Disposing of Computers - Donation FAQs

If you have been a PC owner for more than a few years, you probably also own one or more obsolete computers. Donation is the best method for getting rid of these outdated hard drives. This approach to computer disposal is generally free, you get to take the resale value of the computer off your taxes, and there are organizations all over the U.S. that can help facilitate your charitable donation. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the process:

Frequently Asked Questions About Donating a Computer

  • What types of computers can I donate?

  • There are some charities that will accept any and all computers - no matter how old they are or whether they are in working condition. These locations are generally planning to either recycle or refurbish the equipment. However, many organizations that intend to actually use the computers immediately are looking for hard drives that are:

    • Less than 5 years old
    • In working condition
    • Internet capable
    Some organizations list specific makes/models that they accept. For example, they might only take CPUs that are Pentium III or higher. Others will accept older models as long as they meet minimum requirements for megs of RAM and gigabytes of hard drive space. Each organization’s FAQ page will usually answer this type of question so you know in advance if they can use your equipment. Many charities also accept peripheral devices such as printers, keyboards, mice, cables, and monitors.
  • Should I wipe my hard drive before donating it?

  • Yes. Disposing of computers that still contain any of your personal identifying information or financial records is very risky. You should always perform a full wipe of all personal data/files from your old computers. Donation recipient organizations may offer to take care of this step for you. A few even commit to using a DOD 5220.22 M compliant erasure program to do this. However, if someone accesses your hard drive before the charity gets around to wiping it - or if the organization uses less than adequate software to perform the wipe - your information is still at risk.

    If your identity is stolen because a charitable organization fell down on the job, you are still the one left to take responsibility for cleaning up the mess this creates. The charity is unlikely to reimburse you for the time and money you spend fighting ID fraud. You can use the SurErase Home User software to wipe as many as 5 hard drives in preparation for donation and be certain that your private data has been securely erased.
  • Can I (or should I) leave any software installed?

  • Emphatically, no. Many organizations that accept older equipment appreciate it if you leave the original programs installed. That’s because newer software doesn’t always work well on old systems. However, since proper data security involves completely wiping your hard drive, you absolutely need to make security your primary concern. Having any old software on the PC might also cause the person receiving the computer to try harder to find any leftover data files.

    Including any user, setup, and system restoration CDs, documentation, manuals, End User License Agreements, and Certificates of Authenticity is a good idea if you want to donate the original software along with your old computers. Donation recipients must take responsibility for ensuring they abide by all license agreements for this software.
  • Can I donate my computer to any organization and take it off my taxes?

  • No. Only approved non-profit organizations (NPOs) and entities such as schools, churches, hospitals and libraries qualify under the current tax code as eligible recipients of charitable donations. You can check the IRS Charities search page to find out if the organization you want to donate computers to is an eligible NPO. Or, simply request proof of non-profit status from the organization that is accepting your donation. They should have documentation on file if they are a legitimate NPO and their tax ID# should also be provided on your receipt or donation acknowledgement letter.

    Here is a list of some of our favorite charitable organizations which accept computer donations.

  • How much can I take deduct from taxes when I donate a computer?

  • The IRS expects you to determine the estimated current resale value of your equipment based on some good faith research. The charitable organization you donate your hard drive to will not place a dollar value on your donation - you have to do it yourself.

    You need to know what components you are donating and the system specs to make this determination. The SurErase USB key creates a record of this information when you use it to wipe your hard drive. You may use this documentation to compare your system to other, similar systems that are being sold on sites such as usedcomputer.com or eBay to come up with a reasonable estimated value for your equipment for tax reporting purposes.