topic Valuation of donated items in Deductions & credits

Valuation of donated items

install4you — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 01:36:51 GMT

I donated used china to a 501 c 3 charity. This long-discontinued china is sold on Ebay, Replacements.com, and other sites. Can I use the Ebay or Replacements.com prices to represent the fair market value. Those prices are a lot higher than typical suggested FMV's. I gave 12 6-piece place settings and several serving pieces.

Re: Valuation of donated items

Mike9241 — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 01:56:16 GMT

it depends on their condition

Contributions of clothing and household items.

A deduction for these contributions will be allowed only if the items are in good used condition or better.
However, this rule doesn't apply to a contribution of any single item for which a deduction of more than $500 is
claimed and for which you include a qualified appraisal and Form 8283 with your tax return.

the sites you mention are sellers. their price is probably higher than true market value, you are not selling the items you're donating them.

Re: Valuation of donated items

MaryK4 — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 01:56:46 GMT

Yes, you can use ebay or replscements.com - they are a current marketplace. Keep a copy with the dat with your tax records.

PLEASE NOTE: You can claim a deduction for a contribution of $250 or more only if you have a contemporaneous written acknowledgment of your contribution from the qualified organization. See Contributions of $250 or More.