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Salvation Army Donation Value Guide (2025–2026)
The Salvation Army will take that old sofa off your hands for free — and if you value and document the donation correctly, the IRS will help pay you back for it. This Salvation Army donation value guide covers what the charity accepts, what your items are worth in fair market value, how the free pickup service works, and exactly what paperwork the IRS expects in return for the deduction.
TL;DR: Value each item at its thrift-store resale price (fair market value per IRS Publication 561), donate only items in good used condition or better, get a receipt for any drop-off worth $250 or more, and file Form 8283 once your non-cash donations for the year pass $500. For big items, schedule a free pickup at satruck.org.
What the Salvation Army Accepts (and What It Doesn’t)
The Salvation Army generally has a broader acceptance policy than most thrift charities — most notably, it takes working large appliances and offers free home pickup for furniture. Per satruck.org, donation centers accept:
- Clothing, shoes, and accessories for men, women, and children
- Furniture — beds, sofas, tables, desks, dressers, cabinets, including large pieces
- Working large appliances — refrigerators, washers, dryers, air conditioners (call first to confirm your local center takes them)
- Small appliances and electronics in working condition
- Household goods — dishes, pots and pans, bedding, linens, lamps
- Books, media, toys, bicycles, and sporting goods
- Tools, musical instruments
- Vehicles — cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, RVs
And what gets turned away at the door, per the same source:
- Appliances with mechanical problems, missing power cords, or heavy rust and grime
- Gas appliances and heaters
- Paint, chemicals, and automobile parts
- Televisions more than about five years old
- Mattresses and box springs (most locations)
- Car seats, drop-side cribs, and anything on the CPSC recall list
Everything on the rejected list shares one trait: it has no resale value, and reselling donations is how the Salvation Army funds its Adult Rehabilitation Centers. That same logic drives the tax rule — if a thrift store can’t sell it, the IRS says it has no deductible value either.
Fair Market Value: The Standard Behind Every Number
Fair market value (FMV) is the price a willing buyer would pay a willing seller for an item in its current used condition, with neither party under compulsion — the standard the IRS codifies in Publication 561 (Determining the Value of Donated Property). In practice, that means the Salvation Army thrift-store shelf price, not what you paid at retail and not what a new replacement costs today.
Condition places each item within its range:
- Excellent (like new): No visible wear, stains, or damage. Values the top of the range.
- Good (gently used): Minor wear, no major flaws — where most donations land. Mid-range.
- Fair: Noticeable wear but still functional. Low end of the range, and often not deductible at all.
IRS Publication 526 requires clothing and household items to be in good used condition or better to qualify for a deduction. Stained, torn, broken, or non-working items have a fair market value of zero — the narrow exception is a single item claimed at over $500 with a qualified written appraisal attached to Form 8283 Section B. For the full willing-buyer/willing-seller framework and condition-tier depreciation, see our guide to the IRS definition of fair market value.
Salvation Army Donation Value Tables (2025–2026)
One thing sets the Salvation Army apart from most charities: it publishes its own donation value guide at satruck.org, with low and high estimates for common items — a working refrigerator at roughly $78–$259, a sofa at $36–$207, a women’s coat at $10–$41. The guide comes with a disclaimer worth taking seriously: the Salvation Army does not set a valuation on your donation — it’s up to you to assign a value to your item.
The tables below give you defensible starting ranges consistent with our full Goodwill donation value guide and its category sub-guides. The low end anchors to Good condition, the high end to Excellent; the same item donated to the Salvation Army or Goodwill has the same fair market value.
Clothing
| Item | Low (Good) | High (Excellent) |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s dress shirt | $4 | $12 |
| Men’s jeans | $5 | $15 |
| Men’s winter coat | $10 | $40 |
| Men’s suit (jacket & pants) | $20 | $75 |
| Women’s top or blouse | $3 | $10 |
| Women’s dress (casual) | $6 | $18 |
| Women’s jacket or blazer | $8 | $25 |
| Children’s jeans / pants | $3 | $8 |
| Shoes, casual (per pair) | $5 | $20 |
| Boots (per pair) | $10 | $45 |
Full item-level tables, designer-brand positioning, and new-with-tags pricing: clothing donation value guide.
