Form 8283

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Form 8283: Noncash Charitable Contributions

Form 8283 is the IRS form used to report noncash charitable contributions when you plan to claim them as itemized deductions. Noncash contributions include donated property such as securities, vehicles, art, collectibles, and other tangible items.

Who must file

  • Individuals, partnerships, and corporations must file Form 8283 if the total noncash contribution to a qualifying charitable organization for the tax year exceeds $500.
  • Exception: C corporations file Form 8283 only if the donation exceeds $5,000.
  • Each Form 8283 can list up to five donations to different organizations; attach additional forms as needed.

Note: Do not use Form 8283 for cash or credit-card donations, volunteer out-of-pocket expenses, or to determine charitable contribution limits.

How to complete Form 8283 (overview)

  1. Identification: Enter your name and identifying number (SSN for individuals, EIN for corporations).
  2. Part I (Section A) — for each donation provide:
  3. A: Name and address of the donee organization
  4. B: Vehicle identification number (VIN), if donating a vehicle
  5. C: Description of the property (for vehicles include year, make, model, mileage, condition; for securities include name and number of shares)
  6. D: Date of contribution
  7. E: Date property was acquired
  8. F: How the property was acquired (purchase, inheritance, gift, etc.)
  9. G: Cost or adjusted basis (do not complete if property held >12 months or if publicly traded securities)
  10. H: Fair market value (FMV) at date of contribution
  11. I: Method used to determine FMV
  12. Part II — complete if you gave less than your entire interest in the property.
  13. Vehicles, boats, and airplanes: If the deduction is based on gross proceeds from the sale, include Form 1098-C (Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes) when applicable.
  14. Donee signature: The recipient organization must provide an acknowledgement with its name, identification number, address, and an authorized signature.

Appraisals: when they’re required

An appraisal by a qualified appraiser is required in many cases to support the FMV claim:
– Generally required for art valued at $20,000 or more.
– Usually required for most jewelry and gems.
– Required for used household goods if the claimed value exceeds $500 and the items are not in “good” or better condition.

Appraisals are not required for:
– Publicly traded securities.
– Inventory or property held primarily for sale in a trade or business.
– Qualified vehicles when the deduction is limited to gross proceeds and you have a contemporaneous written acknowledgement (Form 1098-C).
– Intellectual property.
– Private stock valued at $10,000 or less.

Appraisal documentation: The appraiser must sign a declaration; you should retain the appraisal in your records (it is not required to be submitted with the Form 8283 unless instructed).

Common questions

  • What is Form 8283 used for? To report noncash charitable contributions over $500 so you can claim them as itemized deductions.
  • Who can file? Individuals, partnerships, and corporations (with C corporations subject to the $5,000 exception).
  • Do noncash donations always require an appraisal? No—appraisals are required only in specific situations (see above).

Bottom line

Use Form 8283 to report noncash donations when you plan to itemize and your noncash gifts exceed the applicable threshold. Determine whether you need a qualified appraisal, complete the appropriate sections describing the property, and obtain the donee’s acknowledgement. Keep supporting documentation and appraisals with your tax records.

Sources: IRS Publication 526 (Charitable Contributions); Publication 561 (Determining the Value of Donated Property); Instructions for Form 8283; Instructions for Form 1098-C.