A couple years ago, we started to include the following info with thank you letters acknowledging donations and the number of calls we got about equipment estimates went down considerably.

 

How to Figure Fair Market Value for Equipment Donations:

 

 

The Carolinas Neuromuscular/ALS-MDA Center does not provide individual tax advice, and nothing contained in this announcement should be construed as tax advice. As the recipient of your donation, we are very appreciative of your generosity however we are unable to estimate the fair market value of any items donated.  The following instructions are provided as a basic guideline:

 

1. If you are donating used equipment or supplies, claim the price that buyers of such used items actually pay in stores such as consignment or thrift stores or on websites such as craigslist or eBay.

 

2. Consult a website that lists values for similar makes and models if you are donating durable medical equipment such as power wheelchairs or communication devices. 

 

3. Keep an itemized receipt for the items, regardless of whether they are worth $25 or $250, to protect yourself in case you are ever audited.  This letter may serve as a receipt.  Under IRS guidelines, items must be in good used condition or better to be deductible.

 

4. Attach Internal Revenue Service Form 8283 to your return, giving the name and address of the recipient organization, a description of the property contributed, the date the property was acquired, how the property was acquired and its fair market value if the gift's value is over $500.

 

5. Get an independent (3^rd party) qualified appraisal if the value exceeds $5,000.  Keep in mind that regardless of initial cost, most custom-fitted used equipment such as power wheelchairs will not sell for more than $5000. 

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our center.

 

Many Thanks,

 

Carolinas Neuromuscular/ALS-MDA Center 

 

 

 

It’s once again tax crunch time and I have been getting frantic calls from people wanting me to tell them how much their power wheelchair is worth.

 

My standard line is that I am not an equipment appraiser and I cannot provide a value for their donation.  I also explain that medical equipment is considered “single-use” and really has no value.

 

I have begun to send this information along with my response.

 

Hope it helps.

 

 

 

 

http://www.used-wheelchairs-usa.com/sell.cfm

 

Sell My Electric Wheelchair

Used Wheelchairs USA buys gently used electric wheelchairs. To request an offer for your used powerchair, please complete our questionnaire below.

In most cases, Medicare or insurance has already paid for 80%-100% of the cost of your electric wheelchair when it was new. So for a used powerchair in excellent condition and less than 4 years old, we may pay up to 10% of the manufacturer's original list price (with a $1400 maximum), minus the cost of freight delivery to us in Virginia (usually $300-$500).

Here's an example for a used electric wheelchair in excellent condition:

    

     $8000  original price of wheelchair (80% paid by Medicare or insurance)

     $1600  price you actually paid for the wheelchair (20%)

                                       

      $800  highest price we will pay (10% of the original cost) if you deliver

   -  $400  minus shipping to us in Virginia (we pay the shipping company directly)

   =======

      $400  "typical" price we will pay you for this "example" wheelchair

        

Some electric wheelchair models (and some special features) are in greater demand than others, so our purchase prices vary.

 

 

Lisa M. Bruening, M.S., CCC-SLP

Patient Services Coordinator

The ALS Association

Northern Ohio Chapter

phone: 216-592-2572

toll free:  888-592-2572

fax:  216-592-2575

 

Check out our webpage:  www.alsaohio.org

 

As of October 19, 2010 every person living with ALS in the United States can self-enroll in the National ALS Registry! 

How to get to the National ALS Registry http://www.cdc.gov/als

 

 

 

Become an ALSA Advocate!  It's easy! 

Go to our website and follow the tab for Public Policy. Click on Advocacy Action Center and sign up today!

 

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