GOODWILL INDUSTRIES
Each year from Dec. 26-31, the number of donations at Goodwill Donation Express centers rises dramatically.
In 2015, donations on these six days rose by more than 50 percent compared to other days of the year.
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee depends on this surge of donations â as well as other donations given throughout the year â to fund its mission of changing lives through education, training and employment. But donors who want to beat the year-end rush can help their communities and themselves by donating gently-used clothing and household goods to Goodwill before Christmas.
The end-of- year donation rush is prompted in part by people cleaning out their closets, attics and garages to make room for holiday gifts. But many donors also are seeking last-minute tax deductions.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when donating to Goodwill:
â Prepare an inventory of your items to be donated before going to Goodwill. The IRS allows a deduction for each item, but it is up to the donor to estimate each itemâs value.
â When de-cluttering your home, consider the One-Year Rule: If you havenât worn it, used it or played it in one year, it is probably time to donate it.
â Donors wishing to claim tax deductions for their donations can easily do so at mygoodwilldonation.org, or they can request a paper receipt from the attendant when dropping off their donations.
â Please remove hangers from clothing.
â If you have a single donation worth more than $500, you will need to complete IRS Form 8283. You will also need a qualified written appraisal.
â Be certain you are donating to a legitimate charity. Resources for research include the Tennessee Secretary of Stateâs Office and charity-rating agencies such as GuideStar.
There are more than 70 Donations Express Centers located throughout the 48-county territory, and most are open seven days a week. Locations and hours can be found online at www.giveit2goodwill.org, under the âDonateâ tab.
