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It's just after Christmas. You may find yourself swimming in a pile of yuletide loot. After the presents are unwrapped and the turkey is devoured, you may find that you don't need everything you've been gifted. You can donate those unwanted gifts to charity and help the less fortunate, but you can also boost your own fortune by claiming the donations on your taxes. Donating to charity is a great way to put unwanted goods to use. It decreases landfill growth and cuts down on the need to manufacture new products.
If you donate over $500 in non-cash goods to charity, you will have to fill out the IRS service form 8283. You will also have to know how to properly asses the value of your donations. The good ole' IRS has a form for that as well. All donated products must be in good condition, complete and working.
Here is a rough guide that can help you determine the value of your unwanted Christmas gifts. These values were determined by the Salvation Army.
Women's Clothing
All values in US dollars in a range from low to high
Blouse/Bathrobe 2.50-12
Boots 2-5
Bras 1-3
Bathing Suits 4-12
Coats 10-40
Dresses 4-19
Evening Dresses 10-60
Fur Hats 7-15
Fur Coats 25-400
Foundation Garments 3-8
Handbags 2-20
Hats 1-8
Jackets 4-12
Nightgowns 4-12
Pant Suits 6.5-25
Socks .4-1.25
Suits 6-25
Shoes 2- 25
Skirts 3-8
Sweaters 3.75-15
Slips 1-6
Slacks 3.5-12
Men's Clothing
Jackets 7.5-25
Over coats 15-60
Pajamas 2-8
Pants/Shorts 3.5-10
Raincoats 5-20
Suits 15-60
Slacks 5-12
Shirts 2.5-12
Sweaters 2.50-12
Shoes 3.5-25
Swim Trunks 2.5-8
Tuxedo 10-60
Under shirts 1-3
Under shorts 1-3
Belts /Ties 2.5-8
Children's Clothing
Blouses 2-8
Boots 3-20
Coats 4.5-20
Dresses 3.5-12
Jackets 3-25
Jeans 3.5-12 Pants 2.5-12 Snowsuits 4-19 Shoes 2.5-8.75 Skirts 1.5-6 Sweaters 2.5-8 Slacks 2-8 Shirts 2-6 Socks .5-1.5 Underwear 1-3.5 Dry Goods Blankets 2.5-8 Bedspreads 3-24 Chair Covers 15-35 Curtains 1.5-12 Drapes 6.5-40 Pillows 2-8 Sheets 2-8 Throw Rungs 1.5-12 Towels .5-4 Furniture/Appliances Air Conditioner 20-90 Bar 35-200 Bar Stools 12-24 Double Bed 50-170 Single Bed 35-100 Bedroom Set 250-1000 Chest 25-95 Clothes Closet 15-50 China Cabinet 85-300 Convertible Sofa w/mattress 85-300 Crib w/mattress 25-100 Carriage 5-100 Chair (upholstered) 30-90 Coffee Table 15-65 Dresser w/mirror 20-100 Desk 25-140 Dryer 45-90 Electric Stove 90-180 Set of Two End Tables 10-50 Floor Lamps 7.5-40 Folding Beds 20-60 Gas Stoves 40-90 Heaters 7.5-22 High Chair 10-50 Hi Riser 35-75 Kitchen Set 35-170 Kitchen Cabinets 25-75 Kitchen Chair 2.5-10 Double Mattress 12.5-75 Single Mattress 15-35 Organ Console 90-240 Piano 90-240 Pictures/Paintings 2-25 Ping Pong Table 10-30 Playpens 3.75- 30 Pool Tables 24-90 Record Player (stereo) 20-90 Record Player (components) 25-100 Rugs 20-90 Refrigerator 15-20 Radio 7.5-50 Secretary 50-140 Sofa 35-200 Black and White TV 25-60 Color TV 75-225 Trunk 5-70 Wardrobe 20-100 Washing Machine 27.50-150 Sporting Goods Bicycles 15-65 Fishing Rods 6-30 Skates (Ice or Roller) 12-48 Skis 18-120 Sleds 6-24 Tennis Rackets 6-48 Toboggans 18-108 Miscellaneous Adding Machines 24-90 Christmas Trees 18-60 Broiler Ovens 18-30 Copier 120-240 Home Computer 180-600 Mimeograph Machine 120-240 Mixer 6-24 Mannequins 30-240 Riding Mower 120-300 Mower 12-1200 Power Edger 6-60 Rototiller 30-108 Sewing Machine 18-90 Snow Blower 60-180 Answering Machine 30-90 Typewriter 9-42 Vacuum Cleaner 24-72 Wigs 6-30 To arrange for a Salvation Army truck to come to your house, call 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825).
