Its not so much a matter
of being wrong as a matter of protection for you and your institution. You
need to stay out of the loop when it comes to appraisals so that any dispute on
the deduction taken by the donor is between the donor and the IRS. Even
the appearance of wrong-doing on your part can have the IRS knocking at your
door and that is something you don't want to happen. The best way to avoid
the problem is to establish a written policy that no appraisals will be given
under any circumstances and make sure that your staff understands and adheres to
the policy.
Jeff Tenuth
Indiana State
Museum
Hello,
I have a question regarding Museums and appraisals.
I know were are not to give appraisals on donations but, I am having
trouble convincing some of the staff that we should not be paying for a donors
appraisal and then letting the donor write the amount off on their taxes.
Am I wrong in thinking this???
I am stuck between a rock and a hard place at the moment because a staff
member told the donor we would have the items appraised and let them know.
It isn't the first time it has happened and I need hard facts to back up my
thoughts that this is wrong. HELP
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