★★★★★
Exceeded my expectations in every way! They were extremely prompt, incredibly friendly, and remarkably affordable.
Charitable Donation Appraisals
IRS-qualified appraisals prepared for tax deductions and Form 8283 filings. Get defensible fair market valuations for your non-cash charitable contributions of personal property, equipment, vehicles & boats, and business interests.
- USPAP-Compliant Qualified Appraisals
- IRS Form 8283 Part IV completion
- Fair market value for tax deduction compliance
What is a Qualified Appraisal for Charitable Donation and Tax Deduction Purposes?
A qualified appraisal is a formal valuation report that meets specific IRS requirements under Treasury Regulation Section 1.170A-17. When you claim a deduction of more than $5,000 for non-cash charitable contributions, the IRS requires a qualified appraisal prepared by a qualified appraiser to substantiate the claimed fair market value.
The appraisal must be prepared in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and include detailed information about the property, valuation methodology, and the appraiser's credentials. For donations exceeding $5,000, you must complete Section B of IRS Form 8283 and have your appraiser complete and sign Part IV (Appraiser Declaration).
Who Qualifies as a Qualified Appraiser?
Under IRS regulations, a qualified appraiser must meet several criteria:
- Hold recognized appraisal credentials or demonstrate required education and experience
- Regularly prepare appraisals for compensation
- Demonstrate competency in valuing the specific property type
- Provide their taxpayer identification number
- Not be the donor, donee, or a related party
- Not charge a fee based on a percentage of the appraised value
Legacy Donation Appraisers works with credentialed professionals holding recognized designations such as ISA (International Society of Appraisers), ASA (American Society of Appraisers), and AAA (American Society of Appraisers), ensuring your appraisal meets all IRS requirements.
Critical Timing Rules for Charitable Donation Appraisals
The IRS imposes strict timing requirements on qualified appraisals:
- 60-day rule: The appraisal must be performed no earlier than 60 days before the date of contribution
- Deadline: The appraisal must be completed no later than the due date (including extensions) of the tax return on which the deduction is first claimed
- Valuation date: The effective date of valuation must be the date of the charitable contribution
If your donation occurs outside the 60-day window from the appraisal date, the report may need to be updated to reflect the correct valuation effective date. Planning ahead ensures compliance and avoids potential issues with the IRS.
Legacy Donation Appraisers values personal property, fine art, vehicles & boats, equipment, and business interests for IRS Form 8283 reporting
Legacy Donation Appraisers provides IRS-qualified appraisals across all major asset categories for charitable tax deductions, including:
Personal Property Appraisals
Appraisals of furniture, jewelry, watches, collectibles, antiques, luxury goods, clothing, decorative arts, and household inventory.
Fine Art Appraisals
Appraisals of paintings, prints, sculpture, photography, and mixed media by Old Master, Impressionist, Modern, Post-War, and Contemporary artists.
Machinery & Equipment Appraisals
Appraisals of manufacturing equipment, construction machinery, restaurant equipment, medical devices, agricultural equipment, and specialized tools.
Business Valuations
Appraisals of privately held business interests, including S Corps, C Corps, LLCs, ESOP-owned companies, and partnership interests.
Inventory Appraisals
Appraisals of retail and wholesale inventory, including food inventory, clothing and apparel inventory, raw materials, and finished goods.
Bullion & Precious Metal Appraisals
Appraisals of gold, silver, platinum, bullion bars, investment-grade coins, and precious metal holdings.
Vehicle Appraisals
Appraisals of cars, trucks, SUVs, classic vehicles, boats, RVs, motorcycles, and specialty vehicles.
Cryptocurrency Appraisals
Appraisals of digital assets including Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, NFTs, and other blockchain-based holdings.
Appraisal Cost and Process
Cost and Process for Charitable Donation Appraisals
Pricing for qualified appraisals varies based on several factors:
- Asset type and complexity: Different asset categories require different levels of expertise and research
- Number of items: Multiple items or collections may require additional time and documentation
- Reporting requirements: Section B reporting, artwork over $20,000, and other specific requirements affect fees
- Research depth: Complex or illiquid assets may require additional market analysis and documentation
We provide transparent fixed-fee quotes prior to engagement so you understand costs upfront. The typical process includes:
- Initial consultation and documentation review
- Research and market analysis
- On-site inspection (if required for the asset type)
- Preparation of USPAP-compliant appraisal report
- Completion of Form 8283 Part IV (Appraiser Declaration)
- Final delivery of all documentation for your tax filing
Turnaround time depends on asset complexity and documentation completeness, with many standard assignments completed within several business days.
5-Star Service
- ★★★★★
Very helpful and professional! I have searched for appraisers before and it's been hard to find someone who can manage complex projects. The items I donated covered many SKUs and Joe has managed to help me value them quickly and accurately! The team provided me with all necessary documents so I could submit with my tax return. Very pleasant experience with him and highly recommend!
- ★★★★★
I'd have given them 10 stars if it were possible. They were quick to reply, incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, professional and managed to make it fairly simple. I highly recommend them!
- ★★★★★
The best company I was lucky to find by accident. Their customer service is OUTSTANDING and a welcome surprise in today's world where good customer service is an anomaly! They returned an appraisal in a timely manner, it was clear, concise, cost-effective and exactly what I needed. My CPA is also thrilled to have them as an accredited appraisal service he can use for other clients. I rarely leave reviews, but I could not pass giving them 5 stars and I'd give 10 if possible!
- ★★★★★
We were very satisfied with the results - fast and efficient communication, understanding our company's needs, on-time delivery of the report, as well as reasonable price point. Highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
Professional & responsive. The report was quite thorough as well.
