What's your Salvation Army donation really worth?
Free 2026 fair market value guide for everything you can drop off at a Salvation Army Family Store — clothing, furniture, appliances, and household goods. Use the tables to fill out your receipt with confidence and maximize your write-off.
Based on IRS Pub 561 and typical Family Store resale prices
The Salvation Army won't value your donation.
You'll get a dated blank receipt — it's on you to itemize the donation and assign a fair market value (FMV) to each item. The tables below give you defensible ranges grounded in actual Family Store resale prices.
Good condition or better
The IRS won't let you deduct stained, torn, or non-working items.
Document at drop-off
Dated receipt, photos of the load, and a written itemized list.
Clothing & accessories
Designer, vintage, formal, and outerwear can be worth significantly more.
| Item | Low | High | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's shirt | $3 | $12 | $5 |
| Women's blouse | $3 | $12 | $5 |
| T-shirt | $2 | $8 | $4 |
| Sweater | $5 | $15 | $8 |
| Jeans / pants | $4 | $20 | $8 |
| Skirt | $4 | $15 | $8 |
| Dress | $6 | $30 | $12 |
| Suit / blazer | $10 | $60 | $25 |
| Winter coat / jacket | $10 | $60 | $25 |
| Light jacket | $5 | $25 | $12 |
| Shoes (pair) | $3 | $30 | $10 |
| Boots | $5 | $40 | $15 |
| Handbag / purse | $3 | $40 | $10 |
| Children's clothing (per item) | $2 | $10 | $4 |
Furniture
Solid-wood and mid-century pieces lean higher; particleboard pieces lean lower.
| Item | Low | High | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sofa / couch | $40 | $400 | $120 |
| Loveseat | $30 | $300 | $80 |
| Armchair / recliner | $15 | $150 | $50 |
| Dining table | $30 | $300 | $100 |
| Dining chair (each) | $5 | $40 | $15 |
| Bed frame | $25 | $250 | $80 |
| Mattress (with tag) | $25 | $150 | $60 |
| Dresser / chest of drawers | $25 | $200 | $70 |
| Nightstand | $10 | $60 | $25 |
| Bookcase | $15 | $100 | $40 |
| Coffee / end table | $10 | $80 | $25 |
| Office desk | $15 | $150 | $50 |
| Office chair | $10 | $80 | $25 |
Appliances & electronics
Anything that doesn't power on can't be deducted.
| Item | Low | High | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microwave | $10 | $50 | $20 |
| Coffee maker | $5 | $40 | $15 |
| Toaster / blender | $3 | $25 | $10 |
| Vacuum cleaner | $15 | $100 | $35 |
| Fan / space heater | $5 | $40 | $15 |
| TV (working flat-screen) | $50 | $300 | $100 |
| Laptop computer | $50 | $400 | $150 |
| Stereo / speaker | $15 | $150 | $45 |
Household goods & linens
Group small kitchen items into category lots for simpler reporting.
| Item | Low | High | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curtains / drapes (pair) | $5 | $40 | $15 |
| Bed linens (set) | $5 | $30 | $12 |
| Towel (each) | $1 | $5 | $2 |
| Lamp | $5 | $50 | $15 |
| Cookware (each) | $2 | $20 | $6 |
| Dishes (per set of 4) | $3 | $25 | $10 |
| Picture frame / wall art | $2 | $30 | $8 |
| Rug (small / medium) | $10 | $100 | $30 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much can I deduct for Salvation Army donations?
- The fair market value of each donated item, in good condition or better. Use the tables above as your starting point. Total your itemized list and claim it on Schedule A (if you itemize). You'll need a dated receipt and, if your total non-cash donations exceed $500, Form 8283.
- Does the Salvation Army give you a receipt?
- Yes — a blank, dated receipt at drop-off. You fill in the items and FMVs.
- Is the Salvation Army a 501(c)(3)?
- Yes. Donations are tax-deductible when you itemize.
- Do I need Form 8283?
- If total non-cash donations for the year exceed $500. Single items over $5,000 also require a qualified appraisal. Use our Form 8283 generator.
- What does the Salvation Army accept?
- Clothing, shoes, books, small appliances, working electronics, furniture (sofas, tables, beds, dressers), housewares, and toys — in good condition. Most locations don't take mattresses without a sanitization tag, hazardous materials, recalled items, or major appliances. Call your local Family Store first.
Track Salvation Army donations automatically
Snap a photo at drop-off and Deductible.me returns a fair market value, stores the receipt, and prepares your Form 8283 at tax time. Free for most households.
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