2.00 to $6.00
Socks, pair — $0.50 to $1.50
T-shirt — $1.00 to $3.00
Underwear — $1.00 to $3.50

Housewares

Blanket — $2.50 to $8.00
Bedspread — $3.00 to $24.00
Chair Covers — $15.00 to $35.00
Curtain — $1.50 to $12.00
Drapes, set — $6.50 to $40.00
Glass/Mug — $1.00 to $2.00
Lamp — $7.50 to $40.00
Pillow — $2.00 to $8.00
Plate/Platter — $1.00 to $50.00
Pot/Pan — $1.00 to $35.00
Throw Rug — $1.50 to $12.00
Towel — $0.50 to $4.00

Furniture

Air Conditioner — $20.00 to $90.00
Bar Stool — $12.00 to $24.00
Bed, double, frame and headboard — $50.00 to $170.00
Bed, folding — $20.00 to $60.00
Bed, single, frame and headboard –$35.00 to $100.00
Bedroom Set, complete — $250.00 to $1,000.00
Chair, upholstered — $30.00 to $90.00
Chest — $25.00 to $95.00
China Cabinet — $85.00 to $300.00
Coffee Table — $15.00 to $65.00
Convertible Sofa, with mattress — $25.00 to $100.00
Crib, with mattress* — $5.00 to $100.00
Desk — $25.00 to $140.00
Dresser — $20.00 to $100.00
Dresser, with mirror — $25.00 to $100.00
End Tables, set of two — $10.00 to $50.00
High Chair* — $10.00 to $50.00
Hi Riser — $35.00 to $75.00
Kitchen Cabinets — $25.00 to $75.00
Kitchen Chair — $2.50 to $10.00
Kitchen Set/Dinette Set — $25.00 to $170.00
Loveseat — $30.00 to $200.00
Secretary — $50.00 to $140.00
Sofa — $35.00 to $200.00
Trunk — $5.00 to $70.00
Wardrobe — $20.00 to $100.00

Sporting Goods

Bicycle — $15.00 to $65.00
Fishing Rod — $6.00 to $30.00
Golf Club, one — $2.00 to $6.00
Skates, pair, ice or roller — $12.00 to $48.00
Skis, pair — $18.00 to $120.00
Sled — $16.00 to $24.00
Tennis Racket — $6.00 to $48.00
Toboggan — $18.00 to $108.00

Other

Book, children’s paperback — $0.50 to $1.00
Book, adult paperback — $1.00 to $3.00
Book, children’s hard cover — $1.00 to $3.00
Book, adult hard cover — $1.00 to $5.00
Carriage — $5.00 to $100.00
Christmas Tree* — $18.00 to $60.00
Computer Monitor, working — $30.00 to $60.00
Dryer, working* — $45.00 to $90.00
Heater, working — $7.50 to $22.00
Luggage — $5.00 to $30.00
Mattress, Double* — $12.50 to $75.00
Mattress, Single* — $15.00 to $35.00
Mixer, working — $6.00 to $24.00
Organ Console — $90.00 to $240.00
Piano — $90.00 to $240.00
Pictures, Painting — $2.00 to $25.00
Ping Pong Table — $10.00 to $30.00
Playpen/Playyard* — $3.75 to $30.00
Pool Table — $24.00 to $90.00
Printer, working — $45.00 to $60.00
Radio — $7.50 to $50.00
Refrigerator, working* — $15.00 to $250.00
Rug — $20.00 to $90.00
Sewing Machine, working — $18.00 to $90.00
Stove, Gas, working* — $40.00 to $90.00
Stove, Electric, working* — $90.00 to $180.00
Stereo, all components — $25.00 to $100.00
Television, b/w, working — $25.00 to $60.00
Television, color, working — $75.00 to $250.00
Toaster Oven, working — $18.00 to $30.00
Vacuum Cleaner, working — $24.00 to $72.00
Washing machine, working* — $27.50 to $150.00
Wig — $6.00 to $30.00

* Note: due to safety concerns, many thrift stores do not take children’s furniture. They may also not accept large utility items or mattresses, or items out of season. When in doubt, call ahead to see if they will accept your donation.

Sources: Salvation Army and Christian Family Care Agency