[pianotech] (no subject)

[David Ilvedson]

These are good people and I don't think fraud is their angle.   They gave some examples of appraised value and what they could do tax wise...my post was about the tax angle.  I didn't think someone selling personal property could take a loss in value as a tax write-off.   I still don't think so...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Kendall Ross Bean" <kenbean at pacbell.net>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Received: 12/6/2008 12:59:52 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] (no subject)


>Perhaps I missed something, but it is not at all clear to me why many seem
>to be automatically assuming that the communication from David Ilvedson's
>customer below is soliciting some sort of fraudulent behavior.

>I simply don't have have enough information to make that assessment. 

>I don't know, for instance, what preceded this communication, or if the
>customer had any basis (like a prior appraisal or valuation of some sort on
>the piano in question) for the figures he is quoting. Perhaps he also has
>some figures from his accountant that he is trying to work with. I mean, he
>does say "If the appraisal was [this figure], or if the appraisal was
>higher..." which to me seems to acknowledge that he doesn't assume what the
>appraised value will be.

>Perhaps David Ilvedson could cast some more light on the circumstances
>surrounding this "snapshot" he has given us.

>David Love commented in a recent post on this particular situation, "I do
>appraisals but I don't fill in numbers on request.  The appraisal must be
>based in some kind of reality." I think most of us here would subscribe to
>that.

>But to me it is not at all clear that that is what this customer is trying
>to do.

>I can see ways that a person writing this could be legitimately and legally
>trying to minimize the amount of taxes he has to pay. Don't we all try to do
>that?

>If I understood the initial post correctly, David Ilvedson simply commented
>that he didn't see how a person selling a piano (rather than donating it in
>its entirety) could also claim a tax deduction on it. It seems some are
>assuming that that is not possible, but I'm not at all sure that is the
>case.

>It also seems that some are assuming, from this limited communication, that
>the customer is trying to tell the appraiser what they would like the piano
>appraised at. Like I say, based on the limited "snapshot" we have been
>given, that is not at all clear to me. I would need more information before
>deciding "not to touch this with a thirty-nine foot pole".

>In recent years, I have become a lot more careful about assuming that I know
>a person's intent.

>Like I say, maybe I am missing something here that others can plainly see. 

>(Wouldn't be the first time! ;-) )

>Perhaps someone could fill me in.

>Sincerely~

>Kendall Ross Bean

>~PianoFinders   

>-----Original Message-----
>From: Ron Nossaman [mailto:rnossaman at cox.net] 
>Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 1:39 PM
>To: David Ilvedson; pianotech at ptg.org
>Subject: Re: [pianotech] (no subject)

>David Ilvedson wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> I have a customer who emailed me the following:
>> 
>> "Thanks for your reply. Because of how taxes work, if we could get a 
>> written appraisal on the piano of $20,000.00-$25,000.00 we could sell 
>> the piano for less and then "write off" the remainder. For example, if 
>> the appraisal was $20,000.00 we would sell the piano for about 
>> $15,000.00 and if the appraisal was higher we would sell it for even less.
>"
>> 
>> Does that sound right?   I don't see how they can write off a personal 
>> sale...????
>>  
>> 
>> David Ilvedson, RPT

>Why not appraise it at $40k, and offer to haul it off for them?

>I'd wish them luck with whoever their appraiser finally turns out to be,
>draw the drapes, turn out the lights, and check the caller ID before
>answering the phone for a while.
>Ron N