Charitable gifts of art
Art Donation Appraisals
Appraisals for gifts of art to museums and nonprofits, written to USPAP standards and coordinated with your CPA and the receiving institution.
Document your gift properly
Giving a work of art to a museum, university or charity can be deeply rewarding and may carry tax benefits. Those benefits depend on documentation. For most gifts of art worth more than $5,000, the IRS expects a qualified appraisal that meets specific requirements, prepared by a qualified appraiser.
I prepare donation appraisals to USPAP standards and work with your CPA and the receiving institution so the paperwork lines up. My experience includes deaccessions from the Appleton Museum collection, so I know how institutions acquire and release works.
What you receive
- A written appraisal stating fair market value as of the date of the gift
- Description, condition, provenance notes and photographs of the work
- Comparable sales and the method behind the value
- The appraiser details your CPA needs for Form 8283 [CONFIRM qualified-appraiser status]
Timing a donation appraisal
The appraisal generally must be signed within 60 days before the gift and received before your return is filed. Talk to your CPA, the institution and me a few months ahead, especially for year-end gifts.
Who this is for
- Collectors giving a work to a museum, university or other qualified charity
- Families placing inherited works with institutions
- CPAs and planned-giving officers coordinating a gift
This page is general information, not tax advice. Ask your tax advisor which rules apply to you.
Process
How a donation appraisal works
Send photos and details
Upload a few photos and tell me what the appraisal is for. A phone camera is fine.
Get a written quote
Fees are quoted upon request, based on the scope of the work. You approve the quote before anything starts.
Inspection and research
I examine the work in person or review its documentation, then research comparable sales.
Receive your report
You get a written, USPAP-compliant report with descriptions, photographs, method and the value conclusion.
Credentials
Experience with institutions
I research and write every appraisal myself.
- ISA memberMember of the International Society of Appraisers
- USPAP-compliantReports follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice
- 15+ yearsIn the international fine art market, with thousands of works appraised
- Florida-wideBased in Sarasota and serving collectors across the state
Selected engagements
- Brokered the complete collection of Lou Pritchett, former President of Procter & Gamble
- Placed masterworks from the Eli Wilner collection
- Sold the Estate of William Ten Eyck, CFO of Pontiac
- Handled key deaccessions from the Appleton Museum collection
FAQ
Donation appraisal questions
When do I need a qualified appraisal for donated art?
Under IRS rules, a deduction for donated property, including art, valued at more than $5,000 generally requires a qualified appraisal by a qualified appraiser and a completed Form 8283. For art valued at $20,000 or more, a copy of the signed appraisal must generally be attached to the return. Your tax advisor can confirm what applies to you.
How close to the gift must the appraisal be?
IRS rules generally require the appraisal to be signed no earlier than 60 days before the date of the gift, and to be received before the due date (with extensions) of the return claiming the deduction. Plan the timing with your CPA.
Can the museum or charity appraise the work?
No. The receiving organization cannot be the appraiser for your deduction, and neither can the donor or the person who sold you the work, with limited exceptions.
Is Austin an IRS qualified appraiser?
[IRS QUALIFIED APPRAISER STATUS PLACEHOLDER: confirm the education, designation and experience requirements are met before publishing this page]
Can the fee be based on the value of the gift?
No. The IRS disallows appraisals whose fee is a percentage of the appraised value. My fees are quoted upon request, based on scope, and confirmed in writing in advance.
Planning a gift of art?
Start early. Send the details and I will quote a timeline that fits your tax year.