Electronics Donation Value Guide 2025–2026

Electronics depreciate faster than almost any other donation category. That smartphone you bought two years ago for $800 might have a Fair Market Value (FMV) of $150 today. The laptop you replaced last spring? Depending on its age and condition, it could be worth $100 to $350 as a donation — or exactly zero if it doesn’t power on.

That’s what makes valuing donated electronics so different from valuing a winter coat or a dining chair. The spread between a working device and a non-working one isn’t 10 or 20 percent — it’s everything. Condition and functionality are the entire ballgame.

This guide gives you realistic, IRS-compatible fair market value ranges for common electronics donations in 2025–2026, explains the condition rules that separate a deductible device from a $0 write-off, and walks through the data-wiping steps you should take before any device leaves your hands.

What is fair market value for donated electronics?

Fair Market Value (FMV) is the price a willing buyer would pay a willing seller for an item in its current condition — not what you paid for it, not what it costs new, and not what it sold for used three years ago. It’s the realistic price a shopper would pay today.

For most household goods, FMV declines gradually with age. Electronics are different. Consumer technology depreciates steeply and quickly. A two-year-old laptop can be worth less than a third of its original retail price. A four-year-old smartphone might be worth 10 to 20 percent of what you paid. A printer that’s five years old is lucky to fetch $15 at a thrift store.

Several factors push FMV up or down for electronics specifically:

• Whether it works — This is the single biggest factor. A non-working device has virtually no FMV for tax purposes (more on this below).
• Age and generation — Technology cycles fast. An “older model” smartphone from three years ago isn’t just “used” — it’s been lapped by multiple generations.
• Included accessories — The original charger, power cord, remote control, or carrying case can meaningfully support a higher valuation.
• Physical condition — Cracked screens, broken hinges, missing keys, and cosmetic damage all pull value down.

For a broader overview of how FMV works across all donation categories, see the Goodwill Donation Value Guide.

Working vs broken — the IRS condition rule for electronics

The IRS allows you to deduct non-cash charitable contributions only when the donated item is in “good used condition or better.” For electronics, this means the device must:

• Power on and function normally
• Have all essential components present (screen, keyboard, battery, etc.)
• Be free from damage that makes it non-functional or unusable

A smartphone with a shattered screen, a laptop with a dead battery that won’t hold a charge, or a TV that powers on but displays nothing — these items do not meet the good used condition standard. Their FMV for IRS purposes is effectively zero, and claiming a deduction for them could invite scrutiny.

The IRS rule is unambiguous: a non-functional item cannot be the basis of a charitable deduction, regardless of what you originally paid for it or how recently you bought it.

There is a narrow exception: if you donate a single item valued at more than $500 and it’s in below-good condition, you can still potentially claim a deduction — but only if you attach a qualified written appraisal and complete Form 8283 Section B. In practice, this exception almost never applies to consumer electronics. If a device doesn’t work, the smarter move is to recycle it responsibly and skip the deduction entirely.

Wipe your data BEFORE you donate

This section has nothing to do with your tax deduction — it has everything to do with protecting yourself. Before any computer, smartphone, or tablet leaves your hands, you need to securely erase your personal data.

This isn’t optional, and “deleting your files” isn’t enough. Here’s what to do for each device type:

iPhone and iPad: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone (or iPad) > Erase All Content and Settings. This performs a cryptographic erase that makes your data unrecoverable. Sign out of iCloud first if you want to skip the activation lock step for the recipient.

Android smartphones and tablets: Go to Settings > General Management (or System) > Reset > Factory Data Reset. The exact path varies slightly by manufacturer, but every Android device has a factory reset option. Remove your SIM card and any microSD card before resetting.

Windows laptops and desktops: Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC. Choose “Remove everything” and then “Remove files and clean the drive” for the most thorough wipe. This process can take an hour or more on older spinning-hard-drive machines.

Macs: Open System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings (on Apple Silicon and T2 Macs, this option is built in and works cleanly). On older Intel Macs without a T2 chip, restart into macOS Recovery and use Disk Utility to erase the drive before reinstalling macOS.

Printers: Many modern printers store Wi-Fi passwords and document histories in onboard memory. Check your printer’s manual for a factory reset option — it’s usually under a Settings or Maintenance menu.

Don’t forget to sign out of all accounts (Apple ID, Google account, Microsoft account) and remove any linked payment methods before the reset.

Electronics donation value table (2025–2026)

The ranges below reflect realistic thrift-store fair market values for working electronics in good to excellent condition. Items that don’t power on or are missing key components have an FMV of $0 regardless of category.

Because tech models and configurations vary so widely, condition and included accessories matter as much as the category itself. DeductAble uses photo-based AI valuation that accounts for model variations and condition grading — which is especially useful for electronics where the difference between a $30 and $300 value can hinge on a single generation or a cracked screen.

Item	Low (Good Condition)	High (Excellent Condition)
TV (small / under 32”)	$25	$100
TV (mid-size 32–50”)	$50	$200
TV (large 55”+ flat panel)	$75	$350
Working printer (inkjet)	$10	$40
Working printer (laser)	$20	$80
Speaker / stereo	$10	$50
Soundbar	$20	$100
Headphones (over-ear)	$5	$50
Earbuds (wired)	$2	$10
Laptop (5+ years old)	$30	$100
Laptop (2–4 years old)	$100	$350
Tablet	$30	$200
Smartphone (older model)	$20	$150
Smartphone (recent flagship)	$100	$400
Desktop computer	$40	$200
Monitor	$20	$100
Keyboard / mouse	$3	$15
Gaming console (older gen)	$30	$100
Gaming console (current gen)	$100	$300
Game controller	$5	$30
Digital camera (point-and-shoot)	$15	$75
DSLR camera body	$50	$300

Place your item toward the low end for standard brands with visible wear, and toward the high end for well-known brands in like-new condition with all original accessories. Don’t inflate values to match original retail — the IRS expects realistic, defensible FMV.

