Do I need pictures of items that I donate to Goodwill?

[Critter1]

It is not required however it never hurts especially if they are  large or expensive items.

[jarich]

how do i transfer the is it deductable to this years taxes

[mesquitebean]

jarich
You're posting in a thread from 2 years ago, and your topic is a different one than this thread.  See my answer at the following page on how to import ItsDeductible entries into your 2017 return.

<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4151778">https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4151778</a>

[mesquitebean · Accepted solution]

While photographs are not required, they may come in handy if the IRS were to ever question your donations.   I make photos of my items.  I group 3-4-5 or more items on the table, bed, or car trunk and take a quick photo.  Then I save the digital file on a CD-R or other external device with my other tax files.

Here is a resource for charitable donations that will give you the recordkeeping requirements for both cash and non-cash donations.   The particular requirements vary according to the dollar amount of the donation.

IRS Pub. 526:  Charitable Contributions
https://www.irs.gov/publications/p526/ar02.html

Non-cash Donations:
https://www.irs.gov/publications/p526/ar02.html#en_US_2015_publink1000229839

Cash Donations:
https://www.irs.gov/publications/p526/ar02.html#en_US_2015_publink1000229833

[tliepmann]

My 2010 return was audited for donations to Goodwill, and all I needed was the itemized summary from ItsDeductible to pass the audit.

[SweetieJean]

That's great for prving the values, but it doesn't prove that you actually donated those items.

[noodad]

It's also good for remembering later specifically what you donated. This could help in justifying the values, or could also help if you later truly can't remember if you donated something or where, and if you want that information.

[elsie-g]

I was given everything in a 1600 sq ft home as well as two storage sheds.  The people living there were hoarders and it took 4 months to PHOTOGRAPH every single item and clear the home for resale.  As much work as this was, I'm glad I did photo what was given as I expect to hear from the IRS since the donations to multiple places was so large.

[superlawyer]

What do you consider "so large?" By number of items or the value?

[elsie-g]

Generally by the value; in my situation the total amount of the deduction using It's Deductible was valued at $18,546.00 saving me $4815.00 on my taxes.

[CircularErrors]

I present a written list itemizing items to Charity/PickUp (copy each me/them) with photos and ItsDeductible.  I donate furniture rather than transport when moving long distance so the items are high quality, little or no use and easily recognized in photos as such.

[kharmon]

With the advent of cameras and phone that record high quality video, I have been videotaping my donated items for years now.  I lay everything out on the back of my truck and video tape the items while narrating the quantity, quality, and description of the donated items.  When tax time comes around, I simply play the video on my laptop and write down my donations for input into Its Deductible.

[dan65441]

I went through an audit for two years!  The IRS questioned everything.  When it came to item donations, the examiner asked if I had pictures.  I did not, but I had always written out an itemized list of items to make it easier to put in itsdeductible.  I now lay the items out when I'm making the list and snap a quick photo.  Better to be safe than sorry.

[mesquitebean]

dan65441:
That's scary!   Was that a general compliance type of audit where they look at everything single thing on your return and want evidence?
I'm curious what your examiner thought about using ItsDeductible to value the items.  Did he/she tend to accept the use of ItsDeductible and its values, or did he go by the IRS own values?