01
Household Goods & Personal Property
We appraise gifted jewelry, antiques, collections, and household contents at fair market value for Form 709, using the IRS definition the gift is reported on.
DEFENSIBLE, USPAP-COMPLIANT APPRAISAL REPORTS — QUALIFIED FOR THE IRS, PROBATE COURTS, AND ESTATE ATTORNEYS.
AppraiseItNow Appraises Personal Property, Fine Art, Vehicles, Boats, and Business Interests Given as Gifts
02
Fine Art & Paintings
We value gifted artwork at fair market value in a qualified appraisal that meets IRS requirements, for gifts between family members and into trusts.
03
Vehicles & Boats
We establish the fair market value of a gifted car, classic vehicle, or boat on the date of the gift, so the amount reported above the annual exclusion is supported.
04
Business Interests
We value gifted shares, LLC units, and partnership interests, with discounts for lack of control and marketability supported by evidence specific to the interest.
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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.
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.
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.
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
- Fair market valueThe IRS definition of value that Form 706, probate courts, and gift tax filings apply
International Society of AppraisersAccredited Member
Certified Appraisers Guild of AmericaCertified Appraiser
American Society of AppraisersAccredited Senior Appraiser- ABV®AICPAAccredited in Business Valuation
- CFA®CFA InstituteChartered Financial Analyst
The Appraisal FoundationAuthorized by Congress as the source of appraisal standards
About AppraiseItNow's Gift Tax Appraisal Services
A gift tax appraisal establishes the fair market value of property transferred to another party without receiving full market value in return. When gifts exceed the 2025 annual exclusion of $19,000 per recipient, or when closely held assets are involved, a qualified appraisal becomes critical to support Form 709 filings and protect against IRS valuation challenges. Adequate disclosure, including a thorough description, valuation methodology, and supporting documentation, starts the three-year statute of limitations and shields transfers from indefinite IRS scrutiny.
AppraiseItNow delivers gift tax appraisals online and onsite across the United States, covering personal property, equipment and machinery, artwork, business interests, boats, and automobiles. Our mission is to deliver defensible, USPAP-compliant valuations with exceptional speed, professionalism, and client service.
What Does AppraiseItNow Appraise for Gift Tax?
AppraiseItNow covers every major asset class that commonly requires valuation for gift tax purposes, including:
- Personal Property – jewelry, antiques, furniture, coins, collectibles, and household goods
- Equipment & Machinery – medical equipment, restaurant equipment, manufacturing machinery, and technology assets
- Fine Art – paintings, prints, sculpture, photography, and mixed media
- Business Interests – LLCs, S-corps, partnerships, fractional interests, and privately held stock
- Boats & Watercraft – sailboats, powerboats, yachts, jet skis, and personal watercraft
- Automobiles & Vehicles – cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, trailers, and classic vehicles
Who Does AppraiseItNow Serve?
- Individuals transferring high-value assets to family members and seeking IRS-defensible valuations for Form 709 filings
- Estate planning attorneys structuring gifts of business interests, collectibles, or other non-liquid assets
- CPAs and tax advisors who need qualified appraisals to support gift tax returns and protect clients from valuation penalties
- Wealth managers and financial planners coordinating asset transfers as part of broader estate and tax strategies
- Trustees and executors managing gifting programs that involve tangible property, artwork, or privately held business stakes
What gift tax clients say we are known for
Gift Tax Appraisal Reviews: “I will forever be in your debt” and “AppraiseItNow was amazing”
- Answering fast, and staying reachable while the work runs“They were responsive and timely from start to finish” Julia P.Mentioned in 5 reviews
- Being the appraiser they come back to“I highly recommend their services” Bruce A.Mentioned in 3 reviews
- Delivering the finished report ahead of the deadlineMentioned in 2 reviews
Across 8 published gift tax 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, that they would hire us again, and how fast the finished report arrived.
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!
Gary L., Rahway, NJ · Car Appraisal for Gift Tax
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!
Brandy F., Mentor, OH · Recreational Vehicle Appraisal for Probate
It is a pleasure to work with Joe and his team. They communicate every step along the way and made the process simple for us to have more than 35 firearms appraised. It was all done in a timely manner and the final report is easy to understand. I highly recommend their services.
Bruce A. , Saint Johns, FL · Gun 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!
Julia P., Philadelphia, PA · Technology Equipment Appraisal for Divorce
AppraiseItNow was amazing! My father passed with a large volume of artwork & I had no idea what it was worth. Their team was incredibly helpful and quick to respond with text and/or email to any questions as well as a status update along the way. Highly recommend!
Christina W., Bend, OR · Artwork Appraisal for Probate
I needed to have a car appraised, AppraiseItNow got it done quickly and was super responsive about my questions. Whole thing was done online, very easy!
Lauren C., Brooklyn, NY · Car Appraisal for Probate
Appraisals for Gift Tax, Near You
AppraiseItNow offers online appraisals and onsite appraisals in all 50 states.
Browse all states by region
Featured Gift Tax Appraisal Case Studies
Valuing a Motorsports Legacy: Estate Planning for a Closely Held Racing Business
March 16, 2026
One share in a forty-year-old motorcycle racing company with growing revenue and negative earnings, valued for estate planning.
Valuing a Minority Partnership Stake for Estate Planning
March 16, 2026
A minority stake in a California industrial distribution partnership, after adding back related-party pay to see what the business really earned.
Vintage Aluminum Boat Appraisal for Gift Tax
June 30, 2025
A vintage Mirrocraft aluminum boat gifted within a family, with the exact model traced through the original catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions on Gift Tax Appraisals
What is adequate disclosure on Form 709, and why does it matter?
Adequate disclosure requires a thorough asset description, the valuation method used, and a qualified appraisal as supporting documentation. Filing with this level of detail starts the three-year IRS statute of limitations on that gift. Without it, the valuation remains open to challenge indefinitely.
What penalties apply if a gifted asset is undervalued?
Undervaluing a gifted asset can result in IRS penalties of 20% of the underpaid tax for negligence, rising to 40% for a gross valuation misstatement. Closely held business interests such as LLCs and partnerships are among the most heavily scrutinized asset types. A qualified appraisal is the most effective way to document and defend the reported value.
Does the appraisal need to reflect the value on the exact date of the gift?
Yes. The appraisal must establish fair market value as of the exact date the gift was made, which serves as the valuation date for IRS compliance and Form 709 reporting.
What documentation is required for gifted artwork over $20,000?
For artwork valued over $20,000, the IRS expects a complete signed appraisal attached to the return. That appraisal should include a full description covering size, subject, medium, artist, and date, along with acquisition cost, provenance, authenticity documentation, and professional photographs.
What happens if the disclosure on Form 709 is incomplete or vague?
Incomplete or vague disclosure means the three-year statute of limitations never begins, leaving the IRS free to audit that gift at any point in the future. A qualified appraisal with a detailed asset description and clear methodology is the most reliable way to ensure the clock starts running.