how do we deduct a value of mixed clothing items donated to Goodwill?

Forum|Forum|4 months ago
January 23, 2026
2 replies
6 views

sweaters, coats, assorted shirts, slacks etc.

TurboTax Online

Best answer by Opus 17

Expert Reviewed

You must have an inventory of the items you donated, with sufficient detail to determine the fair market value (i.e. what it was, what condition it was in -- good, fair or poor -- and approximately how much you originally paid). You must also have a receipt from the charity documenting the donation, although it does not have to be specific if you have your own separate inventory.

Determine the fair market value for each item and add it up. Fair market value is what an honest buyer would pay an honest seller for the same or similar items in the same condition. You might use the prices that Goodwill charges in their store for similar items.

In Turbotax, you can enter an Item donation using the instructions from the other expert. You do not have to list every item individually, you can list them as a group ("used clothing" for example) and give your aggregate value.

However, if your total claimed value for any single item or group of similar items is more than $5000, you can't claim a deduction unless you have an appraisal signed by a qualified appraiser, and you need a copy of form 8283 signed by the appraiser and an official from the charity, that you must mail to the IRS.

LindaS5247

Level 14

You can deduct charitable donations such as clothing if you make them to qualified organizations and you itemize your deductions.

Starting with the 2026 tax year, you will be able to deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 for married filing jointly) in cash donations to qualified charities even if you do not itemize. This above-the-line deduction applies to cash, check, or credit card donations but not donated items such as clothing and household goods.

To enter a charitable deduction in TurboTax, you can use the steps that are listed below.

If you are using TurboTax Online you can:

Click on the "Search" button at the top left of your TurboTax screen.
Type "Charitable Deductions" in the search bar
Scroll down until you see "TurboTax Online" and click on the link (in blue) "Donations to Charity"
Select "Yes" to "Did you make any donations to charity in 2025?" And then
Select "Continue"
Click on "Yes, let's enter my donations" And then
Select "Continue"
Enter your "Charity name" and select "Items and stock" and
Select "Continue"
On the screen that says "Tell us about your donated items or stock" select from the drop down menu "Household items and clothing"
Answer all of the follow-up questions and continue through the screen regarding your donation

If you are using TurboTax Desktop, you can:

Click on your search bar at the upper right of your TurboTax screen
Type "Charitable Donations" in the search bar
Click on the link that says "Jump directly to the charitable donations section of TurboTax"
Select "Yes" to "Did you make any donations to charity in 2025?" And then
Select "Continue"
Click on "Yes, let's enter my donations" And then
Select "Continue"
Enter your "Charity name" and select "Items and stock" and
Select "Continue"
On the screen that says "Tell us about your donated items or stock" select from the drop down menu "Household items and clothing"
Answer all of the follow-up questions and continue through the screen regarding your donation

For additional information, you can:

Click here for Donating to Charity & Taxes: An Intro Guide

Click here for Charitable Contributions

Click here for How do I enter my charitable donations in TurboTax?

Click here for Video: Deducting Charitable Contributions

Please return to Community if you have any additional information or questions and we would be happy to help.

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O

Opus 17

Answer

Level 15

Expert Reviewed

You must have an inventory of the items you donated, with sufficient detail to determine the fair market value (i.e. what it was, what condition it was in -- good, fair or poor -- and approximately how much you originally paid). You must also have a receipt from the charity documenting the donation, although it does not have to be specific if you have your own separate inventory.

Determine the fair market value for each item and add it up. Fair market value is what an honest buyer would pay an honest seller for the same or similar items in the same condition. You might use the prices that Goodwill charges in their store for similar items.

In Turbotax, you can enter an Item donation using the instructions from the other expert. You do not have to list every item individually, you can list them as a group ("used clothing" for example) and give your aggregate value.

However, if your total claimed value for any single item or group of similar items is more than $5000, you can't claim a deduction unless you have an appraisal signed by a qualified appraiser, and you need a copy of form 8283 signed by the appraiser and an official from the charity, that you must mail to the IRS.