David~ I have been reading these posts in this thread. For what it's worth, and for future reference, we specialize in piano appraisals, and I get over to the San Francisco peninsula to appraise instruments there on a regular basis. We are based in Walnut Creek. You can see sample pages of our comprehensive appraisal at http://www.pianofinders.com/buyers/pianoshowroom/Steinway262369appa.htm It is a 7 page document, including an on-site inspection report, recommended repairs (including cost), and a number of different types of market valuations, including estimated values before and after repairs (to help ascertain whether repairs are worth doing). We include replacement value, current market value, and wholesale value wherever possible. We have evolved this appraisal over 25 years in business, based on needs of piano owners, buyers, sellers, estate appraisers, insurance companies, moving companies, dealers, rebuilders, refinishers, and numerous other interested parties. When I appraise a piano, I realize I can't be too terribly concerned about how people are going to ultimately use the appraisal, because I don't have a lot of control over that: after the appraisal is completed it's basically out of my hands. There are legal and illegal ways to "write off" things. I assume that most people would want to consult an accountant or an attorney specializing in tax law before risking an audit, fines, or possibly a jail term. Karen, my partner in the business, and our market value specialist, is also on the board of a 501 (3) (c) non-profit organization qualified to receive charitable donations (including pianos) and to issue donation receipts so those donating can claim tax deductions (or "write-offs"). -So she knows quite a bit about both piano sales, and piano donations, and what can be written off and what can't, and the rules governing those transactions. For example, generally speaking, if a piano is being "donated" in some way for a "write-off", the donor themselves may declare the value as long as it is under $5,000. If it is $5000. or over, then an independent appraiser must declare the value. There are rules governing who can be a qualified appraiser in this circumstance. Generally they cannot be a party to the transaction, or someone who would stand to benefit from the transaction in a way that might influence their valuation of the piano. The organization or institution accepting the donation can't be just anybody, either. They have to be recognized by the government as a certain type of non-profit or charitable organization, in order to be able to issue the proper donation receipt for a tax deduction. There are apparently many ways that a person could claim a tax "write-off" on a piano, including depreciation, donation, irrecoverable business losses, etc., -even possibly selling a piano. But you would have to consult a tax specialist to find out how it could be done legitimately and legally. More info on charitable contributions and tax write-offs can be found here: http://www.pianofinders.com/owners/instructions_for_form_8283.htm Sincerely~ Kendall Ross Bean PianoFinders www.pianofinders.com <http://www.pianofinders.com/> e-mail: kenbean at pianofinders.com phone: (925) 676-3355 Connecting Pianos and People _____ From: David Ilvedson [mailto:ilvey at sbcglobal.net] Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 7:14 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org; ilvey at sbcglobal.net Subject: Re: [pianotech] appraisals I see I'm getting no takers now... '-] David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 _____ Original message From: "David Ilvedson" To: pianotech at ptg.org Received: 12/5/2008 11:38:07 AM Subject: [pianotech] appraisals Who in the Bay Area...Peninsula does piano appraisals? David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech_ptg.org/attachments/20081206/1a6c80be/attachment.html>
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC