IRS-Compliant Donation Appraisals

OTAS provides independent aircraft donation appraisals prepared to support qualified charitable contributions where an appraisal is required for tax reporting purposes.

All donation appraisals are developed in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and structured with documentation discipline appropriate for IRS review.

IRS-compliant donation appraisals are commonly prepared to:

• Establish the fair market value of an aircraft as of the effective date
• Support a qualified charitable contribution
• Provide documentation suitable for potential review

Each appraisal clearly identifies its intended use and intended users.

Donation appraisals are typically intended for use by:

• Aircraft donors
• Tax advisors and CPAs
• Attorneys and fiduciaries
• Charitable organizations, when applicable

Reliance is limited to the identified intended users stated in the appraisal report.

Our donation appraisal practice includes:

• High-performance single-engine piston aircraft
• High-performance multi-engine piston aircraft
• Turboprop aircraft
• Light, mid-size, and large-cabin business jets

We do not provide appraisal services for commercial airliners or airline fleet assets.

Donation appraisals address factors relevant to fair market value, including:

• Current market conditions
• Aircraft configuration and equipment
• Maintenance status and airworthiness considerations
• Damage history and documentation
• Marketability and buyer demand

Valuation conclusions are based on documented market evidence appropriate to the aircraft category and condition.

When damage history exists, it is evaluated based on:

• Nature and extent of the event
• Quality of repairs and supporting records
• Market reaction and impact on value

Adjustments are supported by market evidence rather than generalized assumptions.

Donation appraisal assignments may involve aircraft located in various regions. Inspection logistics and regional market factors are addressed as appropriate to the assignment.

We perform aircraft inspections throughout California, including Southern California, and support donation appraisal assignments nationwide.

This page addresses aircraft appraisals prepared for IRS-compliant donation purposes.

Related information is available on the following pages:

• Aircraft Appraisal Coverage & Methodology
• Damage History & Diminution of Value
• Aircraft Appraisal Service Areas

Each donation appraisal is prepared independently, with valuation conclusions supported by documented market evidence and professional judgment appropriate for IRS reporting.

For IRS-compliant aircraft donation appraisal inquiries, please contact us to discuss the scope, inspection requirements, and reporting timelines.