The IRS expects Estate and Gift Tax valuations to be performed by professionals experienced in valuing similar enterprises and assets and that each analysis comply with IRC 59-60, including consideration of all three generally accepted approaches to value, as they may apply: Income Approach, Market Approach and Cost Approach. Our staff meet the IRS standards of a “Qualified Appraiser.”
For fractional interest studies (aka “Discount Studies”), our analyses consider multiple valuation methods to determine the difference in value between a control and a minority interest, as well discounts for lack of marketability, if appropriate. Such methods include, as applicable:
We assist equity holders with the valuation of domestic and international investments, including:
Unfortunately, there are occasions when parties disagree over the management, ownership, valuation, and gifting of assets, equity, etc. We assist with these matters as well, including:
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Our Transaction Opinion team collaborates with our internal multi-disciplinary professionals to provide the value analyses and fresh independent opinions to fiduciaries, financing sources and investors for public and private company transactions.
As of 2025, the exemption is $13.99 million for individuals and $27.98 million for married couples. There are also annual exemptions of $19,000 and $38,000, respectively.
If the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is not extended, the lifetime exemption may revert to pre-2018 levels, decreasing nearly 50% to around $7 million per individual. This could potentially result in significant tax liabilities for wealth transfers.
Gifts above the exemption thresholds are taxed progressively. For example, the first $10,000 over the limit is taxed at 18%, the next $10,000 (from $10,001 to $20,000 over the exemption) is taxed at 20%. As the excess grows, the tax rate climbs through various brackets, up to a maximum of 40% for gifts exceeding $1 million over the exemption limit.
Acting now allows individuals to take advantage of the current higher exemption levels and avoid the end-of-year rush that drives up both demand and cost for valuation services.
Marshall & Stevens offers comprehensive valuation and advisory services tailored to estate and gift tax planning. Their team supports high-net-worth individuals, legal advisors, and financial planners by providing IRS-compliant valuations and strategic guidance. They have extensive experience with hard-to-value assets including private company stock, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs), undivided interests in Real Estate and other assets that require complex, professional valuation methods.
Valuation ensures that assets are accurately assessed for tax purposes. Independent, IRS-compliant valuations reduce the risk of disputes and support defensible tax positions, especially for complex or hard-to-value assets.
These assets may be held outside the business and leased back to the business, and/or to other businesses, in order for you and your family to maintain control of the asset into perpetuity.
Marshall & Stevens has a team of specialist that assist business owners with understanding the current value of their business, how to increase value, and to provide exit strategies.
Marshall & Stevens provides Fairness and Solvency Opinions, valuation analyses, investigative accounting, and expert witness services to assist public and private clients with their important transactions and litigation matters.
Here are a few client success stories from
On December 31, 2025, the federal lifetime gift tax exemption will plummet from over $13 Million in 2024 and 2025 to $7+ Million for 2026. If you haven’t taken advantage of…
A family recently lost a loved one, the founder of a successful real estate management, brokerage, and investment firm. He started with a single small…
Gift Tax Regulations are set to expire at the end of 2025, leading to a nearly 50% reduction in the Lifetime Exemption Level.
