USPAP-compliant appraisals by best-in-class appraisers
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Joe Kattan
Anne Hay, ISA AM
Ashley Innes, ISA AM
Aron Blue
About AppraiseItNow's Painting Appraisal Services
AppraiseItNow provides professional painting appraisals for estate tax reporting (IRS Form 706), charitable donation filings (IRS Form 8283), insurance coverage and claims, divorce proceedings, probate, and private sale or acquisition purposes. Our appraisers evaluate paintings across all media, periods, and price points, from emerging contemporary works to Old Master canvases, applying rigorous market research and provenance analysis to produce credible, well-supported valuations. As a specialized subset of our broader fine art appraisal services, painting appraisals follow the same USPAP-compliant standards and documentation requirements that the IRS, insurance carriers, and courts expect. Our mission is to deliver defensible, USPAP-compliant valuations with exceptional speed, professionalism, and client service.
Our appraisers serve individual collectors, families managing estates, attorneys handling litigation or probate, CPAs advising on charitable deductions, and institutions with collection management needs. Most painting appraisals are completed remotely using high-resolution photographs and supporting documentation, though onsite inspection can be arranged when condition assessment, scale, or collection complexity requires it. We offer Fair Market Value (FMV) and Replacement Value appraisals for various intended uses.
What Types of Paintings Do We Appraise?
Painting is a broad medium, but the appraisal need is typically specific to a single work or a defined group of works rather than a category of objects. Our appraisers evaluate paintings regardless of medium, including oil on canvas, oil on panel, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, tempera, and mixed media on any support. We appraise works by listed artists with established auction records as well as works by regional, emerging, or unattributed artists where comparable sales research and stylistic analysis drive the valuation.
Who Does AppraiseItNow Serve?
AppraiseItNow serves individual collectors, heirs, and donors who need a credible valuation for a single painting or an entire collection, as well as attorneys, CPAs, estate planners, and insurance professionals who require independent, IRS-qualified appraisal reports to support their clients' filings and decisions.
5-Star Valuation Services, Loved by Hundreds
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How our Valuation Process Works
Written USPAP-compliant artwork appraisals for when defensibility matters.
Given the USPAP-compliant nature of AppraiseItNow’s appraisal reports, we prepare our deliverables for major legal, tax, and financial reporting purposes for individual and commercial clients.
Popular uses of our appraisal reports include:
Taxes, Estates & Financial Planning
- Gift Tax - IRS Form 709
- Estate Tax - IRS Form 706
- Charitable Donations - IRS Form 8283
- Estate planning, equitable distribution, and probate
- Asset-Backed Loan Purposes
Life Events & Special Circumstances
- Divorce
- Social Security reporting or Medicaid Application Filings
- E-2 visa applications
Insurance & Risk Management
- Insurance coverage
- Insurance claims
- Third-party & legal damage claims
- Purchase & Sale / Transactional Due Diligence
What types of paintings does AppraiseItNow appraise?
AppraiseItNow appraises paintings across all media and periods, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, tempera, gouache, and mixed media works. We handle everything from Old Master paintings and American Impressionist works to contemporary and abstract canvases. Whether the painting is attributed to a known artist, unsigned, or of uncertain origin, our appraisers can assess it for any intended use.
Are your painting appraisals USPAP-compliant?
Yes. All painting appraisals are developed and reported under USPAP Standards 7 and 8, which govern personal property appraisal practice. Our appraisers follow the Ethics Rule and Competency Rule, meaning they act with independence and impartiality and bring the specific knowledge required to value paintings accurately. Each report is defensible and accepted by the IRS, insurance carriers, courts, and other institutional parties.
What are common reasons someone needs a painting appraisal?
Paintings are appraised for a wide range of legal, financial, and personal purposes, including:
- Charitable donation deductions reported on IRS Form 8283
- Estate tax filings reported on IRS Form 706
- Insurance coverage and damage or loss claims
- Divorce and equitable distribution proceedings
- Probate and estate distribution among heirs
- Pre-sale valuation and transactional guidance
- Gift tax planning and IRA conversion
Can you appraise paintings in poor condition, with unknown provenance, or with limited documentation?
Yes. Condition issues, gaps in provenance, and missing documentation are common in painting appraisals, and our appraisers are experienced in working through these challenges. Condition is a direct factor in value, and our reports address it explicitly, including any damage, restoration, or conservation history that can be identified. When provenance is limited, we rely on stylistic analysis, comparable sales data, and available archival research to support our conclusions.
Can you appraise large collections or multiple paintings?
Absolutely. AppraiseItNow regularly appraises single paintings as well as large collections spanning dozens or hundreds of works. For multi-painting assignments, we produce consolidated reports with collection-level analysis, and volume pricing is available to reflect the scope of the project.
Do you provide online or remote painting appraisals?
Most painting appraisals are completed remotely using photographs and documentation submitted by the client, which keeps the process fast and convenient. For larger projects, complex attributions, or collections that require physical inspection, we can coordinate an in-person appraiser anywhere in the United States.
How much does a painting appraisal cost?
