Goodwill Anticipates Surge of Donations Due to Holidays, Tax Season

Marshall County residents can help their communities and themselves by donating gently used clothing and household goods to Goodwill before Christmas to beat the annual year-end rush.

Each year from Dec. 26-31, the number of donations at Goodwill Donation Express centers rises dramatically. In 2015, donations on these six days rose by more than 50 percent compared to other days of the year.

Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee depends on this surge of donations -- as well as other donations given throughout the year -- to fund its mission of changing lives through education, training and employment. Each year thousands of people in communities across Middle and West Tennessee benefit from Goodwill's free services.

The end-of-year donation rush is prompted in part by people cleaning out their closets, attics and garages to make room for holiday gifts. But many donors also are seeking last-minute tax deductions.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when donating to Goodwill:

* Prepare an inventory of your items to be donated before going to Goodwill. The IRS allows a deduction for each item, but it is up to the donor to estimate each item's value.

* When decluttering your home, consider the One-Year Rule: If you haven't worn it, used it or played it in one year, it is probably time to donate it.

* Donors wishing to claim tax deductions for their donations can easily do so at mygoodwilldonation.org, or they can request a paper receipt from the attendant when dropping off their donations.

* Please remove hangers from clothing.

* If you have a single donation worth more than $500, you will need to complete IRS Form 8283. You will also need a qualified written appraisal.

* Be certain you are donating to a legitimate charity. Resources for research include the Tennessee Secretary of State's Office and charity-rating agencies such as GuideStar.

There are more than 70 Donations Express Centers located throughout Middle Tennessee, and most are open seven days a week. The nearest Marshall County donation location is 130 The Acres Shopping Center,

Lewisburg, TN 37091. Call (913)359-7484 withe questions. Other locations and hours can be found online at giveit2goodwill.org, under the "Donate" tab.

For nearly 60 years, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee has provided job training and job placement free of charge to people with disabilities or other barriers to employment through the sale of donated items.