Appraiser Needed

I'm donating my large refractor and mount to our local Astronomy Society and need an appraisal as to its value. IRS seems to like people who have an appraisal certification of some kind.

Can anybody please provide me with a contact for someone who deals or is familiar with appraisal of astronomical equipment?

Jeff

Search one in your area with a Personal Property designation from the American Society of Appraisers:

http://www.appraisers.org/FindanAppraiser/FAASearch.aspx

Hi Jeff,

You might also try your local university. Someone in their astronomy department might be able to help you.

Cheers

Maurice

I've been the grateful recipient of a couple of generous donations of scopes to my high school. The donors requested receipts for their taxes. Numerous helpful Astromarters advised me that fair market value tends to be about 80% of new for equipment in good condition. I used this formula both times and no one has come back to me with any IRS problems. Both donations were in the $2000-$3500 range and have been long enough ago that everything is above board and final.