Is Junk Removal Tax Deductible?

It's a great question to ask before you book, and we hear it all the time. The short answer: the things you donate can be tax deductible, but the fee you pay to have them hauled away usually isn't. Here's how it works, in plain English, so you can plan with confidence.

When you give furniture, clothing or household goods to a qualified charity, you may be able to deduct their fair market value. That's roughly what the item would sell for at a thrift store, not what you paid for it.

What Can Be Deductible: The Items You Donate

• The charity has to be a qualified 501(c)(3) organization.
• Clothing and household items must be in good used condition or better.
• You need to itemize your deductions on Schedule A to claim them.
• Keep the receipt from the charity. For gifts of $250 or more, you need a written acknowledgment from them.
• If your donated items total more than $500, you'll also file IRS Form 8283 with your return.

How We Help at Tax Time

1. 1

   Emailed receipt

   Every job comes with an emailed receipt showing the date, the address and what we hauled, plus before-and-after photos.

2. 2

   Reuse first

   Items in good shape go to a new home whenever possible, and appliances and electronics go to a local recycler.

3. 3

   Donation receipts

   If getting a donation receipt matters to you, mention it when you book and we'll point you to the best way to get one.

What Usually Isn't Deductible: The Removal Fee

The fee you pay for junk removal is payment for a service: the crew, the truck, the lifting and the hauling. The IRS says you can deduct only the part of a payment that's more than the value of what you get back. When you pay a fair price for a pickup, there usually isn't anything left over to deduct. That's true no matter who does the hauling, including a charity.

Own a Business or Rental Property?

There's good news here. If you're clearing out an office, a rental unit or a property you manage, the removal fee may count as an ordinary business or rental expense. That's a different kind of deduction than a charitable one, so ask your accountant how it applies to you.

We're junk removal pros, not tax advisors. This page is general information, so please check with your tax professional about your own situation.