These questions concerning tax law are rather complex and I am not sure we should be hearing any particular advice other than that a CPA should be consulted regarding the specifics. There is an abundance of tax law & caselaw about this - timing of when title of passage is recorded and the specifics of moving donation - perhaps the gift was recorded, but the item needed to be dismantled before it was moved - lots of details suggest that only professionals in this area should offer advice. As a reference librarian this kind of question suggests how detailed reference work can become and sometimes a general response may be misleading. Julia Gelfand, UC-Irvine Libraries On Fri, 17 Nov 1995, John Handley wrote: > I have dealt with this question in the past. The whole point of > the question is determined by what date the museum takes > "possession," of the piece. Posession can mean a couple of > things, but it must include physical possession as well. If you > have a letter from the donor stating their intent to give the > piece in question, or if you have a log of dates and times when > you have spoken to the donor about this donation, that record > helps to show the donors intent. If the donor wants to take a tax > deduction in '95, then the museum (or a museum representative such > as a lawyer) must have physical possession of the piece by Dec. > 31. The deed of gift can then state that the gift was made on such > and such a date, but signed after that date. > > At my museum we use the date we physically receive a piece as the > donation date. In some cases, the deed is not signed for a couple > of months. Our deed of gift forms always state this date, for > example: > > Objects (95.001.00001 - 95.001.00002) were donated to the Museum > on November 1, 1995, by John Doe. > > Then each item is itemized, and the deed signed and dated by both > parties. We also keep all letters, etc., as well as a log sheet > recording telephone conversations, letters, etc. > > Hope this is helpful. > > John Handley > San Francisco >