Painting appraisal fees depend on the purpose, the number of works, and the research depth required. Standard appraisals for insurance coverage, personal use, probate, and estate distribution start at $295, while advanced appraisals for charitable donations, estate tax, insurance claims, divorce, and legal proceedings start at $395. Volume pricing by tier is as follows:
- 1 painting: $295 to $2,000, reflecting the artist, medium, and research depth involved
- 10 paintings: $2,200 to $15,000 for a small collection with a consolidated report and collection-level analysis
- 50 or more paintings: $12,000 to $25,000 or more, with discounted volume pricing and streamlined reporting
Do you offer discounted pricing for large volumes?
Yes. Collections of 10 or more paintings qualify for volume pricing, and the per-item cost decreases as the collection size grows. For collections of 50 or more works, we offer our most competitive rates along with streamlined reporting designed to keep the process efficient. Contact us to discuss the specifics of your collection and receive a fixed-price quote before work begins.
How long does a painting appraisal take?
Standard painting appraisals are typically completed within 5 to 7 business days. Advanced assignments involving research-intensive attributions, uncertain authorship, or large collections generally take 2 to 3 weeks. We will confirm the expected timeline when you submit your project so you can plan accordingly.
Who prepares the appraisal report?
Reports are prepared by credentialed personal property appraisers with specific expertise in fine art, including paintings. Each appraiser brings formal training in appraisal methodology, art history, and market analysis. All reports are reviewed for USPAP compliance before delivery.
Are your appraisers ISA, ASA, or AAA credentialed?
Yes. AppraiseItNow's appraisers hold credentials from recognized professional bodies including the International Society of Appraisers (ISA). ISA-credentialed appraisers complete rigorous coursework in valuation methodology and are required to maintain continuing education, ensuring their expertise stays current with market conditions and professional standards.
Do you prepare appraisals for IRS Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Contributions)?
Yes. When you donate a painting to a qualifying charitable organization and claim a deduction, the IRS requires a qualified appraisal completed by a qualified appraiser no earlier than 60 days before the donation and no later than the due date of the return. Our appraisers meet the IRS definition of a qualified appraiser, and our reports are formatted to satisfy the substantiation requirements of Form 8283.
Do you prepare appraisals for IRS Form 706 (Estate Tax)?
Yes. Paintings included in a taxable estate must be reported at Fair Market Value on IRS Form 706, and a qualified appraisal is required to support those values. Our appraisers are experienced in estate tax assignments and produce reports that meet IRS standards for documentation, methodology, and appraiser qualifications.
Do you buy, sell, or broker paintings?
No. AppraiseItNow is an independent appraisal firm and does not buy, sell, or broker paintings. This independence is essential to producing unbiased valuations that are credible to the IRS, insurers, courts, and other parties relying on the report.
What information do you need to get started?
To begin a painting appraisal, it helps to provide as much of the following as possible:
- Clear photographs of the front, back, signature, and any labels or stamps
- Artist name or attribution, if known
- Title and date of the work, if known
- Medium and support (such as oil on canvas or watercolor on paper)
- Dimensions (height by width, excluding and including frame)
- Provenance, purchase history, or prior appraisals if available
- Condition notes, including any known restoration or damage
- The intended purpose of the appraisal (insurance, estate, donation, etc.)
Can AppraiseItNow appraise paintings located anywhere in the U.S.?
Yes. Remote appraisals are available to clients in all 50 states, and the majority of painting appraisals are completed without requiring an in-person visit. For larger collections, complex attributions, or situations where physical inspection is necessary, we can coordinate an in-person appraiser in any state.
Will my appraisal be accepted by the IRS, insurers, or courts?
Yes. Our appraisals are USPAP-compliant, prepared by qualified appraisers, and formatted to meet the specific requirements of the IRS, insurance carriers, and legal proceedings. We regularly produce reports used in IRS Form 706 and Form 8283 filings, insurance claims, divorce proceedings, and litigation, and our reports are designed to hold up under scrutiny.
Does the IRS require a painting appraisal for all charitable donation deductions?
The IRS requires a qualified appraisal for any noncash charitable contribution of property valued at more than $5,000. For paintings and other works of art valued at $20,000 or more, the IRS may also require that a complete copy of the signed appraisal be attached to the return. Additionally, for any single item of art valued at $50,000 or more, taxpayers can request a Statement of Value from the IRS Art Advisory Panel before filing, which can provide additional protection against valuation disputes.
What is the difference between Fair Market Value and Replacement Value for a painting, and when does each apply?
Fair Market Value is the price a willing buyer would pay a willing seller in an open market, with neither party under pressure to complete the transaction. It is used for IRS estate tax filings, charitable donation deductions, divorce settlements, and gift tax purposes. Replacement Value reflects the cost to replace the painting with one of comparable quality and character in the appropriate retail market, and it is the standard used for insurance coverage purposes, which is typically higher than Fair Market Value because it accounts for retail acquisition costs.
How do appraisers determine the value of a painting when the artist is unknown or the work is unsigned?
When a painting is unsigned or the artist cannot be identified, appraisers rely on a combination of stylistic analysis, period-appropriate materials and techniques, comparable sales of similar anonymous or attributed works, and any physical evidence such as canvas stamps, stretcher bar markings, or gallery labels on the reverse. The report will clearly state the basis for attribution and the assumptions underlying the value conclusion. Provenance research, including exhibition history or prior auction records, can also support or refine the valuation even when a definitive attribution is not possible.
APPRAISEITNOW APPRAISERS ARE BEST-IN-CLASS & CREDENTIALED BY LEADING APPRAISAL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE ISA, ASA, & MORE.
