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Business Interests
We value the target company or the ownership stake changing hands, so buyers, sellers and their advisors negotiate from a supported number rather than a rule of thumb.
DEFENSIBLE, USPAP-COMPLIANT APPRAISAL REPORTS — QUALIFIED FOR THE IRS, AUDITORS, AND THE COURTS.
Business Interests, Machinery, Equipment, and Inventory AppraiseItNow Values for Mergers and Acquisitions
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Machinery & Equipment
We appraise the machinery, vehicles and other fixed assets included in a deal, giving both sides a defensible basis for the purchase price allocation.
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Business Inventory
We value the stock on hand at closing, from raw materials to finished goods, so the working capital adjustment rests on an independent valuation.
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Joe Kattan
Owner & CEO
Joe founded AppraiseItNow to make a certified, USPAP-compliant appraisal as simple to order as anything else online. A former Bain & Company strategy consultant, Joe leads the entire team and specializes in strategy, growth, and the firm's tech capabilities.
Justin Ramirez
Business Valuation Expert & Appraiser
ASA, ABV, and CFA charterholder. Since 2016 Justin has valued businesses for estate and gift tax, purchase price allocations, fairness opinions, lending, and buy-sell agreements, across manufacturing, services, retail, and pre-revenue biotech.
Raymond Ghelardi
Business Valuation Expert & Appraiser
Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers. Raymond values capital stock, business enterprises, stock options, and intangible assets.
Anne Hay
Personal Property Appraiser
ISA Accredited Member with 30 years in the trade, from running estate sales and an auction gallery to appraising luxury apparel, furniture, artwork, antiques, and business assets, primarily for IRS tax filings.
Jason Dolph
Machinery & Equipment Appraiser
Third-generation auctioneer and CAGA Certified Appraiser with more than 20 years valuing machinery, equipment, vehicles, business assets, and estates for banks, attorneys, and trustees across the Carolinas.
Ashley Innes
Personal Property Appraiser
ISA Accredited Member specializing in Asian art, with a Master's from SOAS and a Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art. Ashley chairs the ISA's Antiques, Furnishings, and Decorative Arts committee and appraises for charitable donation, insurance, and equitable distribution.
Marnie Erkelens
Vehicle Appraiser
CAGA Certified Appraiser since 2014, covering vehicles, boats, equipment, fine art, and collectibles. A classic-car restoration background informs her vehicle work, with reports prepared for insurance, divorce, and charitable contributions.
Aron Blue
Client Success Manager
Manages each engagement from the first enquiry to the delivered report, and keeps you posted at every step along the way.
- USPAPWritten to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice
- Rev. Rul. 59-60 and ASC 820The valuation framework the IRS, auditors, and courts test a business value against
American Society of AppraisersAccredited Senior Appraiser- ABV®AICPAAccredited in Business Valuation
- CFA®CFA InstituteChartered Financial Analyst
International Society of AppraisersAccredited Member
Certified Appraisers Guild of AmericaCertified Appraiser
The Appraisal FoundationAuthorized by Congress as the source of appraisal standards
About AppraiseItNow's Mergers & Acquisitions Appraisal Services
Mergers and acquisitions appraisals establish the fair market value of business assets for purchase price allocation (PPA), a requirement under IRC Section 1060 whenever a group of assets constituting a trade or business changes hands. Both buyer and seller must file IRS Form 8594 with their federal tax returns for the transaction year, reporting identical allocations across seven asset classes. Discrepancies between filings are a known audit trigger, making accurate, well-documented appraisals essential to protecting all parties. Financial reporting under ASC 805 adds a parallel obligation, requiring fair value allocations for business combinations.
AppraiseItNow delivers M&A appraisals online and onsite throughout the United States, covering equipment and machinery, business interests, and inventory across a wide range of industries and transaction sizes. Our mission is to deliver defensible, USPAP-compliant valuations with exceptional speed, professionalism, and client service.
What Does AppraiseItNow Appraise for Mergers & Acquisitions?
AppraiseItNow covers every major asset class that commonly appears in mergers and acquisitions transactions, including:
- Equipment & Machinery – medical equipment, restaurant equipment, manufacturing machinery, and technology assets
- Business Interests – LLCs, S-corps, partnerships, fractional interests, and privately held stock
- Inventory – retail inventory, wholesale stock, raw materials, and finished goods
Who Does AppraiseItNow Serve?
