Donating a Computer

Donate Your PC Instead of throwing away your unused or outdated computers, why not donate them? You can help others who may be in need of a computer, help the environment, AND help your wallet.

Pay less taxes

One of the simplest ways to qualify for a tax deduction is to donate a computer. Tax laws have special incentives for donations of computer equipment. And remember – to affect your refund for this year, donations must be made by December 31st.

TIP: When estimating the value of your donation, don’t forget the installed software. Since software doesn’t decline in value like hardware does, you can claim the full purchase price of software programs – this can increase the estimated value of a PC donation more than three-fold.

Help others

Many people still don’t have access to the information available through computing and the Internet. With the critical importance of technology these days, people without a computer face significant disadvantages – socially, educationally, and professionally. Donating your computer to a school, library, or charity can help many in your community.

Help the environment

Donating computers also benefits the environment – the equipment (and the associated dangerous wastes and heavy metals) is kept out of already overflowing landfills. Research by the Environmental Protection Agency finds that in 2007, only 18% of discarded computers were recycled.

5 tips for donating your computer

1. Pick the right organization

If the computer is less than 3 years old, it can be donated directly to an organization. Newer computers can be reused without the organization having to spend time and resources to make them usable.
If the computer is 3 to 5 years old, it should be donated to a refurbishing center. Refurbishing centers can repair and upgrade computers so that they are usable. TechSoup provides a searchable list of refurbishing centers: www.techsoup.org/recycle/donate.
If the computer is over 5 years old, it should be recycled. TechSoup provides a searchable list of recycling centers:www.techsoup.org/recycle/donate. (Note that Goodwill and the Salvation Army no longer accept donated computers.)

2. Contact the organization first

Once you’ve chosen an organization for your donation, be sure to contact them first. They may require a certain type of computer or have specific instructions on how to prepare your computer for donation.

3. Securely delete your personal data

The most important step is to securely delete your personal information from the computer. Just deleting files, or even formatting the drive, does not erase data (Read more here). Many people donate computers, unaware that the files they thought they deleted can actually be easily retrieved.

The only secure way to delete your information is to use data wiping software like DriveScrubber. Data wiping software uses overwrite technologies that will ensure deleted data cannot be recovered.

4. Include supplemental materials

Keep the operating system intact – the organization won’t have to spend valuable funds to purchase and license a new operating system.*
Keep any software installed. This can not only increase the amount your tax deduction, but can help the recipient of your PC – older computers often work best with older software.*
Where possible, include the peripherals and accessories, such as the mouse and keyboard, and include any manuals and CDs that came with the computer.

* With DriveScrubber, you can thoroughly wipe the remnants of deleted files. This way, existing programs and the operating system are left in intact, but your personal data will be securely deleted and cannot be recovered.

5. Keep records of your donation

So that you’ll be ready at tax time, be sure to get a receipt for the donation, and keep a list of everything that you donate.

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