Tips for donating electronics

A few practices make the donation process smoother and your records cleaner:

Include power cords, chargers, and remotes. A TV without a remote or a laptop without its charger is harder for the charity to resell and harder for you to value at the high end of the range. Including accessories isn’t required, but it supports a stronger FMV.

Keep original boxes if you have them. Original packaging doesn’t change FMV dramatically for most electronics, but it signals that the item has been well cared for and can support a higher condition rating.

Check the charity’s electronics policy before you go. Many Goodwill locations have separate e-waste drop-off programs or will decline certain items — particularly older CRT televisions, monitors, and large copy machines. These items can be expensive for charities to dispose of, so call ahead or check the location’s website to confirm what they’re accepting that day.

Broken devices may be accepted for recycling, but FMV stays $0. Some charities partner with e-waste recyclers and will take non-working electronics to keep them out of landfills. That’s a worthwhile thing to do — but it doesn’t create a tax deduction. If the device isn’t functional, its FMV is zero, full stop.

Donate to a qualified organization. To claim a charitable deduction, the recipient must be a 501(c)(3) organization. Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and most established thrift stores qualify. Donating directly to an individual — even a person in need — does not create a deductible contribution.

IRS documentation: receipts, Form 8283, and the $500 threshold

The IRS treats non-cash charitable contributions seriously, and electronics donations can push you into higher documentation tiers faster than most people expect.

Here’s the basic framework:

Under $250: A receipt from the charity plus your own written, itemized list of donated items is sufficient. Your list should include a description of each item, its condition, and the FMV you assigned.

$250 or more: You need a “contemporaneous written acknowledgment” from the charity — a signed, dated receipt that states whether you received anything in return. The standard Goodwill receipt satisfies this requirement.

Over $500: Form 8283 (Section A) must accompany your return at this tier. One recent-model laptop, a large flat-panel TV, and a current-gen gaming console can hit that $500 threshold in a single donation trip — log each device individually so the form fills out cleanly.

Over $5,000 (single item or group of similar items): Above $5,000 per item, the IRS requires a written appraisal from a qualified independent appraiser, with the charity countersigning Section B. For tech, this almost only comes up with high-end DSLR camera bodies, pro-audio gear, or vintage/collectible electronics.

For a deeper look at non-cash contribution rules, see the guide on non-cash charitable contributions and deduction limits.

One camera body, one recent-model laptop, and a large TV can easily total $500 or more in FMV — putting you squarely in Form 8283 territory. Keep this in mind as you pack your donation boxes.

Good records matter at every tier. A photo of each device at the time of donation, showing its physical condition, is the best documentation you can have if your valuation is ever questioned. Combined with your itemized list and the charity receipt, it creates a clean, defensible record.

For a primer on what your receipt should include and how to handle the paperwork end-to-end, see the guide to understanding Goodwill donation receipts.

Related donation value guides

• Goodwill Donation Value Guide — full hub — fair market value ranges across all donation categories
• Appliances Donation Value Guide — FMV ranges for kitchen and household appliances
• Books & Media Donation Value Guide — FMV ranges for books, DVDs, CDs, and media

A few final questions, answered

Are broken electronics tax deductible?

No. The IRS requires donated items to be in good used condition or better to qualify for a deduction. A non-working TV, a laptop that won’t boot, or a phone with a shattered screen has a fair market value of essentially zero — meaning there is nothing to deduct. Some charities accept broken electronics for parts recycling, but that acceptance does not create a deductible value.

Do I need to wipe my laptop before donating it?

Yes, and it’s one of the most important steps you can take before donating any computer or smartphone. A factory reset or secure erase removes your personal files, passwords, and account credentials. On Windows, use the built-in “Reset this PC” option with the “Remove everything” setting. On macOS, use Erase Assistant in System Settings. Skipping this step could expose your personal data to the next person who picks up the device.

How much can I deduct for a used smartphone?

It depends on the model and its condition. An older smartphone in working, good condition is typically worth $20–$150 in fair market value. A more recent flagship model in excellent condition can range from $100 to $400. The key is that the phone must power on, have no cracked screen, and be fully functional — a non-working phone has an FMV of zero regardless of its original price.

Will Goodwill take old TVs and computers?

Policies vary by location. Many Goodwill stores accept working flat-panel TVs and computers, but some locations have separate e-waste programs or decline older CRT televisions and monitors entirely due to disposal costs. Call your local Goodwill or check their website before hauling in a large or older TV. Even if a charity accepts a non-working unit for recycling, its fair market value for tax purposes remains zero.

What’s the fair market value of a 3-year-old laptop?

A laptop that is 2–4 years old and in working, good condition typically falls in the $100–$350 fair market value range. Condition matters a lot — a 3-year-old laptop with a cracked hinge, dead keys, or a failing battery will land at the low end or below it. The presence of the original charger and a recent data wipe (via “Reset this PC” or Erase Assistant) can help support a higher valuation.

Capture every device donation, ready for tax time

Every working device you donate has a real deductible value — don’t walk away leaving it on the table. With DeductAble, you snap a photo of each item, get an IRS-compliant fair market value in seconds, and build a complete donation record — condition notes, photos, and all — ready for tax time. Download the app and make sure every working device you donate earns you the full deduction it deserves.