NEW YORK CITY · ESTATE ATTORNEYS · CPAs · FIDUCIARIES
Estate Tax Appraisals for IRS Form 706 and Date-of-Death Valuations
Defensible real-estate appraisals for estate-tax reporting, probate, trusts, and estate administration—backed by more than 30 years of valuation experience.
REIS Group provides independent, USPAP-compliant appraisals of residential and commercial real estate. Our reports support attorneys, CPAs, executors, trustees, and families who need an appraisal for estate tax purposes, including documentation for IRS review.
30+ years of valuation experience · USPAP-compliant reporting · Residential, commercial, co-op, condominium, and partial-interest appraisals
Who Needs an Estate Tax Appraisal?
An estate-tax appraisal may be needed when real estate must be valued as of the date of death, an eligible alternate valuation date, or another relevant effective date for estate administration or tax reporting.
- Executors and administrators settling an estate
- Estate-planning and probate attorneys supporting Form 706 filings
- CPAs and tax preparers requiring supported property values
- Trustees and fiduciaries administering real-estate holdings
- Families distributing inherited residential, commercial, or mixed-use property
- Owners of fractional interests, co-op shares, and complex ownership interests
- Attorneys responding to IRS valuation questions or examinations
When Is an Estate Tax Appraisal Needed?
- IRS Form 706: Real-estate valuation support for the federal estate-tax return.
- Date-of-death valuation: A retrospective opinion of fair market value as of the decedent’s date of death.
- Alternate valuation: Appraisal support when the executor makes an eligible election. Ask your estate attorney or CPA to confirm eligibility and the applicable valuation date.
- Probate and estate administration: Documentation for fiduciary accounting, beneficiary distributions, and court-related matters.
- Partial interests: Analysis of fractional ownership and the specific property rights being appraised; a discount is not automatic.
- IRS review: Independent valuation evidence and follow-up support within the agreed scope of work.
- Related charitable-gift assignments: Appraisal support for certain noncash contributions reported on Form 8283, a separate purpose from estate-tax reporting.
What Is Included in an Estate Tax Appraisal?
The scope of work reflects the property, ownership interest, intended use, and reporting requirements. A report may include:
- Identification of the property and property rights appraised
- The effective date of value, including a retrospective date where appropriate
- Relevant market analysis and comparable-sales evidence
- Highest-and-best-use analysis where applicable
- Reconciliation of the analyses and a final opinion of value
- Supporting photographs, maps, exhibits, and market data where appropriate
- Appraiser qualifications, certification, assumptions, and limiting conditions
- A clear narrative for attorney, fiduciary, and tax-professional review
Why Attorneys and Fiduciaries Choose REIS Group
For more than three decades, REIS Group has provided independent valuation services for residential and commercial real estate. We work with attorneys, CPAs, trustees, executors, and families, with a focus on well-supported reporting, discretion, and clear communication.
Based in New York, we address assignments involving co-ops, condominiums, brownstones, mixed-use buildings, commercial property, and complex ownership structures. Assignment fees and timing depend on complexity and scope; we discuss these before engagement.
Explore our Trust & Estate Appraisals and Partial Interest Appraisals services.
Our Estate Tax Appraisal Process
- Initial consultation: Review the property, valuation date, ownership structure, purpose, and deadline.
- Engagement and inspection: Agree the scope of work, collect records, and inspect the property where appropriate.
- Analysis and reporting: Analyze relevant evidence and prepare a USPAP-compliant appraisal with a supported opinion of value.
- Delivery and support: Deliver the report and answer follow-up questions within the engagement scope.
Estate Tax Appraisal FAQs
What is an estate tax appraisal?
An estate tax appraisal establishes an opinion of fair market value for the specified real-estate interest as of the relevant effective date, supporting estate-tax reporting and administration.
Do I need an appraisal for IRS Form 706?
A supported appraisal is commonly needed when real estate is reported on Form 706, particularly when its value is material to the filing. Your estate attorney or CPA should determine your filing and documentation requirements.
What is a date-of-death appraisal?
It is a retrospective appraisal estimating fair market value as of the decedent’s date of death, rather than the date the report is prepared.
Can REIS appraise a partial interest in inherited property?
Yes. REIS Group evaluates fractional ownership and other complex real-estate interests. The analysis depends on the specific rights, restrictions, and market evidence.
Do you work with estate attorneys and CPAs?
Yes. REIS Group works with attorneys, CPAs, fiduciaries, trustees, executors, and families who need independent valuation support.
How long does an estate-tax appraisal take, and what does it cost?
Timing and fees depend on property type, assignment complexity, ownership structure, available information, and deadlines. Request a consultation to discuss scope, pricing, and timing.
Request an Estate Tax Appraisal Consultation
Tell us about the property, valuation date, and deadline. REIS Group will review your assignment and discuss the appropriate scope of work.
Call 212-213-2035 or email ddaly@reisgroup.us.com.
Please do not submit Social Security numbers, tax returns, or confidential estate documents through this form. This page provides general appraisal information, not legal or tax advice. Consult your estate attorney or CPA about filing obligations and valuation elections. No specific appraisal value, tax outcome, or IRS acceptance is guaranteed.