LETTER: Donate, don’t dump

May 20, 2022

To the community: 

Duxbury, Waterbury and surrounding towns have recently completed another successful Green Up Day held each year in Vermont on the first Saturday in May. It is a monumental volunteer effort of community and neighborhood pride spearheaded by dedicated local coordinators.

While driving or on walks, I have always been puzzled by the folks that toss refundable beverage containers out their vehicle window or discard them in piles. Why not return them applying the refund against the next round so someone else doesn’t have to pick them up? Being a thrifty Vermonter I just don't get it.

What does come to mind is something many may not know about. That is the tax benefit of donating larger items that are still dry and in usable condition such as those mini-living rooms that sometimes appear along our roads. Couches, chairs, tables, desks, bureaus, an occasional sink or toilet each so carefully unloaded for all to behold.

If these had been driven just a few more miles to ReSource in Barre or Goodwill, or Restore in Williston, as non-profits they would give you a tax donation slip with values ranging from $25 -$100 or more depending on the item. Best of all you can do this anytime of year. Check ahead for those accepting mattresses.

You don’t have to have an accountant do your taxes to benefit from this. On your federal income tax return if you itemize, charitable donations go on Schedule A. If you don’t itemize – which many of us don’t – Vermont allows all taxpayers to claim 5% of qualified charitable donations up to $20,000 of such in that tax year. This gets recorded under your tax credits and can reduce taxes you owe and increase a refund!

While documentation is not required, it must be presented if requested so hang on to those non-profit verifications and think “Donate, Don’t Dump.”

Jill Smith

Duxbury

Green Up volunteer and former selectboard member, Jill Smith volunteers as an AARP tax aide volunteer; she also serves as a justice of the peace, and is a member of the Duxbury Historical Society.