Best garage sale 'left-overs' donating tips

It is unlikely you'll be able to sell everything during your yard sale and you'll have the task of deciding what to do with your unsold items. Some of these decisions would have been made as part of your planning before your yard sale. For example, what charities are in your area that will accept or pick-up specific types of items.

Donate, dump or drag back inside

One of the reasons for your garage sale was to get rid of your clutter so you don't really want to drag the left-overs back inside again! Some exceptions are:

The item is a big item, for example a piece of furniture, in which case you would be best to try selling it separately through a classified ad or a consignment store.
Jewelry or collectables to be sold through an online auction site, for example eBay or an appropriate jeweler or collectables store. You should've done your home-work by now and have a good idea of it's worth.
You were only half trying to sell a favorite item. I've had a few items that I have put on a top-dollar price thinking that if I can sell it at that price - great. Otherwise I'm happy to hang on to it and try again in my next garage sale.

If any items are not suitable for donating then it goes straight out to the garbage or to the local dump. Always check your local regulations on what can be disposed of in this way. For example, paints and pesticides may require special treatment.

What NOT to donate

Stained, torn or broken mattresses and bases
Stained, torn or broken soft furnishings, including – Lounge suites, chairs, rugs, mats, curtains etc.
Carpets and underfelt
Broken furniture / Incomplete goods
Recalled or unsafe goods

Where to donate items

If you haven’t already, in the next day or two, contact the following:

your local charity
church
day care centre
school
homeless shelter
youth center
hospital
nursing home

and check:

If they are interested in any of the groups of items you have left. Books may be great donations for a hospital or nursing home.
If the price stickers need to be removed (most likely!).
If they provide a receipt.
They are more likely to accept your donation if you offer to drop the boxes they are interested in around to them.
When is their best day and time for you to drop them off.
If they provide a pick-up service. Go to www.donationtown.org to find a charity that will pick up your donations for free.

Some other places to donate specific items

		Toys can go to Toys For Tots.
		Outer wear that will keep someone warm -- a coat, sweater, jacket, sweatshirt, hats or mittens can go to onewarmcoat.org
		Musical instruments for soldiers deployed overseas can go to Operation Happy Note.
		Desktop computers, notebooks, keyboards, mouses, educational software or anything else related to computers can go to the National Cristina Foundation.
		Books for schools, libraries, churches, nonprofits, and Peace Corps volunteers in over 40 developing countries can go to International Book Project.
		Gently worn shoes can go to Soles4Souls.
		Worn-out sneakers to be recycled into rubber play services can go to Nike's Reuse A Shoe.
		Beds, tables, chairs and other crucial home furnishings can go to the National Furniture Bank Association.
		Cell phones can go to Cell Phones for Soldiers.
		Other items to be matched with local nonprofit wish lists can be registered at Excess Access.
		Other items can go to ReDO.
		Or advertised at Freecycle. For other specific items, do a Google search to find a local agency to donate it to.

Tax benefits

According to the IRS (in the US as at May 2009), donations of goods are deductible if made to qualified organizations. If you live outside the US, you’ll need to check with your Taxation Authorities for your options.

Learn how to get the biggest tax savings when making charitable contributions.

But basically, if your effective tax bracket is 25%, then donating an item valued at $1 by Goodwill will save you 25 cents on taxes.

I'm not giving taxation or financial advice here so you'll need to check with the IRS for that latest rules and requirements. Depending on the value of your donated items, it could be a simple matter of listing the amount on your 1040’s Schedule A and you may need a receipt from the charity.

Clothing and household items donated after August of 2006 must be at least in "good" used condition. I recommend taking a photograph and write a short description and condition of each item in case the IRS wants proof that they were of good condition. Household items include furniture, furnishings, electronics, appliances, and linens.

You can record details of your donations online for free with TurboTax ItsDeductible. If you are also using TurboTax to do you taxes, you can import the values directly at tax time.

A receipt for your items may be obtained in one of three ways

The Salvation Army website says:

If you drop off a donation at a local Salvation Army Family Thrift Store or Corps (worship and community center), the clerk or receptionist will be happy to provide you with a receipt.
If your items are dropped off at an unattended Salvation Army drop-box, an itemized list is required to receive a receipt. Your local Salvation Army Corps or Family Thrift Store can have a receipt made out for you once you bring this list to them. Please itemize your donations with the value next to them to claim them for your taxes. Your tax consultant will be the best resource for advice on how to itemize and submit this information.
If you have your donations picked up, the truck driver will provide you with a receipt.

