topic Donated items, clothing, small items - under $500 in Deductions & credits

Donated items, clothing, small items - under $500

user17707729518 — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 01:31:51 GMT

This is a concern for a LOT of people. PLEASE check me out that this is correct.

We aren't donating houses, a Rembrandt painting or gold. We just donated clothing, household items, building materials, etc.

Give in groups with a group value of less than $500. Keep an itemized list of all items, use an online Goodwill Industries list for a fair value of the items. You can make multiple donations but keep it under $500 per donation and you won't have to fill out an extra form with your IRS taxes. Under $500 should keep you from having to fill out Fair Market Value questions.

I feel the majority of people will fit in this under $500 donations area.

Rules change if you get over $500.

I hope this is verified and that it helps!

Re: Donated items, clothing, small items - under $500

Opus 17 — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:25:48 GMT

The limit is not $500 per non-cash donation, it is a total of $500 for all non-cash donations. But I'm not sure why there would be a concern. Turbotax will automatically prepare form 8283 if your non-cash donations are more than $500, you don't have to do anything extra. And the requirement that you keep receipts and other documentation is exactly the same whether you donate more or less than $500 of total non-cash donations.

If your non-cash donations exceed $5000, you will definitely have additional requirements.

Re: Donated items, clothing, small items - under $500

user17707729518 — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 19:31:39 GMT

I appreciate your words and help. I have been educated!

Should I remove that post so as to not confuse people?

Re: Donated items, clothing, small items - under $500

Opus 17 — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 20:07:23 GMT

No, it's fine. If people find it on a search because they are asking the same question, they will see the same answer.

Cheers.