bookseller donating unsold books to Goodwill

[Ftprntz]

We sell used books online, and we donate books that don't sell to Goodwill. We haven't been getting receipts from Goodwill, but I can make a list of which books we donated. What's the maximum amount that I can put down as a donation if I don't have the Goodwill receipt? In the future, are there any special rules for donating to Goodwill? If I donate 20 books and put the donation amount as $40, and then put that on the receipt they give me, is that good enough?

[Bsch4477]

Goodwill will not normally put a value on donations. Deducting $2.00 per book seems reasonable. 

[CatinaT1 · Accepted solution]

You need to have a receipt (or a letter or other written communication such as an email) from the qualified organization showing the name of the organization, and the date of the contribution.

Many times you place a value on your donation. This is a good place to start to determine value: Publication 561: Determining the Value of Donated Property

Additonal information: Charitable Contributions