Deadline Approaching for End of Year Donations and 2014 Tax Break With just a few weeks left before the new year, Goodwill would like to remind residents that donated goods and financial contributions made by the end of this month are eligible for a 2014 tax deduction. Goodwill accepts donations of clothing, household items, toys, computers and small appliances. Proceeds from the sale of these items help fund the organization’s job training and employment programs, which are more critical than ever as unemployment continues to hover around 6.5 percent in Carolinas this holiday season. Goodwill helps people who face multiple barriers to employment such as lack of skills, education or work experience and other challenges to finding employment. For nearly 50 years, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont has been helping people build careers in a variety of in-demand fields including construction, banking and customer service and hospitality, free of charge to local job seekers. In addition, Goodwill offers basic computer training, resume building and other vocational services. “Donors can end the holiday season and start the new year off right by making an investment in our local community,” said Michael Elder, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. “We encourage you to give the gift of employment this season. By making a donation, you are helping to provide services to thousands of individuals in our area who need job training, career services and other employment related services.” Donors interested in claiming tax deductions should keep itemized lists of their donations. The Internal Revenue Service allows a deduction for each item, but the donor determines each item’s value. Generally, an item’s value should be based on fair market value – what the item would sell for in a Goodwill store. To assist donors in calculating the value of popular items, below is a general guide for the value of items sold in Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont stores:
| Men’s suits: $9.99 | Women’s purses: $2.99 |
| Coats: $7.99 | Dishes and cups: $ 0.49 |
| Adult shoes: $3.99 | Paperback books: $0.99 |
Goodwill’s Donation Center attendants will gladly provide all donors with a receipt for their tax records. If donors are unsure whether a particular item qualifies for a tax deduction, they should consider whether they would give it to a relative or friend. If the answer is yes, then the item is most likely in good condition and is appropriate to donate. For general guidelines, visit https://goodwillsp.org/?page_id=292 Donors can drop off items at one of Goodwill’s 50+ convenient retail stores or donation centers in North or South Carolina. To make a material donation, use the online locator at https://goodwillsp.org/?page_id=150 to find the donation site near you. Goodwill holiday hours are December 24 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., December 25 closed, December 31 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. and January 1 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. To make a financial donation, send a check to Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, Attn: Development Office, P.O. Box 668768, Charlotte, NC 28266. Media Contact: Melinda Wilshire | Director, Marketing & Communications | Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont | Office: 704-916-1616 | E-Mail: melinda.wilshire@goodwillsp.org | Facebook: Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont | Twitter: @GoodwillSP
