You can sell those items. I do not suggest trying to look up the rules yourself they are a royal pain in the but to put it politely. The code section you want is probably I.R.C. section 170. As long as the property was something that the museums was "reasonably anticipated to use" then the donation was okay and the full deduction can be taken. In your case since the donation was made over 10 years ago you are free to dispose of it as you chose. Even if it was nothing associated with the museum you should be fine; think of those places that get donated cars and auction them off. . I am pretty sure there is not much of a problem in disposing of donated property soon after you get it but let me look it up before I say yes.
So go ahead and auction the stuff off Susan you are Fine

Steven Bush

Susan Floyd wrote:

A small local history museum has decided that its print shop presses and accessories are taking up too much space and presenting safety issues. The presses were part of an estate donation to the museum in 1991. According to the collections policy artifacts may be deaccessioned through "gift, exchange or sale to another tax-exempt public institution or sold at an advertised public sale or auction." My question is: if there has been a tax deduction by the donor at the time the estate closed, is it illegal to sell these items for profit at all? "Attention shall be given to IRS rules and regulations regarding exchange or resale of items donated to the Society for tax advantage." How can I find out about this clause?
Any comments would be appreciated.
Susan Floyd

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