I would like to take advantage of my Goodwill donations tax deduction. If I have the receipts for Goodwill donations totaling less than $5,000, do I also need a donation receipt letter from Goodwill?

The type of donation records which may include a donation receipt letter will depend upon the amount of your contributions and whether they are:

• Cash contributions
• Noncash contributions
• Out-of-pocket expenses when donating your services

Typically, an organization must give you a written statement if you donate more than $75.

Cash contributions

Cash contributions are those paid by:

• Check
• Electronic funds transfer
• Debit or credit card
• Payroll deduction

If you make a cash contribution, you must have one of these:

• A bank record that shows:
  • Name of the qualified organization
  • Date of the contribution
  • Amount of the contribution
• A receipt or letter from the qualified organization showing:
  • Name of the organization
  • Date of the contribution
  • Amount of the contribution
• Payroll deduction records — These can include a pay stub, your W-2, or another document from your employer.

Noncash contributions

To qualify for a Goodwill donations tax deduction of noncash contributions or noncash contributions made to other charitable organizations The records you must keep depend on:

• The type of contribution
• The amount of your contribution

To deduct a noncash contribution in any amount, you’ll need to get and keep a receipt, letter, or other communication from the charitable organization showing:

• The name of the qualified organization
• The date and location of the charitable contribution
• A reasonably detailed description of the property

You must also keep reliable written records that include:

• • The name and address of the organization to which you contributed
  • The date and location of the contribution
  • A description of the property in detail reasonable under the circumstances
  • The fair market value (FMV) of the property at the time of the contribution and how you determined the FMV. If it was determined by appraisal, you should also keep a copy of the signed appraisal.
  • The cost or other basis of the property
  • The terms of any conditions attached to the contribution of property

The type of donation records which may include a donation receipt letter will depend upon the amount of your contributions and whether they are:

• • • Cash contributions
    • Noncash contributions
    • Out-of-pocket expenses when donating your services

Typically, an organization must give you a written statement if you donate more than $75.

Cash contributions

Cash contributions are those paid by:

• • • Check
    • Electronic funds transfer
    • Debit or credit card
    • Payroll deduction

If you make a cash contribution, you must have one of these:

• • • A bank record that shows:
      • Name of the qualified organization
      • Date of the contribution
      • Amount of the contribution
    • A receipt or letter from the qualified organization showing:
      • Name of the organization
      • Date of the contribution
      • Amount of the contribution
    • Payroll deduction records — These can include a pay stub, your W-2, or another document from your employer.

Noncash contributions

To qualify for a Goodwill donations tax deduction of noncash contributions or noncash contributions made to other charitable organizations The records you must keep depend on:

• • • The type of contribution
    • The amount of your contribution

To deduct a noncash contribution in any amount, you’ll need to get and keep a receipt, letter, or other communication from the charitable organization showing:

• • • The name of the qualified organization
    • The date and location of the charitable contribution
    • A reasonably detailed description of the property

You must also keep reliable written records that include:

• • • The name and address of the organization to which you contributed
    • The date and location of the contribution
    • A description of the property in detail reasonable under the circumstances
    • The fair market value (FMV) of the property at the time of the contribution and how you determined the FMV. If it was determined by appraisal, you should also keep a copy of the signed appraisal.
    • The cost or other basis of the property
    • The terms of any conditions attached to the contribution of property

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