Furniture
| Item | Low (Good) | High (Excellent) |
|---|---|---|
| Sofa (3-seat) | $50 | $250 |
| Loveseat | $40 | $175 |
| Recliner | $30 | $150 |
| Dresser / chest of drawers | $30 | $120 |
| Kitchen / dining table | $40 | $200 |
| Dining chair (each) | $10 | $35 |
| Coffee table | $20 | $75 |
| End table / nightstand | $15 | $50 |
| Desk | $25 | $125 |
| Bed frame (full/queen) | $30 | $150 |
Mattresses are the exception: most locations refuse them, and their fair market value for tax purposes is effectively zero regardless of condition. Pickup logistics and what’s typically refused: furniture donation value guide.
Appliances
The Salvation Army is one of the few major charities that accepts working large appliances — a meaningful differentiator, since a single refrigerator or washer can be worth more than several bags of clothing.
| Item | Low (Good) | High (Excellent) |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (full-size, working) | $75 | $400 |
| Washing machine | $50 | $300 |
| Dryer | $50 | $250 |
| Dishwasher | $30 | $200 |
| Window AC unit | $30 | $150 |
| Microwave (countertop) | $15 | $50 |
| Stand mixer | $30 | $200 |
| Vacuum (upright, basic) | $15 | $60 |
| Coffee maker (drip) | $5 | $20 |
| Blender (standard) | $5 | $25 |
Working condition is non-negotiable for this category — test every appliance before donating. Cleaning checklists and brand callouts: appliances donation value guide.
Household Goods
| Item | Low (Good) | High (Excellent) |
|---|---|---|
| Dish set | $10 | $40 |
| Pots & pans (set) | $10 | $50 |
| Sheet set | $3 | $15 |
| Blanket | $3 | $20 |
| Comforter | $10 | $40 |
| Towel (each) | $1 | $4 |
| Pillow (each) | $2 | $8 |
| Hardcover book | $1 | $5 |
Logging every item by hand is where most donors give up. The printable itemized donation checklist works for Salvation Army donations exactly as it does for Goodwill — one row per item with condition and FMV columns, ready to file with your receipt. Or skip the paper entirely: DeductAble photographs each item, suggests an IRS-aligned resale value, and builds the itemized record as you pack.
Free Pickup: The Salvation Army’s Biggest Advantage
For anything too big to fit in your car, the Salvation Army offers free large-item pickup in many U.S. communities — the main reason it’s often the better choice for furniture and appliance donations.
- Schedule online by entering your zip code at satruck.org, or call 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825).
- Book 2–5 days ahead. Slots fill quickly in urban areas, and spring-cleaning season books out further.
- Items must be accessible and usable. Ground-floor access (or items that can be carried to the truck) is expected, and drivers can decline pieces that are broken, heavily stained, or structurally unsound.
- Photograph before the truck arrives. Pickup receipts are blanket receipts — they never itemize individual pieces. Your photos and itemized list are the only per-item record you’ll have.
Donating a Vehicle: Form 1098-C
The Salvation Army accepts cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, and RVs, and vehicle donations follow their own IRS documentation track. The charity issues IRS Form 1098-C, which is required to claim any vehicle deduction over $500. Your deduction is generally limited to the gross proceeds the Salvation Army receives when it sells the vehicle — not the Kelley Blue Book value — unless the charity uses or materially improves the vehicle. Claimed values over $5,000 also require a qualified appraisal. The full rules, including the fair-market-value exceptions, are in our guide to donating your car to charity.
The IRS Paperwork, Tier by Tier
The documentation the IRS expects scales with the size of the donation. Per IRS Publication 526 (Charitable Contributions):
- Under $250 per drop-off: Keep the Salvation Army receipt plus your own itemized list — descriptions, conditions, and assigned fair market values.
- $250 or more per drop-off: You need a contemporaneous written acknowledgment from the charity — a dated written record that describes the donated property and states whether you received anything in exchange, in your hands before you file. A blank slip doesn’t qualify.
- Over $500 in total non-cash donations for the year: Attach IRS Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Contributions) to your return. Group similar items on a single line; list higher-value pieces separately.
