What Marin and Solano charities actually take, what they refuse, and the tax-receipt rules — so you keep good stuff out of the landfill and claim what you're owed. When an item can't be donated, we'll haul it.
Donate gently-used, clean, unbroken furniture, appliances, and housewares to Habitat ReStore (it offers pickup). Mattresses can't be donated but recycle free via Bye Bye Mattress. For a tax deduction, keep the receipt and use fair market value; over $500 you file IRS Form 8283. Anything torn, broken, or refused — a hauler removes it and recycles what it can.
The most flexible option for furniture and household goods. Habitat ReStores accept new or gently-used furniture, appliances, housewares, and building materials, and most offer pickup for large items. The catch: upholstered and leather furniture must be free of tears, stains, and pet damage, and ReStores do not accept mattresses, e-waste, or paint (some recycle those separately). The Marin / San Rafael area is served through Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco — confirm donation hours and pickup with the store, since donation hours can differ from store hours.
Goodwill and similar thrift stores take clean clothing, housewares, books, and small furniture in good condition. They also refuse mattresses and damaged goods. Drop-off receipts rarely itemize, so pair the receipt with your own itemized list and assigned values.
Donation policies change. St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin has at times not accepted furniture donations — always call before you load up, and don't assume any charity takes large furniture without confirming current need. We reflect stated policy as of our pull date; verify before you drive.
You can deduct the fair market value of donated household goods in good used condition or better — roughly thrift-store resale value, not original price. A used sofa in good shape is commonly valued around $50–$250. Documentation scales with value:
This is general information, not tax advice — see IRS Publication 561 or ask your tax preparer.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore (serving the Marin / San Rafael area through Habitat Greater San Francisco) accepts gently-used furniture, appliances, housewares, and building materials, and offers donation pickup for larger items. Upholstered or leather pieces must be free of tears, stains, and pet damage. ReStores do not take mattresses, e-waste, or paint, though some locations recycle those separately.
Habitat ReStore offers pickup of large furniture and appliance donations (scheduled in advance through its pickup partner). Availability and scheduling vary, so confirm by calling the store. If you'd rather not coordinate a donation pickup, a full-service hauler donates reusable items on your behalf as part of a flat-rate job.
Yes, if the item is in good used condition or better and the charity is a qualified 501(c)(3). You deduct the item's fair market value — roughly what it would sell for in a thrift store, not what you paid new. A used sofa in good condition is commonly valued around $50–$250. Keep the charity's written receipt.
Under $250, a simple receipt with the charity name, date, and a description is enough. From $250 to $500 you need a written acknowledgment from the charity. Over $500 you must also file IRS Form 8283 with your return. Over $5,000 for a single item or group, you generally need a qualified written appraisal. See IRS Publication 561.
Charities generally refuse mattresses (hygiene), torn or stained upholstery, broken furniture, e-waste, and hazardous materials like paint. Mattresses recycle free through Bye Bye Mattress instead. Anything a charity won't take, a hauler can still remove and route to recycling or the landfill.
Every fee on this page is transcribed from a public source below. Where a facility does not publish rates online, we say so rather than estimate.
We'll sort it — donate the good stuff, recycle what we can, and haul the rest. One flat price from a photo.
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