For donations to Goodwill without a formal, itemized receipt, you can generally claim the fair market value of clothing and household items, provided you keep your own detailed records (list of items, date, and estimated value). While you do not need a formal receipt for donations under $250, having documentation is recommended. For total deductions over $500, you must file Form 8283.
You can deduct the fair market value of your Goodwill donations, but you must itemize deductions and keep records, with specific IRS forms (Form 8283) required for non-cash contributions over $500, including appraisals for single items or groups exceeding $5,000. Keep detailed lists and receipts, as the IRS requires you to determine the value (what a willing buyer would pay) for gently used items in good condition or better, with Goodwill not allowed to assess value for you.
Record requirements for cash charitable donations depend on the value of the charitable donation. Under $250: A cash donation under $250 to a qualified charitable organization (not any small business) is one of the few charitable donations without receipt that's allowable by the IRS.
For any contribution of $250 or more (including contributions of cash or property), you must obtain and keep in your records a contemporaneous written acknowledgment from the qualified organization indicating the amount of the cash and a description of any property other than cash contributed.
The $500 threshold for noncash donations means you must file IRS Form 8283, "Noncash Charitable Contributions," if your deduction for a single item or group of similar items exceeds $500 but is under $5,000, requiring details like acquisition, cost, and fair market value. For donations over $5,000, you need a qualified appraisal, and for vehicles, special Form 1098-C rules apply, but generally, the $500 mark triggers extra paperwork beyond just a written receipt.
When you donate your stuff, a donor representative can give you a receipt for tax purposes. Be sure to hang on to that receipt for tax time.
Yes, for tax years 2020 and 2021, you could deduct up to $300 ($600 for married couples filing jointly) in cash donations even if taking the standard deduction, thanks to temporary rules from the CARES Act, but this specific non-itemizer deduction has expired, with new, permanent rules (including an increased deduction for non-itemizers) taking effect in 2026 under the OBBBA. For the current tax year (2025), you generally must itemize to deduct charitable contributions, but for 2026 and beyond, there's a new permanent deduction for non-itemizers up to $1,000 ($2,000 joint) for cash gifts.
You can claim up to $10 of donations or gifts without having a receipt.
Starting in 2026, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces a new $2,000 charitable deduction for non-itemizers (up to $1,000 for singles) on cash gifts to qualified charities, providing a tax break for the majority of Americans, while itemizers face a new 0.5% AGI floor, meaning only contributions exceeding that threshold are deductible, making strategic giving in 2025 important for some.
Keep in mind that to claim a deduction, you must have a receipt from Goodwill as proof of your donations. We always recommend donors to make a detailed list of donated items and their estimated fair market values for their records.
What does the IRS allow you to deduct (or “write off”) without receipts?
Donating clothing doesn't just help Goodwill—it helps your community. “Clothing makes up about 60% of our sales floor,” Julie explains. “So every item donated helps generate store revenue, which funds our workforce programs and community services.” And it's not just about what sells in stores.
For tax year 2026 and beyond, you can claim an above-the-line deduction for cash donations up to $1,000 (single filers) or $2,000 (married filing jointly) without itemizing, even if you take the standard deduction, but this only applies to cash given directly to public charities, not goods like clothing. For non-cash donations (like clothes to Goodwill), you still generally need to itemize to deduct them, though you can deduct their fair market value if they are in good condition, with specific IRS forms needed for larger amounts.
100% Deduction (No Limit) – Donations to funds like the National Defense Fund, Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, National Foundation for Communal Harmony, and National/State Blood Transfusion Council qualify for a full 100% tax deduction without any limit.
The $600 charitable deduction for non-itemizers (originally $300 for individuals, $600 for joint filers in 2020-2021) was a temporary COVID-era rule that expired at the end of 2021, but it's being reinstated and increased starting in 2026 under new legislation, allowing up to a $1,000 deduction ($2,000 joint) for cash gifts even if you take the standard deduction, though it doesn't reduce your AGI.
It's important to keep in mind that if your laundry claim is over $150 total, or your total claim for work-related expenses is greater than $300, then you'll need to provide written evidence, like diary entries or receipts.
Here's what that could look like:
The IRS allows you to deduct fair market value for gently-used items. The quality of the item when new and its age must be considered. The IRS requires an item to be in good condition or better to take a deduction. Our donation value guide displays prices ranging from good to like-new.
It's always best to keep receipts for all contributions to ensure a smooth claiming process. What are the maximum deductions you can claim without receipts? The ATO permits claims without receipts for donations of up to $10 per item.