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Illinois 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 Illinois, including Chicago, Springfield, and Rockford.
DEFENSIBLE, USPAP-COMPLIANT APPRAISAL REPORTS — QUALIFIED FOR THE IRS, ILLINOIS 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 standardsAppraiseItNow provides estate tax appraisal services for Illinois estates, supporting accurate asset valuation as of the date of death for both federal and state filing requirements. Illinois imposes its own estate tax on estates exceeding $4 million, a threshold well below the federal level, making qualified appraisals essential for many Illinois families. Executors must file Illinois Form 700 and, where applicable, IRS Form 706 within nine months of death, and defensible valuations are critical to avoiding penalties.
AppraiseItNow serves clients through both online and onsite appraisal options, making the process straightforward regardless of where assets are located. Our appraisers in Illinois are credentialed through recognized professional organizations and experienced with the full range of assets commonly found in Illinois estates.
AppraiseItNow covers all major asset classes that appear in Illinois estate tax proceedings, including:
AppraiseItNow works with executors, estate attorneys, trust officers, CPAs, and family representatives throughout Illinois who need qualified, USPAP-compliant appraisals to support estate tax filings and probate proceedings. We are particularly well-positioned to assist estates that include business interests, farm equipment, collectibles, fine art, or vehicles, which are common asset types in both urban and rural Illinois estates.
What Illinois clients say we are known for
Across 8 published Illinois 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.
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
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
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.
Mobile Home Appraisal
Estates over $4,000,000 must file an Illinois estate tax return, due nine months after the date of death. Because the federal exemption is far higher, an Illinois estate can owe state estate tax even when no federal Form 706 is required, so personal property appraisals often matter for the Illinois filing alone.
Illinois generally adopts the value finally determined for federal transfer tax purposes under 35 ILCS 405/5. That means a fair market value appraisal prepared to federal estate tax standards carries through to the state calculation, and we prepare date-of-death valuations of art, collectibles, vehicles, and business interests with that dual use in mind.
For an Illinois resident, real estate and tangible personal property physically situated in another state are excluded from Illinois tax situs; for a nonresident, only Illinois real estate and tangible personal property physically in Illinois are reached. The physical location of boats, vehicles, equipment, and artwork at death can therefore change the Illinois tax picture, which makes documenting where each item was kept part of the appraisal record.
Because Illinois applies no marginal relief at the threshold: practitioners note that an estate even one dollar over $4,000,000 is taxed on the full amount, not just the excess. A supportable appraisal of high-value personal property such as a collection or closely held business interest can determine whether the estate owes Illinois tax at all.
