Estate Tax Appraisal Services 
            Real Estate Appraisers | Property Tax Consultant

Principal - Warren K. Hoppke, SRPA            
Member Appraisal Institute
Senior Real Property Analyst  

Robert Nord, MAI
Member Appraisal Institute

Estate Tax Appraiser | 709 Gift Tax Appraiser | IRS 706 filings Date of Death Appraiser | Charitable Trust Appraiser |
Home, Apartment, Vacant Land, Industrial & Commercial Real Estate Appraisal Services
Serving Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Ventura, and all of Southern California  
                          

We are a leading provider of estate tax appraisal services throughout Southern California. Some of the reasons why you may need a real estate appraiser include settling an estate, determination of asset values for financial planning, property tax valuation, or setting up a revocable or charitable living trust is an important and sometimes stressful job. Moreover, filing tax return forms 1040(E), 1041, 706 or 709 in many cases requires a well documented real estate appraisal prepared by appraisers familiar with IRS appraisal guidelines.  

Treasury Regulations and Choosing a Real Estate Appraiser

When choosing a real estate appraiser for an IRS estate tax return filing you should find an appraiser experienced with IRS Real Property Valuation Guidelines. Treasury Regulation Section 20.2031-1(b) requires the appraiser to follow certain guide lines when preparing real estate appraisals for estate tax returns, Retrospective date of death valuations, gift tax, Casualties & Disasters, charitable trusts or organizations, and other tax return filing purposes. Moreover, the appraiser must be qualified under regulations Section 1.170A-13(c)(5) and be able to qualify as an expert witness. Additionally, information that should be stated in the appraisal is set forth in IRS Rev. Proc. 66-49, 1966-2 C.B. 1257. For example, utilizing the correct definition of "Market Value", "Use Value", "Fair Market Value", "Intrinsic Value", or "Investment Value" means the difference between a disputed appraisal and one that is prepared correctly. Anselmo v. Commissioner, the Court states there is no distinction between the measure of "Fair Market Value" for estate and gift tax purposes and charitable contributions. In addition, Rev. Proc. 79-24, 1979-1 C.B. 565 indicates guide lines for the "Market Approach" also known as the "Market Comparison Approach", better known in appraising for federally related transactions as the "Sales Comparison Approach". Similarly, Rev. Rul. 68-609, 1968 C.B. 327 provides the general approach, methods and factors outlined in Rev. Rul. 59-60, 1959-1 C.B. 237.

It is also wise to avoid submitting an appraisal with your federal estate tax return that is more than two years old and does not meet other specific IRS filing guide lines. Additionally, the IRS looks at the accreditation of the real estate appraisers, the rationale of the "Fair Market Value" opinion, the validity of the comparable research, and the overall professionalism of the report.  In preparing an appraisal for tax filing purposes the IRS requires the appraiser to follow specific appraisal guidelines and IRS Real Property Valuation Guidelines. In addition, when valuing partial or fractional interests  (Use of Blockage and Lack of Marketability Discounts) it is important to provide a well documented report with the appropriate valuation techniques.

It is equally important that you select an appraiser who has the experience and knowledge necessary to prepare appraisal reports for tax returns according to IRS guide lines. We believe real estate appraisals prepared or supervised by a Member of the Appraisal Institute provides you with the highest quality reporting in the industry. Appraisal Institute Members hold the highest appraisal industry designations and have the necessary educational background and years of experience needed for residential and commercial appraisal work.  Warren K. Hoppke,SRPA  Principal of AppraiserValues.com Member Appraisal Institute and Senior Real Property Analyst with over 30 years experience as a residential and commercial appraiser.

For outright and planned gifts of California real estate in a charitable remainder trust, establishing "Fair Market Value" (FMV) is essential for determining the charitable deduction and for measuring the lifetime income interest of planned gifts. All donations of $5,000 or more require a qualified appraisal. Section 155 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 requires a qualified appraisal for certain contributions of property made after December 31, 1984. A helpful resource is IRS publication 561 Determining the Value of Donated Property, which describes the protocol in detail, including the procedures for real estate appraisers, content of appraisals, etc. The donor must complete IRS form 8283 (signed by NHF) and file this form with his/her tax return for the tax year in which the gift of real estate is claimed. A copy of the qualified appraisal it typically attached to form 8283 for estate tax filing, which is also signed by a real estate appraiser.

Settling an estate usually requires an appraiser to establish an opinion of "Fair Market Value" (FMV) for the residential home appraisal or commercial appraisal involved. Often, the date of death (effective date of the appraisal) differs from the date of the inspection. Our appraisers are familiar with the procedures and requirements necessary to perform a retrospective forensic appraisal with an effective date and a "Fair Market Value" opinion matching the date of death. The ethics provision within the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) binds us with confidentiality, ensuring the fullest degree of discretion.

Attorneys, Accountants, and Financial Planners rely on our  appraisal services when they need an expert to complete an accurate "Fair Market Value" (FMV) opinion for estate tax return filing, tax planning, divorce, probate & wills, partnership dissolutions, bankruptcy, arbitration, mediation, or other disputes requiring a valuation of real property. We understand their needs and the needs of all parties involved. We believe our expert certified and licensed residential and commercial appraiser provide appraisal reports that meet the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), the requirements of the courts, IRS tax filiing guide lines, and various agencies.