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Computer Donation and Computer Donation answers
| Computers with Causes takes the guesswork out of the
whole Computer Donation process by offering easy to understand and useful
information throughout this website. Below we have written the most
common questions we have answered over the years relating to
computer
donations. Please do not hesitate to contact Computers with Causes through our
computer
donation contact page. |
What should you do
with your old computer?
Recycling your old computer with Computers with Causes is a great
way to get it into the hands of someone who can use it to the
benefit of those in your community. |
What computer
equipment is best suited for reuse?
Charitable donations of computer equipment that individuals or
companies would like to pass on directly to Computers with causes
should generally be no more than five years old, (in most cases) in
working condition, and Internet-capable. Up to five-year-old working
laptops and laser printers are in high demand, as are 17-inch or
larger working monitors, mice, keyboards, and cables. |
How can I maximize
the reuse potential of my computer system?
Donate your old computer to Computers with Causes within a few
months after buying your new one. For most people, it is unnecessary
to keep older computers around for parts or as a backup machine. The
effective reuse life of a computer is only two or three years, so
the sooner you get it back into the cycle, the more useful it can
be. |
Can my donations
be used as is or do they have to be refurbished or upgraded?
Almost all three-to-five-year-old working computers can be upgraded
to do the six things most people do with computers: Internet
browsing, e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and
finances. We often install bigger hard drives, more RAM, and often a
network card for computers going to charities or schools. Up to
three-year-old working computers are generally useful as-is. |
Where will my
reusable electronic products likely to go?
There are actually two streams of reuse. One is noncommercial or in
the form of direct use (Charitable programs) and the other is
commercial. Generally, Computers with Causes will utilize as many
reusable computers in the direct furtherance of our charitable
programs and those that we support. |
Can my
non-working computers serve as training
tools for students?
Yes. Your charitable donation to Computers with Causes may end up in
a school lab or community technology centers somewhere in the
community. |
Am I eligible for
a tax break if I donate my old
electronics?
Yes, if you donate it to a library, school, or a nonprofit program
such as Computers with Causes. The tax laws pertaining to this are
Section 170 of the Federal Income Tax Code, the New
Millennium Classrooms Act, and the 21st Century Classrooms Act.
Business donors can deduct the un-depreciated value of the computer,
and individuals can deduct the current market value of a computer.
Example: A computer and related software with a purchase price of
$3,000, valued at $500 at time of contribution, receives a $500
deduction on Schedule A. A written receipt must be received and Form
8283 should be attached to returns. The tax receipt that schools or
nonprofits provide should have your name on it, the name and
identifying number of the recipient organization, and the model and
type of equipment donated.
Recipients are not authorized to appraise the value of the
equipment. You are responsible for the determination of the value of
your donated equipment. |
If I have software
on my system and wish to leave it on the system,
do I need to include the licenses with
my system?
Yes. Although certainly not required, older computers work best with
older software, so it's incredibly useful to pass along any software
that goes with your older computer like restore CDs, documentation,
and any other software you won't use on your replacement equipment.
To make sure that the next user has access to software that goes
with computers legally, include the media (disks or CDs), manuals
and any papers that look like legal documents. The most important
ones are called End User License Agreements and Certificates of
Authenticity. Note that the EULA may be an online document the user
clicked "Agree" to years ago. The Certificate of Authenticity may be
nothing more than some fancy printing with a serial number on the
cover of the basic User Manual (if the system came preloaded, as
many now do). |
What is the real
story on myths about reuse -- do
systems get dumped on schools that then have to dispose of outdated
materials? Do such systems really get shipped to China for
dismantling in unsafe conditions?
Computers with Causes shall dispose and recycle all obsolete and
non-viable equipment utilizing a “zero landfill” procedure in which
items are de-assembled to their component level (circuit board,
glass, metal, plastic) for recycling and re-use. |
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