How to Get a Tax Deduction for Your Clothing and Furniture Donations in the San Gabriel Valley
Donating to a thrift store can reduce your tax bill — but only if the organization is IRS-qualified and you have the right documentation. A lot of people leave this deduction on the table simply because they don't know how it works.
Here's a straightforward breakdown of how clothing and household donations become tax deductions, what records you need, and how donating to ACTS Thrift Store qualifies.
Does Donating to a Thrift Store Count as a Tax Deduction?
Yes — but only if the organization is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. Goodwill qualifies. The Salvation Army qualifies. ACTS Thrift Store qualifies.
ACTS (All Out Caring Inc.) is a Christian, faith-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our tax ID number is 27-1327185. Every donation you make to ACTS is tax-deductible, and we provide a written receipt at the time of drop-off or pickup.
Donating to a for-profit resale shop, a neighborhood Facebook group, or a for-profit consignment store does not qualify for a deduction — even if it feels charitable. The 501(c)3 status is what matters.
What You Can Deduct
The IRS allows you to deduct the fair market value of donated items — meaning what a willing buyer would pay for them at a thrift store, not what you originally paid.
Clothing and shoes: A gently used shirt might be valued at $3–$8. A good-condition jacket might be $10–$25. The IRS doesn't set specific values, but the Salvation Army and Goodwill publish valuation guides that are widely accepted — you can use those as reference.
Household goods and furniture: Used furniture in good condition can be valued significantly higher. A sofa might be worth $50–$200 as a deduction. A dresser, $25–$100. You determine the value — just keep it honest and defensible.
Electronics: Computers, phones, and small electronics are generally valued at a fraction of their original cost depending on age and condition.
The key rule: items must be in good or better condition to be deductible. The IRS does not allow deductions for items in poor condition.
What Documentation You Need
For donations under $250, a written receipt from ACTS is sufficient. Our staff provides one at every drop-off. Pickup drivers leave a receipt on-site.
For donations totaling $250 or more in a single donation, the IRS requires a written acknowledgment from the organization — not just a receipt. ACTS provides this.
For non-cash donations totaling more than $500 in a year, you'll need to file IRS Form 8283 with your return and attach it to your documentation.
For single items or groups of similar items valued at more than $5,000, a qualified appraisal is required.
Most regular donation trips — a bag of clothes, a box of household items, or a piece of furniture — fall well below the $500 threshold and require nothing more than your ACTS receipt plus your own valuation record.
How to Track It
Keep it simple. Every time you donate to ACTS, note the following:
Date of donation
List of items and their estimated fair market value
Your ACTS receipt (donation date, location, and staff signature)
A running Google Doc or a photo of your receipt works fine. At tax time, total your donations for the year and claim them as a charitable contribution on Schedule A (if you itemize).
The Honest Truth About Itemizing
The standard deduction is currently high enough that most individual filers don't benefit from itemizing. If your total deductions — mortgage interest, charitable contributions, state taxes — don't exceed the standard deduction for your filing status, you won't see a tax benefit from individual donation receipts.
That said, households that do itemize, small business owners, and those who donate regularly throughout the year often find that charitable deductions add up meaningfully. If you're unsure, ask your tax preparer whether itemizing makes sense for your situation.
Even if the tax benefit doesn't apply to you — donating to ACTS still puts your items in the hands of neighbors who need them, and puts every dollar of profit back into local community programs.
Schedule a Free Pickup or Drop Off Today
ACTS accepts donations seven days a week at all three San Gabriel Valley locations, and offers free pickup for furniture and large items throughout Southern California.
Pasadena — 1311 N Altadena Dr · (626) 577-4477
Pomona — 232 E Foothill Blvd · (909) 491-3199
Duarte — 2215 E Huntington Dr · (626) 605-2914
Schedule a free pickup at actsthrift.org/donate-now.
This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for guidance on your specific situation.