Where we work
Nationwide Charitable Donation Appraisal Services
We provide on-site and remote appraisal services across the following locations.
New York City
NY- New York County
- Kings County
- Queens County
- Bronx County
- Richmond County
Indiana
IN- Marion County
- Lake County
- Allen County
- Hamilton County
- St. Joseph County
Florida
FL- Miami-Dade County
- Broward County
- Palm Beach County
- Orange County
- Hillsborough County
New Jersey
NJ- Bergen County
- Essex County
- Middlesex County
- Hudson County
- Union County
Maryland
MD- Montgomery County
- Prince Georges County
- Baltimore County
- Anne Arundel County
- Howard County
Houston
TX- Harris County
- Fort Bend County
- Montgomery County
Las Vegas
NV- Clark County
Washington
DC- District of Columbia
Chicago
IL- Cook County
From Our Blog
Charitable Donation Appraisal Insights
Guides on IRS Form 8283, donation deduction rules, art and ticket donations, and the appraisal penalties to avoid.
What Is a Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT) and When Do You Need an Appraisal?
A charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT) pays you or another beneficiary a variable income stream for life or up to 20 years, then leaves the remainder to charity. This guide explains the IRC Section 664 payout rules and exactly when funding a CRUT with property triggers a qualified appraisal and IRS Form 8283.
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Sports & Event Ticket Appraisal for Charitable Donation, IRS Form 8283
Donating sports or event tickets to charity can generate a meaningful tax deduction, but the IRS requires a qualified appraisal for donations over $5,000 and strict compliance with Form 8283. This guide covers the exact thresholds, how fair market value is determined, what a compliant appraisal report must contain, and the deadlines you cannot miss.
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Best ItsDeductible Alternatives for Tracking Non-Cash Charitable Donations
Intuit has retired ItsDeductible, leaving donors without their go-to tool for valuing non-cash charitable contributions. This guide covers the best alternatives, from dedicated tracking apps like Deductible Duck and DeductAble to free charity guides and IRS-required qualified appraisals, so you can protect every deduction you claim.
Read more →
IRS Promoter Penalties in Charitable Donation Appraisals: IRC 6700, 6701, and 6695A Explained
IRS promoter penalties for charitable donations can fall on appraisers, not just promoters, under IRC sections 6700, 6701, and 6695A. This guide breaks down how each penalty is triggered, how the math works, and what separates a defensible appraisal from a costly one.
Read more →
IRS Art Donation Deductions and the Dirty Dozen: What Collectors Need to Know in 2025-2026
The IRS has placed art donation deductions on its 2026 Dirty Dozen list, signaling aggressive enforcement against inflated valuations and promoter-driven schemes. This guide covers the exact thresholds, appraisal requirements, penalty exposure, and what to do if you have a past or planned art donation.
Read more →
Charitable Donation Appraisals: The Definitive IRS Form 8283 Guide by Legacy Donation Appraisers
A practical guide to understanding when a qualified appraisal is legally required — and how to protect your deduction
Read more →
Frequently Asked Question
See all frequently asked questions here
Do I need an appraisal for a charitable donation?
A qualified appraisal is required when you claim a deduction of more than $5,000 for non-cash property other than certain publicly traded securities. For donations under $5,000, you may not need a formal appraisal but should still maintain documentation supporting your claimed value. The appraisal must be prepared by a qualified appraiser and meet IRS requirements under Treasury Regulation Section 1.170A-17.
What is a qualified appraisal for the IRS?
A qualified appraisal must meet specific IRS requirements: be prepared in accordance with USPAP standards, completed by a qualified appraiser, include a detailed property description and condition, state the valuation effective date, explain the valuation methodology, provide the appraiser's credentials and competency declaration, state the fair market value as defined under IRS regulations, and be prepared for income tax purposes. The appraisal must also be performed within 60 days before the donation date.
How much does a charitable donation appraisal cost?
Cost varies based on asset type, number of items, complexity, and reporting requirements. Factors include asset category and valuation complexity, number of items being appraised, Section B reporting requirements, need for additional documentation such as artwork valued at $20,000 or more, and business or illiquid asset analysis. We provide transparent fixed-fee quotes prior to engagement so clients understand costs upfront.
What are the timing requirements for a charitable donation appraisal?
The appraisal must be performed no earlier than 60 days before the date of contribution and no later than the due date including extensions of the tax return on which the deduction is first claimed. If the donation occurs outside the 60-day window from the appraisal date, the report may need to be updated to reflect the correct valuation effective date.
Who qualifies as a qualified appraiser?
Under IRS regulations, a qualified appraiser must hold recognized appraisal credentials or meet required education and experience standards, regularly prepare appraisals for compensation, demonstrate competency in valuing the specific property type, provide their taxpayer identification number, not be the donor, donee, or a related party, and not charge a fee based on a percentage of the appraised value.
What is IRS Form 8283?
IRS Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions, is used to report non-cash donations exceeding $500. When the claimed deduction exceeds $5,000, Section B must be completed and supported by a qualified appraisal. The form documents the property description, acquisition and donation dates, manner of acquisition, fair market value, donee acknowledgment, and qualified appraiser declaration.
What assets can be appraised for charitable donation?
We prepare qualified appraisals for a wide range of donated assets including personal property, fine art, machinery and equipment, business interests, inventory, bullion and precious metals, vehicles, and cryptocurrency. Each asset type requires specialized expertise and market knowledge to determine accurate fair market value.
Do you offer rush appraisal services?
Yes, we offer expedited appraisal services to help donors and advisors meet IRS filing deadlines, including support for Form 8283 Section B. Rush availability depends on asset type, complexity, and documentation readiness, so early coordination is recommended.
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