<div> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">There are "certified appraisers".  Some insurance companies require one.  I always disclose I'm not "certified" to the customer.   The value of a donated piano really should be the "street price" not retail, but I'm sure retail gets used all the time. :)   What is required to become a certified appraiser?   Bob.<br> </font></div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> -----Original Message-----<br> From: Phil Ryan <pryan2@the-beach.net><br> To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org><br> Sent: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 1:34 pm<br> Subject: IRS Tax write-off<br> <br> <div id="AOLMsgPart_0_626c9364-21ef-4880-8ad1-2a30c87bb894" style="margin: 0px; font-family: Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,Sans-Serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> A long-time customer informed me that he is donating his piano (a small M&H grand) to a religious college and asked me to give him an official appraisal that would satisfy the IRS for a tax write-off, or find him an authorized piano specialist who could do this. <br>  <br> What is the rule on this? Can he take the retail value, or wholesale? Who is to say? Is there such a person as an "authorized piano specialist appraiser"? Can I give him an appraisal? Should I? <br>  <br> Phil Ryan <br> Miami Beach <br>  <br> </div>  <div class="AOLPromoFooter"> <hr style="margin-top:10px;" /> More new features than ever. Check out the new <a href="http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/mailtour/aol/en-us/text.htm?ncid=aolcmp00050000000003" target="_blank">AOL Mail</a>!<br/> </div>