[NHCOLL-L:327] Re: assessment of donated specimens

[Murray Fletcher]

Liz McGhee wrote:

>         I have a question regarding evaluation of donated specimens, more
> specifically birds.  When we receive a collection and someone wants to use
> it as a tax deduction, our bylaws require that someone outside the museum
> place a value on the donation.  A person we recommended once in the past
> now is asking to be paid by the donor for the assessment.  My question is
> this:  is it usual for the person evaluating the collection for tax
> purposes to charge a fee to do this?
>         I guess I have a couple of other questions as well:  do any of you
> do these evaluations, do you charge, or can you recommend someone (or
> several people) who do this?
>         I know in the past, at least in the mammalogy community, these
> types of assessments were done gratis as a favor to another curator.
>         I'd appreciate any input any of you can give me.  Thanks.
>
> Liz
>

In Australia we have a formalised system with valuations carried out by
persons registered with the Australian Taxation Office for the purpose. Each
valuer is registered to value specific types of donation depending on their
expertise, ranging from biological material to books, artworks and antiques. A
list of the registered valuers is provided by the Tax Office. Valuers are
entitled to charge for their services and usually do. This is a useful source
of income for retired biologists although I don't expect it generates anything
other than occasional pocket money.

Murray Fletcher


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Dr Murray J. Fletcher
Agricultural Scientific Collections Unit
NSW Agriculture - OAI
Forest Road
ORANGE NSW 2800
Australia

Phone: 61-(0)2-63913943
Fax: 61-(0)2-63913899
Email: murray.fletcher at agric.nsw.gov.au

ASCU Website: http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/Hort/ascu

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