Donate Phone
Whether you’ve picked up something new or just have an old cell phone, do you know you can donate it? Here’s a primer on getting a tax deduction when you donate a phone.
Donate Phone
There are currently well over 100 million cell phones in the United States. Millions of them are sitting in desks and closets, having been replaced by newer versions. Cell phones contain materials that are very toxic when they degrade, which is leading to an environmental problem. Many people know this, but aren’t sure what to do with old cell phones. Well, you can donate a phone.
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If you want a tax deduction when you donate a phone, you must donate it to a charitable organization. Legitimate charities are designated as 501(c)(3) organizations with the IRS, and will say as much in their paperwork. Most charities will accept just about anything if it can be converted into cash. You phone counts as such a thing.
When you donate a phone to a qualified charity, you can take a deduction. Generally, the deduction is the amount you paid for the phone reduced by 20 percent for each year of use. This is a general rule of thumb, so check with your tax professional to see if the IRS has issued any new guidelines. As always, make sure you get a receipt for the donation.
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Before you charge ahead with your donation, make absolutely sure you’ve erased your data from the phone. Most manufacturers provide information on how to do this for particular models. Don’t worry, it isn’t difficult.
When you donate a phone to charity, the organization will typically convert it into three to 10 dollars in cash. While this may not sound like much, keep in mind millions of phones are thrown away each year. If these people donated their phone instead, charities would make out like bandits.
It starts with you. Donate a phone today.