IRS Issues Guidance On Appraisal Requirements For Charitable Contributions Of Property.

Notice 2006-96

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

This notice provides transitional guidance relating to the new definitions of "qualified appraisal" and "qualified appraiser" in § 170(f)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code, and new § 6695A of the Code regarding substantial or gross valuation misstatements, as added by § 1219 of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, Pub. L. No. 109-280, 120 Stat. 780 (2006) (the "PPA").

The Service and the Treasury Department expect to issue regulations under § 170(f)(11). Until those regulations are effective, taxpayers may rely on this notice to comply with the new provisions added by § 1219 of the PPA.

SECTION 2. BACKGROUND

A deduction for charitable contributions is generally permitted under § 170(a), subject to certain limitations depending on the type of taxpayer, the nature of the property contributed, and the type of donee organization. Section 170(f)(11), as added by § 883 of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, Pub. L. No. 108-357, 118 Stat. 1418 (2004), contains reporting and substantiation requirements relating to the allowance of deductions for noncash charitable contributions. In particular, under § 170(f)(11)(C), taxpayers are required to obtain a qualified appraisal for donated property for which a deduction of more than $5,000 is claimed. Under § 170(f)(11)(D), in certain cases the qualified appraisal must be attached to the tax return. For appraisals prepared with respect to returns filed on or before August 17, 2006, existing Treasury Regulations provide a definition of the terms "qualified appraisal" and "qualified appraiser" for purposes of § 170(f)(11).

Section 1219 of the PPA amends § 170(f)(11)(E) and provides statutory definitions of a qualified appraisal and qualified appraiser for appraisals prepared with respect to returns filed after August 17, 2006.

Section 170(f)(11)(E)(i) provides that the term "qualified appraisal" means an appraisal that is (1) treated as a qualified appraisal under regulations or other guidance prescribed by the Secretary, and (2) conducted by a qualified appraiser in accordance with generally accepted appraisal standards and any regulations or other guidance prescribed by the Secretary.

Section 170(f)(11)(E)(ii) provides that the term "qualified appraiser" means an individual who (1) has earned an appraisal designation from a recognized professional appraiser organization or has otherwise met minimum education and experience requirements set forth in regulations prescribed by the Secretary, (2) regularly performs appraisals for which the individual receives compensation, and (3) meets such other requirements as may be prescribed by the Secretary in regulations or other guidance. Section 170(f)(11)(E)(iii) further provides that an individual will not be treated as a qualified appraiser unless that individual (1) demonstrates verifiable education and experience in valuing the type of property subject to the appraisal, and (2) has not been prohibited from practicing before the Internal Revenue Service by the Secretary under § 330(c) of Title 31 of the United States Code at any time during the 3-year period ending on the date of the appraisal.

Section 1219 of the PPA also adds a new penalty provision. If the claimed value of property based on an appraisal results in a substantial or gross valuation misstatement under § 6662, a penalty is imposed by new § 6695A on any person who prepared the appraisal and who knew, or reasonably should have known, the appraisal would be used in connection with a return or claim for refund.

SECTION 3. TRANSITIONAL GUIDANCE

.01 In general

The Service and the Treasury Department expect to issue regulations under § 170(f)(11), as amended by the PPA. The terms in section 3 of this notice apply to contributions of property (other than readily valued property within the meaning of § 170(f)(11)(A)(ii)(I)) by individuals, partnerships, or corporations for which a deduction of more than $5,000 is claimed on returns filed after August 17, 2006, and before the effective date of the regulations that the Service and the Treasury Department expect to issue. Until regulations are effective under § 170(f)(11), as amended by the PPA, an appraisal that meets the requirements of this notice shall be treated as a qualified appraisal for purposes of § 170(f)(11). The determination of whether an appraiser is qualified under section 3.03 of this notice must be based on the appraiser's qualifications as of the date the appraisal is made.

.02 Transitional terms-qualified appraisal

(1) Qualified appraisal. An appraisal will be treated as a qualified appraisal within the meaning of § 170(f)(11)(E) if the appraisal complies with all of the requirements of § 1.170A- 13(c) of the existing regulations (except to the extent the regulations are inconsistent with § 170(f)(11)), and is conducted by a qualified appraiser in accordance with generally accepted appraisal standards. See sections 3.02(2) and 3.03 of this notice.

(2) Generally accepted appraisal standards. An appraisal will be treated as having been conducted in accordance with generally accepted appraisal standards within the meaning of § 170(f)(11)(E)(i)(II) if, for example, the appraisal is consistent with the substance and principles of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice ("USPAP"), as developed by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation. Additional information is available at http://www.appraisalfoundation.org.

.03 Transitional terms -- qualified appraiser

(1) Appraisal designation. An appraiser will be treated as having earned an appraisal designation from a recognized professional appraiser organization within the meaning of § 170(f)(11)(E)(ii)(I) if the appraisal designation is awarded on the basis of demonstrated competency in valuing the type of property for which the appraisal is performed.

(2) Education and experience in valuing the type of property. An appraiser will be treated as having demonstrated verifiable education and experience in valuing the type of property subject to the appraisal within the meaning of § 170(f)(11)(E)(iii)(I) if the appraiser makes a declaration in the appraisal that, because of the appraiser's background, experience, education, and membership in professional associations, the appraiser is qualified to make appraisals of the type of property being valued. See also § 1.170A-13(c)(5).

(3) Minimum education and experience. An appraiser will be treated as having met minimum education and experience requirements within the meaning of § 170(f)(11)(E)(ii)(I) if --

SECTION 4. REQUEST FOR COMMENTS

The Service and the Treasury Department invite comments containing suggestions for future guidance under § 170(f)(11), including regulations. In particular, comments are requested concerning the definition of the following terms: (1) "generally accepted appraisal standards" in § 170(f)(11)(E)(i)(II); (2) "appraisal designation from a recognized professional appraisal organization" in § 170(f)(11)(E)(ii)(I); (3) "minimum education and experience requirements" in § 170(f)(11)(E)(ii)(I); and (4) "verifiable education and experience in valuing the type of property subject to the appraisal" in § 170(f)(11)(E)(iii)(I). Comments also are requested on the potential impact any guidance under § 170(f)(11) may have on small businesses. Comments should refer to Notice 2006-96 and be submitted by January 17, 2007, to:

SECTION 5. PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT

The collections of information in this notice have been reviewed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3507) under control number 1545-1953.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB control number.

The collections of information in this notice are in section 3 of this notice. The collections of information are required from donors to satisfy the substantiation requirements of § 170(f)(11). The collections of information are required from donors to obtain a benefit. The likely respondents are individuals, partnerships, and corporations.

The estimated total annual reporting burden is 161,571 hours.

The estimated annual burden per respondent varies from 5 minutes to 5 hours, with an estimated average of approximately 3.5 hours. The estimated number of respondents is 46,285.

The estimated annual frequency of responses (used for reporting requirements only) is once per year.

Books or records relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and return information are confidential, as required by § 6103.

SECTION 6. DRAFTING INFORMATION

The principal author of this notice is Susan J. Kassell of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax & Accounting). For further information regarding this notice contact Susan J. Kassell at (202) 622-5020 (not a toll-free call).