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Personal property appraisals in Connecticut for donations, estate tax, divorce, and probate, prepared in accordance with USPAP and IRS requirements. AppraiseItNow appraises antiques, jewelry, fine art, collectibles, and household contents across Connecticut, including Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford.
DEFENSIBLE, USPAP-COMPLIANT PERSONAL PROPERTY APPRAISAL REPORTS — QUALIFIED FOR THE IRS, CONNECTICUT COURTS, LENDERS, INSURERS, AND MORE.
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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.
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
The Appraisal FoundationAuthorized by Congress as the source of appraisal standardsAppraiseItNow provides fast, fully online and onsite personal property appraisals throughout Connecticut for individuals, families, estates, and organizations requiring independent valuations for donations, estate tax, divorce, and probate. Connecticut residents face a range of appraisal needs tied to the state's active estate planning environment, its $15 million state estate tax exclusion, IRS charitable contribution requirements under Form 8283, and municipal personal property tax compliance tied to annual grand list filings due November 1. Our credentialed appraisers deliver category-specific expertise across the full spectrum of movable assets, from fine art and antiques to jewelry, collectibles, and household furnishings.
Most personal property appraisals are completed remotely using photographs and supporting documentation, though onsite inspections are coordinated when required by collection size, item complexity, or the intended use of the report. Connecticut's proximity to the New York and Boston markets, combined with the concentration of high-net-worth households in Fairfield County and the Hartford financial corridor, creates consistent demand for professionally documented valuations that can withstand IRS scrutiny, probate court review, and municipal assessment appeals. We offer Fair Market Value (FMV), Replacement Value, and Actual Cash Value (ACV) appraisals for various intended uses.
Personal property is one of the broadest appraisal categories, covering virtually any movable asset that holds monetary value. AppraiseItNow appraises the following categories of personal property in Connecticut:
Connecticut's affluent suburbs, active estate sale market, and strong collector community mean appraisers regularly encounter high-value antiques, fine jewelry, and art collections requiring detailed market analysis. Whether the property consists of a single heirloom or an entire household estate, our appraisers apply rigorous methodology and current market data to produce defensible, purpose-specific reports.
When Connecticut residents donate personal property valued above $5,000 to a qualifying nonprofit or institution, the IRS requires a qualified appraisal completed by a qualified appraiser and reported on Form 8283. Donations exceeding $500,000 require the full appraisal to be submitted directly with the tax return. The applicable value standard for charitable donations is Fair Market Value, defined as the price a willing buyer would pay a willing seller with neither under compulsion and both having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts. Connecticut donors contributing art, antiques, jewelry, or collectibles to museums, universities, or community organizations rely on properly documented appraisals to support their deduction and avoid IRS disallowance.
Connecticut imposes its own state estate tax with an exclusion that rises to $15 million per person in 2026, aligning more closely with the federal exemption. Estates that include significant personal property, such as fine art, jewelry, antique collections, or luxury goods, require professional appraisals to accurately report asset values on both the federal Form 706 and the Connecticut estate tax return. The applicable value standard is Fair Market Value as of the date of death, or the alternate valuation date if elected. Accurate personal property appraisals help executors and estate attorneys avoid underreporting penalties and support equitable distribution among beneficiaries.
Connecticut family courts require full financial disclosure from both parties in divorce proceedings, and personal property often represents a significant portion of marital assets. Jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles, and household furnishings must be valued accurately to support equitable distribution. Depending on the purpose, appraisers may report Fair Market Value for division purposes or Replacement Value when insurance coverage is a consideration. A credentialed, independent appraisal provides both parties and their attorneys with a defensible, neutral valuation that can withstand court scrutiny.
Connecticut probate courts require an inventory and valuation of estate assets, including personal property, as part of the administration process. Executors and administrators are responsible for accurately reporting the value of movable assets such as furniture, jewelry, art, and collectibles. Professional appraisals support the probate filing, facilitate fair distribution among heirs, and provide documentation that protects the executor from liability. Fair Market Value is the standard applied in most probate contexts, reflecting what the property would realistically sell for in the open market at the time of the decedent's death.
Fair Market Value is the price at which property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under compulsion and both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts. FMV is the required standard for IRS charitable donation appraisals, federal and Connecticut estate tax filings, and most probate and divorce proceedings. In Connecticut, FMV is also the benchmark used by municipal assessors during revaluation cycles, which occur at least every five years, making it the most broadly applicable value type for personal property.
Replacement Value represents the cost to replace an item with one of similar kind, quality, and utility in the current retail market. This standard is most commonly used for insurance coverage purposes, helping Connecticut residents ensure their personal property is adequately protected against loss, theft, or damage. Replacement Value is typically higher than Fair Market Value because it reflects retail acquisition cost rather than a negotiated sale price between private parties.
Actual Cash Value is calculated as Replacement Value minus depreciation, accounting for the item's age, condition, and remaining useful life. ACV is commonly used in insurance claims settlements and certain municipal personal property tax assessments. Connecticut's statutory depreciation schedules for tangible personal property use acquisition cost as a starting point and apply specific depreciation rates over a property's useful life, making ACV a relevant standard for taxpayers navigating grand list compliance and assessment appeals.
