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California estate tax appraisers providing USPAP-compliant valuations of personal property, equipment and machinery, fine art, business interests, boats and watercraft, and automobiles and vehicles for estate tax filings (Form 706). AppraiseItNow provides credentialed, USPAP-compliant estate tax appraisals across California, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.
IRS Form 706 Qualified…I am looking forward to utilizing AppraiseItNow for many years to come
DEFENSIBLE, USPAP-COMPLIANT APPRAISAL REPORTS — QUALIFIED FOR THE IRS, CALIFORNIA PROBATE COURTS, AND ESTATE ATTORNEYS.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Business Valuation Expert & Appraiser
Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers. Raymond values capital stock, business enterprises, stock options, and intangible assets.
Client Success Manager
Manages each engagement from the first enquiry to the delivered report, and keeps you posted at every step along the way.
International Society of AppraisersAccredited Member
Certified Appraisers Guild of AmericaCertified Appraiser
American Society of AppraisersAccredited Senior Appraiser
The Appraisal FoundationAuthorized by Congress as the source of appraisal standardsCalifornia has no state estate tax, but large estates must still comply with federal requirements, including filing IRS Form 706 when the gross estate exceeds the federal exemption threshold, which stands at $13.61 million for 2024. Executors and attorneys across California rely on AppraiseItNow for qualified, date-of-death valuations that satisfy IRS standards and withstand scrutiny. Our appraisers meet IRS qualified appraiser requirements, helping estates avoid the 20% to 40% penalties that can result from valuation understatements.
AppraiseItNow serves clients throughout the state with both remote and onsite appraisal options, making it easy to get accurate valuations regardless of where the estate assets are located. Our appraisal services in California cover everything from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Sacramento, San Diego, and beyond.
AppraiseItNow covers the full range of non-cash assets commonly found in California estates, including:
AppraiseItNow works with estate attorneys, executors, trustees, CPAs, and family members managing probate and federal estate tax filings across California, from tech entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley to entertainment industry estates in Los Angeles and agricultural business owners in the Central Valley.
What California clients say we are known for
Across 9 published California appraisal reviews, every one from a client who paid AppraiseItNow for an appraisal, the three things they raise most often are how quickly we answer, how fast the finished report arrived, and that they would hire us again.
The estate appraisal for our car and rugs was handled quickly and efficiently. The process was smooth and hassle-free.
Personal Property Appraisal for Estate Tax
From the start they were very responsive, price competitive, and had a quick turn around time. Thank you so much to Joe who was very sweet in responding to my emails; I am looking forward to utilizing AppraiseItNow for many years to come.
My mother passed away in August 2023 and unfortunately, in the state of Ohio, motorhomes are not transferable on death and was going to have to go through probate court. After speaking with an attorney, I was informed I needed an appraisal. Due to my hectic work schedule and family schedule, I was looking for someone who could do this online, without needing an appointment. After a quick Google search I came across Joe at AppraiseItNow Inc., and instantly felt relief. A quick inquiry led to a few emails back and forth, a very reasonable cost to have the motorhome appraised and all the information needed to submit to get this taken care of. Joe was patient, worked with me as it was going to take a few weeks before I was able to supply the needed images/documents and payment, and less than a week later of submitting it I received the appraisal. His communication is next to none! He responds very quickly, is kind and extremely helpful. If I need anything in the future, I will not hesitate to reach out again! Thank you again! I will forever be in your debt!
Recreational Vehicle Appraisal for Probate
I highly recommend the AppraiseItNow team. They were responsive and timely from start to finish, and the whole process was seamless. The final report was super detailed and gave me all the information I needed. I am so glad I hired them and would recommend them to anyone needing an appraisal!
Technology Equipment Appraisal for Divorce
I recently used AppraiseItNow for a valuation of a 2001 Corvette needed for 2024 Gift Tax purposes. It was straightforward and relatively simple even for someone not too tech savvy like me!
Car Appraisal for Gift Tax
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.
Machinery & Equipment Appraisal
Within four months after letters are first issued to the personal representative. California combines the inventory and the appraisal into a single document filed with the Superior Court clerk under Probate Code Division 7, Part 3, and if additional property is discovered later, a supplemental Inventory and Appraisal is due within four months of that discovery.
Probate Code § 8900 authorizes three options: the personal representative, the court-appointed probate referee, or an independent expert. The probate referee is a distinctive California institution, a licensed appraiser serving as an officer of the Superior Court in each county who values inventoried assets including art, jewelry, collectibles, and equipment.
Yes. Under Probate Code § 8908, the personal representative or any beneficiary may demand the appraisal report or backup data behind any item's value, and the referee must provide it without charge. The statute also allows the valuation to be formally contested, with court-set fees only when additional justification work is required.
Because statutory compensation is calculated from them. Probate Code § 10810(b) defines the value of the estate for fee purposes as the total appraised value in the inventory, plus gains over appraisal value on sales, minus losses, with no reduction for encumbrances. Every dollar of appraised personal property value flows directly into the fee base and into the estate's federal Form 706 schedules.