- Business owners and founders selling a company or division through an asset purchase agreement
- Private equity firms and strategic acquirers requiring PPA support and ASC 805 compliance
- CPAs, tax attorneys, and M&A advisors coordinating Form 8594 filings for clients on either side of a deal
- CFOs and controllers at acquiring companies needing defensible fair value allocations for financial reporting
- Business brokers and transaction intermediaries facilitating deals involving tangible assets, inventory, or business interests
What clients say we are known for
AppraiseItNow Reviews: “They were wonderful to work with” and “The team was highly knowledgeable, helpful, and efficient”
- Being the appraiser they come back to“I highly recommend their appraisal services, especially for private companies” Steve R.Mentioned in 44 reviews
- Answering fast, and staying reachable while the work runsMentioned in 34 reviews
- Showing the research and the comparables behind the number“Joe and his team were very professional, fast and thorough” Tom D.Mentioned in 29 reviews
- Delivering the finished report ahead of the deadlineMentioned in 21 reviews
- Taking on items other appraisers had already turned downMentioned in 14 reviews
Across 80+ published AppraiseItNow reviews the picture is consistent: every one is from a client who paid us for an appraisal, and the three things they raise most often are that they would hire us again, how quickly we answer, and how much research is visible in the report.
Joe and his team were very professional, fast and thorough. Highly recommend
Tom D., Acushnet, MA · Machinery & Equipment Appraisal for Mergers & Acquisitions
Responsive, professional, first class deliverables -- especially considering that that the appraised assets are extremely complex financial assets with little by way of comps. The deliverable satisfied my accountants and advisers as being more than adequate to support the valuation needed to complete a conversion to a Roth IRA
Dave T., Ocala, FL · Business Valuation Appraisal for IRA Conversion
Affordable and reliable, with fast service and always responsive to my messages and questions. They delivered my appraisal on time without a glitch. 100% Recommended! I wouldn’t use anyone else for my business. Thank you, Joe — you’re great!
Ana R. , Lawrence, MA · Machinery & Equipment Appraisal for Bankruptcy Filing
The team was highly knowledgeable, helpful, and efficient. I highly recommend their appraisal services, especially for private companies.
Steve R., Northbrook, IL · Business Valuation Appraisal for IRA Conversion
AppraiseItNow did an outstanding job appraising my 1998 Bobcat Skid Steer and circa 2010 Yuchai Crawler Dozer. We could not locate a serial number on the dozer, and there were no online sales available, but they were still able to develop an accurate appraisal using known specifications for my dozer compared to other comparable make and model dozers. They diligently researched both equipment items and provided well-documented reports.
Bob H. , Dallas, TX · Machinery & Equipment Appraisal
I was in dire need of an appraisal for my father's mobile home, which he needed for Medicaid approval. I couldn’t find anyone to do it for a long time, but then I found this company online and decided to give them a try. I’m so glad I did. They were wonderful to work with. I sent the pictures, and within just a few days I received the appraisal. They are absolutely worth the money.
Kevin N. , Wellsburg, NY · Mobile Home Appraisal
Appraisals for Mergers & Acquisitions, Near You
AppraiseItNow offers online appraisals and onsite appraisals in all 50 states.
Browse all states by region
Featured Mergers & Acquisitions Appraisal Case Studies
Laboratory Equipment and Instrumentation Appraisal for Transactional Due Diligence
October 16, 2025
Precision lab instruments for a calibration business changing hands, with buyers needing to know remaining life as much as value.
Frequently Asked Questions on Mergers & Acquisitions Appraisals
What is the difference between fair market value and fair value in an M&A appraisal?
Fair market value for tax purposes under Rev. Proc. 93-12 excludes deferred taxes and transaction costs, prioritizing liquid assets before depreciables and goodwill. Fair value under ASC 805 for financial reporting includes deferred taxes and transaction costs and requires reconciliation with tax fair market value. Blending the two standards without reconciliation is a common and costly mistake.
What happens if the buyer and seller report different allocations on Form 8594?
Mismatched allocations between buyer and seller on Form 8594 trigger IRS audits that can expand beyond the deal to scrutinize the entire transaction. Both parties are required to file identical versions of the form with their federal tax returns for the transaction year. A well-documented appraisal with agreed-upon allocations is the most effective way to avoid this outcome.
Is there a minimum deal size that requires a purchase price allocation appraisal?
No. IRC Section 1060 applies to any sale of a group of assets constituting a trade or business, regardless of deal size. Any qualifying transfer triggers the purchase price allocation requirement.
When is Form 8594 due, and what should the purchase agreement include?
Form 8594 is due with the federal tax return for the transaction year, which is April 15 for calendar-year filers. Purchase agreements should include detailed asset descriptions, proposed IRS class allocations, valuation methods, appraiser credentials, and the basis for fair market value to ensure consistency between buyer and seller filings.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid on Form 8594?
- Mismatched buyer and seller allocations, which trigger audits
- Ignoring the ASC 805 business definition, which eliminates goodwill if the transfer does not qualify as a business
- Blending fair value and fair market value without reconciliation
- Using contingent appraiser fees, which the IRS disqualifies
- Overlooking Section 382 ownership change valuations when applicable