What is IRS Art Appraisal Services?

IRS Art Appraisal Services (AAS) is a specialized unit within the Internal Revenue Service staffed by professional art appraisers. Its primary role is to review the fair market value claims on fine art submitted as part of federal tax filings, most commonly charitable contribution deductions and estate tax returns.

When the IRS Art Appraisal Services unit gets involved

The AAS reviews art appraisals in two main situations:

• A taxpayer donates a work of art and claims a charitable deduction. Under IRS rules, any donation valued at $500 or more requires a written appraisal, and donations valued at $20,000 or more require the full appraisal to be attached to the return (Form 8283). The AAS may scrutinize high-value claims to verify the reported fair market value is supportable.
• An estate includes art in a Form 706 estate tax return. The AAS reviews the appraised values to confirm they reflect actual market conditions at the date of death.

The Statement of Value program

For donated art appraised at $50,000 or more, taxpayers can proactively request a Statement of Value directly from the IRS before filing. The IRS charges a user fee for this service and issues a written statement of the IRS's opinion of fair market value. Obtaining a Statement of Value in advance reduces the risk of a valuation dispute after filing.

What this means for your appraisal

Because the AAS employs credentialed appraisers who know exactly what makes a valuation defensible, any report that may be subject to IRS review must be prepared in strict accordance with USPAP and IRS requirements. Our appraisers prepare USPAP-compliant fine art appraisals that document provenance, comparable sales, condition, and methodology in the format the IRS expects. Whether you are claiming a charitable deduction, settling an estate, or requesting a Statement of Value, working with a qualified appraiser from the outset is the most effective way to support your filing and avoid a challenge from the AAS.