How to Donate Old Eyeglasses for a Tax Deduction

Updated August 18th, 2025 – Whether you’ve abandoned your eyeglasses for a more fashion-forward pair or have switched to wearing contacts full-time, don’t let your old glasses collect dust in a drawer – donate them to charity for a tax deduction! Instead of being one of the four million pairs of eyeglasses that end up in American landfills each year, your donated glasses can be repaired and given to a needy individual in a developing nation.

Many people who are switching from glasses to contacts might be wondering where to get started. If you’re looking for a reliable option, you can buy 1-Day Acuvue Moist contact lenses online, making the transition smooth and comfortable. For those with astigmatism, it’s also easy to order Acuvue Oasys 1-Day for Astigmatism contact lenses from trusted retailers, so your vision needs are fully covered while still contributing to a charitable cause.

Why donate your old eyeglasses?

Donating an old pair of eyeglasses is an easy way to help someone less fortunate whose quality of life is affected by their vision problems. 

The World Health Organization estimates 153 million people around the world have poor eyesight due to errors that can be corrected with prescription lenses. Nearly 700 million people around the world have to live with functional blindness, or the inability to see well enough to do basic everyday tasks such as reading, writing, or cooking, due to lack of access to affordable eyeglasses.

Donating your old pair of glasses is better than throwing it away. In doing so, you may even qualify for a tax deduction.

Steps in Donating Old Eyeglasses for Tax Deduction

If you’re interested in donating your old eyeglasses for tax purposes, here’s some tips.

1. Find a Qualified Charity

Eyeglasses, like other items, depreciate in value over time. You can’t deduct the original purchase price but can claim the fair market value—the amount a willing buyer would pay knowing all relevant details. Some organizations accepting eyeglass donations estimate this at about 20% of the original cost, so a $100 pair of glasses might be valued at $20. Consult the organization for assistance with valuation if needed. 

Tip: If you have any doubts about the status of your preferred organization, search the IRS Exempt Organizations Select Check, an online database of qualified charities.

2. Determine Fair Market Value

Your eyeglasses depreciate in value over time. As a result, you can’t write off the purchase price of your donated glasses. Instead, you can deduct only the fair market value, which is defined as the price a willing buyer would pay if all pertinent facts were known. 

Unfortunately, determining the fair market value of eyeglasses can be challenging since your prescription lenses are specific to you and your eyes. If the organization you’re donating to commonly accepts eyeglasses, they should be able to help you determine the fair market value of your eyeglasses. They may take a broad approach used on gently used items and use a 20% valuation rate, so a pair of eyeglasses that cost $100 may be valued at about $20.

3. Keep Your Receipt

The IRS requires that a record of all charitable donations be provided. If you drop your eyeglasses off at an unmanned recycling bin and the fair market value is less than $250, you may be able to get away without a receipt or written acknowledgement, but you should still make a written note of the time, place, organization and value of your donation. 

For donations valued at $250 or more, you must have a written acknowledgement from the charity, including a description of the donated item and its estimated value. Add a note on whether you received anything in return.

4. Report Correctly

When you file your taxes, you’ll need to use a Form 1040. Since it’s a non-cash donation, it should be reported on line 17 of the form, and combined with any cash donations on line 16. If the total value of your non-cash donations exceeds $500, you’ll have to also fill out Form 8283; this form shows the IRS exactly what you gave away. 

Tip: Remember, itemizing your deductions will only lower your tax bill if it exceeds your standard deduction.

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