How to Donate an Electrical Appliance
A good electrical appliance in your home will last you many years. However, at some point, virtually all appliances will have to be updated and replaced. If you are updating your appliances, do not just throw your old items away. You can donate your old appliances to a charity. It is a more sustainable practice, and will allow you to claim the donation on your taxes.
- Clean all the appliances you plan on donating. Also test them to ensure that the appliances are still functional. Most charities will only accept appliances that are still in good working condition. It is also a service you are giving to the potential buyers, to help make sure that they do not spend their money on items that are no longer usable.
- Find a local charity where you can donate your appliances. Most communities will have a selection of charity thrift stores. The two major nationwide charity thrift stores are Goodwill and the Salvation Army.
- Go on the IRS website and look up the charity you have chosen to make sure that it is eligible for donations that are tax deductible. You can also use this website to find a tax deductible eligible charity by region. You may also opt to go on the GE Appliance Donation Center website to find out if any of their national charity partners have a center near you.
- Contact your chosen charity to make sure that they will accept your type of electrical appliance. This step is mostly important for those who are donating large appliances like a washer, dryer or refrigerator.
- Figure out a fair market value amount for the appliance or appliances you are donating. Check the classifieds for similar items being sold and make a fair assessment. You can also visit a used appliance store to compare prices.
- Drop off the appliance at the charity's donation center. For a large appliance, you can also ask if they are able to pick it up for you.
- Collect the donation receipt from the charity for tax purposes.