Can We Get a Tax Deduction for Donating Used Durable Medical Equipment (DME)?

You can absolutely claim a tax deduction for donating Durable Medical Equipment (DME) like prosthetic limbs to a qualified charitable organization like Shriners. Since these are medical devices with significant value, you'll want to approach this correctly. For items worth more than $5,000, the IRS typically requires a qualified appraisal. Given the original cost of these prosthetics ($13k-33k), you'll likely need an independent appraisal to determine their current fair market value. The hospital might not provide a specific valuation - they'll typically just acknowledge receipt of the donation. Make sure to get proper documentation from Shriners confirming they received the donation. For tax purposes, you'll need to file Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Contributions) with your tax return, and if the deduction exceeds $5,000, you'll need to complete Section B of that form, which requires the appraisal information.

Just wanted to share my experience using taxr.ai when I had a similar situation with expensive medical equipment donations. Last year, I donated my dad's wheelchair and hospital bed after he passed, and I was confused about how to handle it on my taxes. I found https://taxr.ai and uploaded the donation receipts and some info about the original costs. The tool analyzed everything and explained exactly how to document the donation properly for my tax deduction. It even pointed out that I needed Form 8283 and explained how to fill it out based on my specific situation. Really helped me maximize the deduction without risking an audit.

I tried taxr.ai after posting my skeptical comment and I'm honestly surprised. I had some expensive hearing aids I donated last year that I wasn't sure how to handle on my taxes. The system walked me through the entire process including valuation considerations based on their condition and age. What really helped was the documentation guidance - it created a checklist of everything I needed from the charity and explained exactly how to attach it to my return. It even flagged that my donation might trigger additional scrutiny and recommended steps to ensure everything was properly documented. Wish I'd known about this tool earlier!

If you're having trouble getting answers from the IRS about your Durable Medical Equipment donation, I highly recommend Claimyr. I was in a similar situation with donated medical equipment last year and couldn't get through to an IRS representative for weeks. Used https://claimyr.com and got connected to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes! You can see a demo of how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The agent confirmed that I needed an independent appraisal for my donation and explained exactly what documentation would satisfy their requirements. Saved me hours of hold music and potentially an incorrect filing that could have triggered an audit.

I need to apologize for my skeptical comment earlier. After our tax preparer told us we'd need to speak with an IRS specialist about our medical equipment donation and warned us about the wait times, I decided to try Claimyr out of desperation. Within 20 minutes, I was talking to an IRS representative who walked me through the exact requirements for documenting our donation. They confirmed we needed an appraisal but also told us about a specific form (8283 Section B) that I hadn't even heard about. Seriously saved us from making a filing mistake and potentially getting flagged for review. The time saved was absolutely worth it.

Check with the hospital directly before going through all this trouble. Some places like Shriners might have relationships with appraisers who specialize in medical equipment. When I donated my daughter's specialized wheelchair, the hospital connected me with someone who could provide the documentation I needed for the IRS. Also, don't forget that your original receipts are valuable in this process. Having documentation of the original purchase price can help establish a starting point for the current valuation, especially with items that have a known depreciation rate like medical equipment.

Has anyone used TurboTax to handle this kind of donation? I'm wondering if their software walks you through medical equipment donations properly or if I need something more specialized.

I work in medical billing and deal with DME valuations regularly. For prosthetic limbs specifically, you'll want to contact either the original manufacturer or a certified prosthetist for the appraisal. Many prosthetists are qualified to provide fair market value assessments since they understand depreciation rates and condition factors for these devices. A few things to keep in mind: prosthetics typically retain 30-60% of their original value depending on age, condition, and whether they're current generation technology. Since yours are still in good condition but older models, you're probably looking at the lower end of that range. Also, make sure Shriners can actually accept used prosthetics - some hospitals have strict policies about accepting used medical devices due to hygiene and liability concerns. I'd recommend calling them first to confirm they can use the donation before going through the appraisal process. The tax benefits are definitely worth pursuing given the original cost, but getting everything documented properly upfront will save you headaches later if the IRS has questions.

This is such a generous thing to do! I went through something similar when my mom passed away and we had to figure out what to do with her oxygen concentrator and mobility scooter. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - make sure you get a detailed receipt from Shriners that specifically describes what you're donating (model numbers, serial numbers if available, general condition). The IRS can be pretty picky about documentation for high-value donations, and having everything spelled out clearly will help if they ever question the deduction. Also, keep copies of your original purchase receipts, insurance claims, and any maintenance records you might have. This documentation helps establish the original cost basis and shows you took proper care of the equipment, which can support a higher valuation. The appraisal route definitely sounds like the way to go given the original cost. Even if the appraisal costs a few hundred dollars, you'll likely come out way ahead on the tax savings. Good luck with the donation - I'm sure it will really help someone!