Staff Reallocated to Handle Increase Due to Holidays, Tax Deductions. 

Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee will reallocate staff to its busiest Donation Express Centers to handle an expected influx of donations during the final week of 2016.

Each year from Dec. 26-31, the number of donations to Goodwill of gently used clothing and household goods rises dramatically, in part because of people cleaning out their closets, attics and garages to make room for holiday gifts. Many donors also are seeking last-minute tax deductions. In 2015, donations on these six days rose by more than 50 percent compared to other days of the year.

Goodwill depends on its generous donors and shoppers to fund its mission of changing lives through education, training and employment. Thousands of people in communities across Middle and West Tennessee benefit each year from Goodwill’s free services.

Here are 6 factors to keep in mind when donating to Goodwill:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Please remove hangers from clothing.

5. 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.

6. 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.

Learn more about all the ways you can donate to Goodwill through our many services

Goodwill of Middle Tennessee as over 70 donation locations. Find a donation center near you: