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AppraiseItNow serves individual holders, estate executors, CPAs, tax attorneys, and financial advisors who need a qualified, IRS-recognized appraisal for Bitcoin holdings. Because Bitcoin exists entirely on-chain, all appraisals are conducted remotely using transaction records, wallet documentation, and exchange data, with no onsite inspection required. We offer Fair Market Value (FMV) appraisals for various intended uses.
Bitcoin appraisal is narrower in scope than general cryptocurrency appraisal, but the specific circumstances of each holding can vary significantly. Rather than appraising different "types" of Bitcoin as an asset, AppraiseItNow appraises Bitcoin across a range of holding structures and situations that each carry distinct valuation considerations:
Each of these scenarios may require different supporting documentation and methodology to produce a credible, defensible FMV conclusion.
AppraiseItNow serves individual Bitcoin holders, estate executors, divorce attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors who need a qualified appraisal for tax, legal, or compliance purposes. Whether you are a first-time donor or a professional managing a complex estate, our team is equipped to handle Bitcoin valuations at any scale.
AppraiseItNow appraises Bitcoin holdings across a range of situations, including outright ownership, inherited Bitcoin, donated Bitcoin, and Bitcoin subject to lock-up periods or smart contract restrictions. Whether you hold a fraction of a coin or a large position, we can develop a USPAP-compliant Fair Market Value appraisal tailored to your specific purpose.
Yes. All Bitcoin appraisals completed by AppraiseItNow follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, specifically Standards 7 and 8 governing personal property appraisal development and reporting. Our reports meet IRS requirements for qualified appraisals under IRC Section 170(f)(11) and are defensible for tax filings, legal proceedings, and financial reporting.
There are several situations that typically require a formal Bitcoin appraisal:
Bitcoin does not have a physical condition in the traditional sense, but appraisals can still be complex when documentation of acquisition dates, wallet history, or transfer records is incomplete. Our appraisers work with the information available, sourcing exchange price data and applying accepted methodologies to establish Fair Market Value on the relevant date. If your records are limited, contact us and we can discuss what is needed to complete a credible report.
Yes. AppraiseItNow can handle appraisals involving multiple cryptocurrency positions, including portfolios that include Bitcoin alongside other digital assets. Whether you hold Bitcoin across several wallets or need valuations for multiple donation events in a single tax year, we can scope the assignment appropriately and provide a fixed fee before work begins.
Most Bitcoin appraisals are completed entirely remotely, since the asset exists digitally and the core data sources are exchange feeds and transaction records. For larger or more complex projects, we can coordinate an in-person appraiser anywhere in the US to review documentation or meet with clients directly.
Fees are scope-based and quoted as a fixed price before any work begins, so you know exactly what you are paying before engaging our team. The primary cost driver is the complexity of the holding, including whether lock-up periods or smart contract restrictions require liquidity discount analysis. Contact us for a quote specific to your situation.
Most Bitcoin appraisals are completed within 3 to 5 business days. Rush service is available upon request if you have a filing deadline or other time-sensitive need.
Appraisal reports are prepared by qualified appraisers who meet the IRS definition under Treas. Reg. Section 1.170A-17, including minimum education and experience requirements and regular compensation for appraisal services. Each report is reviewed for USPAP compliance before delivery.
Yes. This is one of the most common reasons clients request a Bitcoin appraisal. When a charitable donation of Bitcoin exceeds $5,000, the IRS requires a qualified appraisal completed no more than 60 days before the filing date, attached to Form 8283 Section B. Importantly, exchange-reported prices do not satisfy this requirement, and cryptocurrency exchanges do not qualify as qualified appraisers under Section 170(f)(11)(E)(ii), so a formal appraisal is required regardless of how readily the price appears to be available.
No. AppraiseItNow is an independent appraisal firm and does not buy, sell, or broker Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency. This independence is essential to producing objective, defensible valuations that meet IRS and USPAP standards.
To scope your Bitcoin appraisal, it helps to have the following ready:
Yes. Because Bitcoin is a digital asset, remote appraisals are available to clients in all 50 states with no geographic limitations. For larger or more complex assignments, we can also coordinate an in-person appraiser in any state to assist with documentation review or client meetings.
Our Bitcoin appraisals are prepared to meet the qualified appraisal standards under IRC Section 170(f)(11) and Treas. Reg. Section 1.170A-17, making them suitable for IRS submissions including Form 8283 and Form 706. Reports are also USPAP-compliant and defensible for use in insurance claims, divorce proceedings, bankruptcy filings, and court proceedings.
Yes, and this is a point many donors misunderstand. The IRS explicitly excludes cryptocurrency from the definition of publicly traded securities under Section 165(g)(2), which means Bitcoin does not qualify for the exemption that allows stocks to be valued using exchange prices without a formal appraisal. A CCA memo, CCA 202302012, confirmed that exchange-reported values provide no reasonable-cause exception, so any Bitcoin donation over $5,000 requires a qualified appraisal regardless of how transparent the market price appears to be.
When Bitcoin or a related holding is subject to a smart contract that imposes a timed release or other transfer restriction, appraisers cannot simply use the spot price from an exchange. Instead, they apply a liquidity discount using accepted personal property methodologies, modeling how a hypothetical buyer and seller would price the asset given the inability to sell immediately. The discount analysis draws on exchange high, low, and 24-hour average price data from multiple platforms as a starting point, then adjusts downward to reflect the impairment, in compliance with IRS guidance under Notice 2014-21 and related CCAs.
The IRS requires that a qualified appraisal for a noncash charitable contribution be completed no more than 60 days before the date the contribution is made and no later than the due date of the tax return on which the deduction is claimed. For Bitcoin donations, this means the appraisal cannot be backdated or prepared well in advance of the gift. Missing this window can result in disallowance of the entire deduction, so timing the appraisal correctly relative to your donation date is critical.