- Over $5,000 for a single item or group of similar items: A qualified written appraisal plus Form 8283 Section B, signed by both the appraiser and the charity.
Keep receipts, lists, and photos for at least three years from your filing date — the IRS’s standard audit window.
Salvation Army vs Goodwill: Which Should You Choose?
The tax math is identical — both are 501(c)(3) organizations, and fair market value doesn’t change with the logo on the receipt. The practical differences decide it:
| Factor | Salvation Army | Goodwill |
|---|---|---|
| Large appliances | Accepted at most locations | Usually declined |
| Large furniture | Free home pickup via satruck.org | Drop-off; pickup rare |
| Vehicles | Accepted; issues Form 1098-C directly | Separate program (Goodwill Car Donations) |
| Locations | Thousands of centers | More than 3,300 stores — usually closer |
| Best for | Big, heavy items; whole-home cleanouts | Frequent small drop-offs |
In short: pickup-dependent or appliance-heavy donations go to the Salvation Army; quick clothing drop-offs go to whichever is closer, which is usually Goodwill. For the full three-way comparison including Habitat for Humanity ReStore — the only major charity that takes building materials — see Goodwill vs Salvation Army vs Habitat ReStore: what to donate where.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Salvation Army have its own donation value guide?
Yes. The Salvation Army publishes a donation value guide at satruck.org with low and high estimated values for commonly donated items — for example, a working refrigerator at roughly $78–$259 and a sofa at $36–$207. The guide carries an important disclaimer: the Salvation Army does not set a valuation on your donation. Assigning a defensible fair market value is the donor’s responsibility under IRS Publication 561, so use the published ranges as a starting point and adjust for your item’s actual condition and brand.
How do I schedule a free Salvation Army donation pickup?
Enter your zip code at satruck.org to schedule a free donation pickup online, or call 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825). Availability depends on your area, and slots typically require 2–5 days advance notice. Items must be in good, usable condition and accessible to the pickup crew — drivers can decline items that are broken, heavily stained, or structurally unsound.
What items will the Salvation Army not accept?
Per satruck.org, the Salvation Army does not accept appliances with mechanical problems, missing power cords, or heavy rust and grime; gas appliances and heaters; paint, chemicals, or automobile parts; or televisions more than about five years old. Like other major charities, it also declines mattresses at most locations, car seats, drop-side cribs, and anything on the CPSC recall list. When in doubt, call your local center before loading the truck.
Do I need a receipt for Salvation Army donations?
Yes. For any single donation of $250 or more, IRS Publication 526 requires a contemporaneous written acknowledgment from the charity — a dated written record describing the donated property and stating whether you received anything in exchange, obtained before you file your return. For smaller drop-offs, keep the Salvation Army receipt plus your own itemized list with each item’s description, condition, and fair market value. The receipt never assigns dollar values; that is always the donor’s job.
Do I need Form 8283 for Salvation Army donations?
IRS Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Contributions) is required when your total non-cash donations for the year — across all charities combined — exceed $500. Section A covers each item or group of similar items valued at $5,000 or less; Section B requires a qualified written appraisal for any single item or group of similar items valued over $5,000. Group similar items (all clothing, all kitchenware) on a single line and list higher-value individual items separately.
How does donating a car to the Salvation Army work for taxes?
The Salvation Army accepts cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, and RVs, and issues IRS Form 1098-C, which you must have to claim a vehicle deduction over $500. Your deduction is generally limited to the gross proceeds the charity receives when it sells the vehicle, unless the charity uses or materially improves it. For claimed values over $5,000, a qualified appraisal is also required.
Should I donate to the Salvation Army or Goodwill?
For most clothing and household donations, either works — both are 501(c)(3) organizations, and the IRS valuation and documentation rules are identical. Choose the Salvation Army for large furniture, working large appliances, and anything that needs free home pickup; choose Goodwill when drop-off convenience matters most, since it typically has more locations. Fair market value does not change based on which charity you choose.
Whether the truck comes to you or you drive to the drop-off door, the deduction only counts if the record exists. DeductAble builds that record as you pack — photograph each item, get an IRS-aligned resale value, and export a Form 8283-ready report at tax time: https://deductable.ai
