Goodwill Donation Value Guide (2025 IRS-Friendly Estimates)

Not tax advice. This article is general educational information. For advice about your situation, talk with a qualified tax professional. IRS rules can change, and your facts matter.

Goodwill Donation Value Guide (2025 IRS-Friendly Estimates)

Goodwill is one of the most common donation destinations in the U.S., which means people often search “Goodwill donation values” right when they’re trying to finish taxes.

A key point up front: Goodwill typically provides a receipt, but you are responsible for determining fair market value. Many Goodwill pages also state they don’t set a value for your donation.

This guide gives you a practical method for valuing common Goodwill donation categories and keeping records that hold up.

What Goodwill receipts usually do (and don’t) do

Receipts typically confirm:

• the organization name
• the date
• that you made a donation

Receipts often do not list item values. That’s normal. FMV is the donor’s responsibility.

IRS basics that apply here

Fair market value (FMV) in one sentence

The IRS generally describes fair market value (FMV) as the price property would sell for on the open market—a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither forced to act, and both with reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts. (See IRS Pub. 561.)
Source: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p561.pdf

What FMV is not

• What you originally paid
• What it would cost to buy a brand-new replacement
• The “highest price you can find online”
• A hopeful number based on sentimental value

A conservative FMV mindset (practical)

If you’re unsure, the safest default is often to choose a reasonable, defensible value that matches condition, age, and typical resale demand. That means:

• Prefer actual sold similar items (“comparables”) over active listings
• Adjust down for wear, missing parts, stains, and outdated models
• Document why your value is reasonable (simple notes are fine)

“Good used condition” rule matters for Goodwill donations

The IRS generally requires clothing and household items to be in good used condition or better. (Pub. 561.)
Source: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p561

If you donate worn-out items, treat them as non-deductible.

Typical conservative FMV ranges for common Goodwill categories (examples)

Clothing (per item)

• T-shirts: $1–$4
• Shirts: $2–$8
• Jeans: $4–$12
• Coats: $10–$60
• Shoes: $5–$30

Household goods

• Small table: $20–$80
• Dining chair: $10–$40
• Dresser: $30–$150
• Lamps: $5–$30
• Kitchen bundle (pots/pans/utensils): $25–$125

Electronics

• Older TV: $20–$150
• Printer: $10–$80
• Older laptop: $30–$250

Pick values based on condition and completeness. If you’re uncertain, choose mid-to-low.

How to document a Goodwill trip properly

A simple, defensible Goodwill entry includes:

• “Goodwill donation, 03/15/2025”
• Item list with quantities (or grouped bundles)
• Condition notes (short)
• FMV method (value guide range or sold comps)
• Receipt attached

Recordkeeping that reduces stress later

For charitable deductions, the IRS focuses on substantiation—proof you made the gift and a reasonable basis for the amount you claimed. A practical system includes:

• Date of donation
• Donee/charity name (and location if helpful)
• Description of what you gave (specific beats vague)
• FMV method (value guide range, sold comparables, appraisal when required)
• Receipt or written acknowledgment when required

For $250 or more, you generally need a contemporaneous written acknowledgment from the charity with specific details (see IRS pages and Pub. 526).
Source: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/charitable-organizations-substantiation-and-disclosure-requirements

The $250 written acknowledgment rule (the one most people miss)

If you claim a deduction of $250 or more for a contribution, you generally need a contemporaneous written acknowledgment from the organization (or certain payroll deduction records). Pub. 526 explains what it must include and when it’s “contemporaneous.”
Source: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf

Grouping vs listing: what’s reasonable

If you drop off a carload, listing every spoon is unnecessary. But avoid vague entries.

Good grouping example:

• “Men’s clothing: jeans (5), shirts (10), sweaters (3), good condition”
• “Kitchen goods: pots (2), pans (3), utensils (30), good condition”
• “Electronics: printer (1), monitor (1), cables (bundle), working, fair condition”

Bad grouping example:

• “3 bags of stuff, $400”

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using retail replacement prices
• Claiming values for broken/unusable items
• No notes for unusually high values
• Missing written acknowledgment for $250+ contributions

Next reads

• Clothing values: Clothing Donation Value Guide
• Household goods: Household Goods Donation Values
• Non-cash rules: IRS Non Cash Donation Rules
• Audit-safe system: Keeping Audit-Safe Records