Goodwill donations on track despite tax law changes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Goodwill stores see an increase in donations around the holidays.

From Thursday to Monday, Goodwill received 15,588 donations, which is slightly fewer than last year's total of 15,784.

[RELATED: Why you may get a smaller tax refund next year — and what to do about it]

While the donations have been on track this year, some people are concerned that changes in a tax law would deter people from donating.

Samantha Story, with Goodwill, said they’ve been closely watching how the new tax law would impact its donors this year.

“For the people who choose to itemized their donation, it could be a little bit harder to reach that threshold to get that incentive,” said Story.

Under the Tax Cuts and Job Act the standard deduction increased:

Single: $6,500 to $12,000

Couples who file jointly: $13,000 to $24,000

Story said the changes shouldn’t discourage people from donating. She said all the items that are sold in the store help provide free job training and employment services for people in the community.

[ALSO READ: Goodwill provides skilled training in free program]

Channel 9 was there as dozens of people stopped by Goodwill's Ballantyne location Wednesday.

Nikko Osaka, a college student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, donated bookcases and and some clothes.

“I donate year-round, but yeah around Christmas time, there's always that feeling of giving back,” said Osaka.

[RELATED: Goodwill employee finds $46K in slow cooker donation, tracks down owner]

Osaka took a receipt from the store manager, but said he likely won’t use when he files his taxes next year.

“I don't really care about the tax refund,” he said.

He added that he doesn’t donate enough to meet the threshold anyway and that he just wants others to benefit from his donations.

“Instead of selling it or throwing it away, its better to give it to someone who would be able to use it,” said Osaka.

Charities cannot tell you what your donated items are worth. If you want to itemize your donations, it’s best to contact your accountant, or refer to a value guide.

The Joint Committee on Taxation predicts fewer people will itemize this year. It said only 18 million will file for 2018, compared to 46.5 million in 2017.

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