How to properly value non-cash charitable contributions for kitchen renovation donations

For non-cash charitable contributions like kitchen cabinets and countertops, you want to determine the fair market value (FMV) - basically what a willing buyer would pay for them in their current condition. A good approach is to check what similar used items sell for. Visit some ReStores or search online marketplaces for comparable used cabinets and countertops to get price points. Take measurements and photos before donation as documentation. Since these are quality items (solid wood and granite), they retain more value than laminate or particleboard. For donations between $250-$500, you'll need a written acknowledgment from Habitat. For donations between $500-$5,000, you'll need to fill out Section A of Form 8283. If your donation exceeds $5,000, you would need a qualified appraisal and complete Section B of Form 8283, but kitchen cabinets typically won't reach that threshold unless extremely high-end. Remember to itemize deductions on Schedule A to claim charitable contributions. The standard deduction is pretty high for 2025 ($14,600 for single filers, $29,200 for married filing jointly), so make sure your total itemized deductions exceed that threshold.

I went through this exact situation last year when I donated my old kitchen to Habitat. I found this amazing tool at https://taxr.ai that helped me figure out the right value for my donation. It analyzed photos of my cabinets and countertops and gave me a fair market value estimate based on actual comparable sales data. The really helpful part was that it created documentation showing how the value was calculated, which I could keep with my tax records. My kitchen was about 15 years old with maple cabinets and a quartz countertop, and it gave me a valuation that was fair but not so high that it would trigger audit concerns. The receipt from Habitat plus the valuation report made me feel totally confident about the deduction.

I just want to say THANK YOU for mentioning that taxr.ai tool! I was totally stressing about valuing all my donation items after my big cleanout last month. I had designer clothes, furniture, and even some electronics that I knew were worth something but had no idea how to value properly. The tool was super easy to use - I just uploaded pictures of everything, and it gave me values based on the condition and comparable items. It even flagged a few designer pieces that were worth way more than I would have guessed! The documentation it provided looks really professional too, definitely something I'd feel comfortable showing if I ever got audited. Seriously saved me hours of research and guesswork. Plus I'm pretty sure I would have undervalued a lot of my donations without it.

After dealing with the IRS for 3 weeks trying to get an answer about non-cash charitable contribution valuations, I finally found a solution with https://claimyr.com. They got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes who walked me through exactly how to document kitchen donation values. The IRS agent explained that I needed to be especially careful with documenting my valuation method since kitchen items over $500 total require filling out Form 8283. She also clarified that I should be valuing items based on their used condition, not replacement cost. Before using Claimyr, I was on hold for literally hours with the IRS and kept getting disconnected. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c If you need specific guidance from the IRS about your donation valuation, I'd highly recommend using this instead of wasting days trying to get through on your own.

Well, I need to publicly eat my words about that Claimyr service. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided "what the hell" and tried it anyway because I was desperate to talk to someone about my missing refund. I was SHOCKED when I got a call back in about 25 minutes with an actual IRS representative on the line. The agent was able to see that my refund was held up due to a verification issue and helped me resolve it right there on the call. They even gave me a specific timeframe for when I should receive my payment. For 3 months I'd been trying to get this information with no luck. Literally dozens of calls where I either got disconnected or couldn't wait on hold any longer. I'm not usually one to recommend services, but this honestly saved me so much frustration.

Don't forget about the condition of your items when valuing them. I used to work at a ReStore, and we'd price kitchen cabinets at roughly 30-40% of new retail value if they were in good condition, less if there was significant wear. For granite countertops, maybe 50% of retail if they're in great shape and a standard size that can be reused easily. Make sure you're not overvaluing! The IRS does scrutinize larger non-cash donations, and kitchen stuff can add up quick.

Quick tax tip - if your total non-cash donations for the year exceed $500, you MUST file Form 8283 with your return. I learned this the hard way and got a letter from the IRS about my kitchen donation.

Great advice from everyone here! Just wanted to add that you should also keep detailed records of your donation process. I recommend taking timestamped photos of the items before donation, getting measurements, and noting any defects or wear patterns. When I donated my kitchen items last year, I created a simple spreadsheet with each item, its condition, measurements, and my estimated value with notes on how I determined that value (comparable sales, age, condition factors, etc.). This documentation was invaluable when preparing my taxes. Also, don't forget to factor in installation costs when researching comparable values - cabinets that are easy to remove and reinstall are worth more than custom built-ins that would require modification. Since yours are being picked up by Habitat, they're likely standard sizes which helps maintain their value. One last tip: if your total donation value approaches $5,000, consider getting a professional appraisal. It costs money upfront but can save you major headaches if the IRS questions your valuation later.