Hi Elizabeth

This is probably going to get many different responses, but here's one from
our donations and planned giving officer ... (also a tax & estate lawyer!).

"Depends on the method of shipment. If the shipper is considered an agent of
the sender (FedEx, UPS, etc. ... i.e. the sender can recall the shipment at
any time prior to delivery...) the deduction is taken in the year it
arrives. If the shipper is an agent of receiving party (USPS ... i.e. can't
recall shipment once shipper has taken possession) the deduction is be taken
in the year it was handed to the shipper and your paperwork should reflect
that date."

Randy Heise
Information Technology Manager
The High Desert Museum

-----Original Message-----
From: Elizabeth Peters [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2004 7:32 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: donor tax deduction


Hello,

I'm new to the museum profession and need some advice on a donor wanting to
take a tax deduction for an object that arrived in January 2004 but had been
accessioned in December 2003.

My museum accessioned a sculpture from a donor in Colorado in the beginning
of December 2003.  The donor did not have the object shipped until December
28th.  The object arrived the first week of January.  I didn't think there
would be a problem because the object left the donor's care before the end
of the year.  The object was appraised in November but the curator did not
sign the appraisal until we received the object in January.  Likewise, I did
not send a deed of gift form until we had the object.  The donor and his
accountant are concerned that the IRS will not allow him to take the
deduction for last year because the 8283 in dated in January.

Any suggestions????

I appreciate any advice or suggestions you can offer.

Thank you,
Liz Peters
Collections Manager
Lakeview Museum of Arts & Sciences
Peoria, IL

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