About 20 million Americans contributed clothes, computers and
household goods to such organizations as
Goodwill and the Salvation Army last year. Many forgot to get receipts. Others
got receipts, but as they
prepared their tax returns, they underestimated the value of their donations.
The key to putting a dollar amount
on your old stuff is knowing its fair-market value. You can check consignment
shops or eBay to determine fair
prices, Or consult "Cast for Your Used Clothing" (Income Dynamics,
$25) or its companion software program,
"It's Deductible". The authors base their valuations for items in
good (barely used), fair (slightly used) or poor
(heavily used) conditions by shopping hundreds of thrift shops. A
sampling:
|
Condition
|
Good
|
Fair
|
Poor
|
| Hardcover book |
$6
|
$4
|
$.50
|
| Paperback book |
$2
|
$1
|
$.15
|
| Men's pullover sweater |
$24
|
$10
|
$4
|
| Men's designer pullover |
$43
|
$18
|
$12
|
| Women's pantsuit |
$69
|
$40
|
$8
|
| Women's designer pantsuit |
$260
|
$180
|
$40
|
| Boy's ski jacket |
$20
|
$14
|
$7
|
| Girl's dress coat |
$40
|
$22
|
$6
|
| Toddler's snowsuit |
$18
|
$10
|
$6
|
| High chair |
$28
|
$20
|
$4
|
| Car seat |
$48
|
$25
|
$4
|
| Stuffed animal (small) |
$6
|
$5
|
$1
|
| Upright vacuum cleaner |
$34
|
$18
|
$10
|
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