Connecticut's personal property tax framework creates appraisal needs that are less common in other states. Business owners and lessors of personal property must file annual declarations with their municipal assessor by November 1, reporting acquisition costs and allowing the assessor to apply statutory depreciation schedules. When assessors increase valuations from prior grand lists, property owners may appeal to the local Board of Assessment Appeals, with deadlines typically falling around February 20 each year. High-value properties exceeding $1 million may bypass the Board and proceed directly to Superior Court, where a professional appraisal filed within 120 days of the appeal is essential evidence.
Connecticut's statutory depreciation rules are rigid and specific. For personal property more than 20 years old, a minimum assessed value of $500 applies regardless of actual condition, and 2026 legislative updates are expanding municipal options for exemptions and revised depreciation schedules. A proposed Connecticut Appeals Board for Property Valuation would require all five members to have significant experience in the appraisal or assessment of real and personal property, reflecting the state's recognition that personal property valuation demands specialized expertise. For Connecticut residents and businesses navigating these requirements, a professionally prepared, USPAP-compliant appraisal provides the documentation needed to support appeals, comply with filing obligations, and protect against assessment disputes.
AppraiseItNow serves individual collectors, families settling estates, donors making charitable contributions, and professional advisors including estate attorneys, CPAs, financial planners, and insurance professionals who require independent, defensible valuations for their clients throughout Connecticut.
What Connecticut clients say we are known for
Across 23 published Connecticut appraisal reviews, every one from a client who paid AppraiseItNow for an appraisal, the three things they raise most often are that they would hire us again, how much research is visible in the report, and how quickly we answer.
AppraiseItNow Inc. is the best company I was lucky to find by accident. I was looking for someone to appraise cabinets for a donation to charity. I asked for multiple referrals, called multiple appraisal services, etc., and no one could help me. I found AppraiseItNow and from the moment I started working with them, they were wonderful! Joe guided me on what I needed to send him, what needed to be done and stayed in touch with me the entire time. Their customer service is OUTSTANDING and a welcome surprise in today’s world where good customer service is an anomaly! They returned an appraisal in a timely manner, it was clear, concise, cost-effective and exactly what I needed. They followed up with me multiple times to ensure that I received it and everything was OK. My CPA is also thrilled to have them as an accredited appraisal service he can use for other clients. I rarely leave reviews, but I could not pass giving them 5 stars and I’d give 10 if possible! THANK YOU JOE AND ALL AT APPRAISEITNOW!!👊🏼
Personal Property Appraisal for Charitable Donation
I used AppraiseItNow for the first time last month and I was extremely pleased with the results. I needed an appraisal done for insurance purposes and the level of detail about each of my antique furniture pieces was thorough and very helpful in my being able to get the highest amount possible from my insurance company for the antique items that were damaged. I could see that they spent time making sure that the information she included was correct and current for my antique furniture items in the current market. The team responded to my emails timely to answer any questions I had. I would highly recommend Appraise It Now to get a thorough and professional appraisal done on antique items. I do intend to use them again for other antique furniture and jewelry that I have. Job well done! 😃🤗
Antique Furniture Appraisal for Insurance Claim
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.
Gun Appraisal for Probate
I was skeptical at first, but the company exceeded all of my expectations. The team responded quickly to every question, and the service was excellent. They’re now my go to source for my collection. I’ve used them twice already, and I plan to use them several more times.
Firearms Appraisal for Personal Use
Joe made the process to have my piece of furniture appraised extremely easy, efficient and quick. My experience was great and I'd recommend AppraiseItNow to anyone looking for an appraisal.
Furniture Appraisal for Insurance Coverage
I asked AppraiseItNow to value a piece of sports memorabilia for purposes of a charitable donation. The item is rarely sold. Their research unearthed an important recent sale of a similar item, which I had not found previously, and which the first appraiser I used had not found either. AppraiseItNow was a good deal more expensive than the first service, but they crafted a detailed report in which I have much more confidence. They also helped me make sure the correct tax forms are used. Thank you!
Sports Memorabilia Appraisal for Charitable Donation
Given the USPAP-compliant nature of AppraiseItNow’s appraisal reports, we prepare our deliverables for major legal, tax, and financial reporting purposes for individual and commercial clients.
Popular uses of our appraisal reports include:
Melt value, weight times purity times the silver spot price, sets only the baseline. Appraisers then add or subtract premiums for maker, pattern, rarity, and condition, and for important makers or patterns the collectible premium can far exceed the metal content. Hallmarks and maker's marks are documented piece by piece.
No, and confusing them is the classic costly mistake. Plate marked EPNS, EP, or A1 carries only a thin silver coating and cannot be valued by weight at sterling prices. Appraisers also exclude steel knife blades and other non-silver components before computing any metal-based value.
No, Connecticut has no inheritance tax on beneficiaries. It does impose an estate-level tax on taxable estates above the state exemption, which counts personal property such as silver, so larger estates still need documented fair market values for the Connecticut filing.
No. CGS section 12-63 defines present true and actual value as fair market value, explicitly not the value at a forced or auction sale, and taxable personal property is then assessed at 70% of that figure. Auction results still matter as market evidence, but a single distressed hammer price does not control the valuation.
