Other Considerations

Monetary Appraisals for Tax Purposes

Donors may be entitled to take an income tax deduction by claiming their gift of rare or manuscript materials as a charitable donation. While Library staff cannot serve as tax advisors, it is the Library's understanding that to claim a deduction for qualifying non-cash gifts in excess of $500 within a calendar year, a donor must file IRS Form 8283 (see Instructions for guidance).

A formal appraisal, performed no more that sixty days before the date of the gift, is required if deductions are sought for any gift valued at over $5,000. Professional standards, University policy, and IRS regulations prohibit University staff from making such a monetary appraisal, but see below for a list of sources of information about qualified independent appraisers who can do so for a fee.

• Society of American Archivists,600 S. Federal Suite 504, Chicago, IL 60605
  
  
• American Society of Appraisers, Dulles International Airport, Box 17265,  Washington, DC 20041
  
  
• Appraisers Association of America, 60 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10165
  
  
• The Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New  York, NY 10020
  

The donor is responsible for arranging for and paying the cost of such an appraisal, which may be tax deductible. To complete the appraisal process, the University will sign the necessary form and send the formal IRS receipt to the donor. See IRS publication 561, "Determining the Value of Donated Property," and consult your tax advisor or attorney for further information on tax deductions for gifts of printed or manuscript materials.