Donating a dog kennel to our police department. Paid $2,700 and the retail value is $3,200. How much would I get back if I deducted on my taxes as charitable donation?

[Opus 17]

The donation value is the current fair market value, or what you paid, whichever is lower.   The current fair market value takes the condition into account (used?) and is rarely the same as the price you paid.  

Then, the amount of tax you save will be between zero and 32% of the value, depending on your other itemized deductions and your overall income.  We can’t be more specific without knowing your income, other deductions, and filing status.  

[xmasbaby0]

The effect of a charitable donation depends on whether you have enough other itemized deductions to exceed your standard deduction.  Unless your itemized deductions are more than your standard deduction, the donation will have no effect at all.   You cannot deduct more than you paid for it.  For a donation over $500 you need documentation and possibly an appraisal.

Many taxpayers are surprised this year because their itemized deductions are not having the same effect as they did on past tax returns.  The new higher standard deduction and the elimination of certain deductions, as well as the cap on state and local taxes have had a major impact.

Your itemized deductions have to be more than your standard deduction before you will see a change in your tax owed or tax refund.  The deductions you enter do not necessarily count “dollar for dollar;” many of them are subject to meeting  tough thresholds—medical expenses, for example, must meet a threshold that is pretty hard to reach.  The software program uses all the IRS rules that apply to the expenses you enter, and it tells you if you have enough to use your itemized deductions or if using the standard deduction is more advantageous for you.  Under the new tax laws, some deductions have been capped—there is a $10,000 limit to the itemized deductions for state, local, property and sales taxes.

Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income.  It is not a refund 

2018 Standard Deductions:

Single   $12,000  (+ $1600 65 or older)

Married Filing Separately    $12,000  (+ $1300 65 or older)

Married Filing Jointly  $24,000  (+ $1300 each spouse 65 or older)

Head of Household  $18,000  (+ $1600 65 or older)

Look at line 8 of your Form 1040 to see your standard or itemized deductions.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4482873-which-federal-tax-deductions-have-been-suspended-by-tax-re...