The cost/adjusted basis is the amount you originally paid for the donated item.
If the item was inherited, the cost basis is the Fair Market Value (FMV) of the item on the date the person who you inherited from died.
If you donated some bags of clothing to Goodwill, you can estimate what you paid for the items just as you estimate their FMV for the donation value.
So, I have donated 7 16 ft trailer loads of goods from my mothers home - she has been injured and was having to stay at my brothers house - she is a hoarder and in order for her to return home the house had to be cleaned, repaired, etc... I live 3.5 hours from her home and drove approx 366 miles every other weekend plus my time working 3 to 5 days each trip (time away from work). How do I go about calculating a price for the items donated as my expenses did not involve the purchase of materials, but time and travel
You volunteered to clean out your mom's house, while kind, not a charity organization. The items that you took to charity, have a cost basis from your mother. If she said you could have the items, she gifted you the items and her basis. Then when you donated the items, you can take the value of the donations.
About Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, see page 3.
@janetcshaw1