To estimate the true fair market value of your items

Refer to the IRS Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property. You should also check eBay & Craigslist (if you hadn't when first deciding on prices) to see what the going price is for an item you're donating.

Valuation Guide for Salvation Army Donations

"The Value Guide below will assist you in determining the tax-deductible value of any items you are donating to The Salvation Army. You will see that the table includes low and high estimates of value. Please choose a value within this range that is in keeping with your item's relative age and quality. If you have questions, your local Salvation Army Thrift Store and donation center will be able to assist you."

Appliance Low High

Air Conditioner 20.00 90.00

Dryer 45.00 90.00

Gas Stove 50.00 125.00

Heaters 7.50 22.00

Radio 7.50 50.00

Refrigerator (Working) 15.00 250.00

T.V. (B/W Working) 25.00 60.00

T.V. (Color Working) 75.00 225.00

Washing Machine 27.50 150.00

Children’s Items Low High

Bicycles $15.00 $65.00

Blouses $2.00 $8.00

Boots $3.00 $20.00

Coats $4.50 $20.00

Dresses $3.50 $12.00

Jackets $3.00 $25.0

Jeans $3.50 $12.00

Pants $2.50 $12.00

Shirts $2.00 $6.00

Shoes $2.50 $8.75

Skirts $1.50 $6.00

Slacks $2.00 $8.00

Snowsuits $4.00 $19.00

Socks $0.50 $1.50

Sweaters $2.50 $8.00

Underwear $1.00 $3.50

Dry Goods Low High

Bedspreads $3.00 $24.00

Blankets $2.50 $8.00

Chair Covers $15.00 $35.00

Curtains $1.50 $12.00

Drapes $6.50 $40.00

Pillows $2.00 $8.00

Sheets $2.00 $8.00

Throw Rugs $1.50 $12.00

Towels $0.50 $4.00

Furniture Low High

Bed Complete (double) $50.00 $170.00

Bed Complete (single) $35.00 $100.00

Bedroom Set (complete) $250.00 $1,000.00

Carriage $5.00 $100.00

Chest $25.00 $95.00

China Cabinet $85.00 $300.00

Clothes Closet $15.00 $50.00

Coffee Table $15.00 $65.00

Convertible Sofa (with mattress) $85.00 $300.00

Crib (w/mattress) $25.00 $100.00

Desk $25.00 $140.00

Dining Room Set (complete) $150.00 $900.00

Dresser w/Mirror $20.00 $100.00

End Tables (2) $10.00 $50.00

Floor Lamps $7.50 $40.00

Folding Beds $20.00 $60.00

Hi Riser $35.00 $75.00

High Chair $10.00 $50.00

Kitchen Cabinets $25.00 $75.00

Kitchen Chair $2.50 $10.00

Kitchen Set $35.00 $170.00

Mattress (double) $12.50 $75.00

Mattress (single) $15.00 $35.00

Play-Pen $3.75 $30.00

Rugs $20.00 $90.00

Secretary $50.00 $140.00

Sofa $35.00 $200.00

Trunk $5.00 $70.00

Wardrobe $20.00 $100.00

Men’s Items Low High

Jackets $7.50 $25.00

Over Coats $15.00 $60.00

Pajamas $2.00 $8.00

Pants-shorts $3.50 $10.00

Raincoat $5.00 $20.00

Shirts $2.50 $12.00

Shoes $3.50 $25.00

Slacks $5.00 $12.00

Suits $15.00 $60.00

Sweaters $2.50 $12.00

Swim Trunks $2.50 $8.00

Tuxedo $10.00 $60.00

Under-shirts $1.00 $3.00

Under-shorts $1.00 $3.00

Women’s Items Low High

Bathing Suits $4.00 $12.00

Bathrobes $2.50 $12.00

Blouse $2.50 $12.00

Boots $2.00 $5.00

Bras $1.00 $3.00

Coats $10.00 $40.00

Dresses $4.00 $19.00

Evening Dresses $10.00 $60.00

Foundation Garments $3.00 $8.00

Fur Coats $25.00 $400.00

Fur Hats $7.00 $15.00

Handbags $2.00 $20.00

Hats $1.00 $8.00

Jackets $4.00 $12.00

Nightgowns $4.00 $12.00

Pants Suits $6.50 $25.00

Shoes $2.00 $25.00

Skirts $3.00 $8.00

Slacks $3.50 $12.00

Slips $1.00 $6.00

Socks $0.40 $1.25

Suits $6.00 $25.00

Sweaters $3.75 $15.00

Source: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org 2009