Why does my FMV guide show last year's date?
Summary: In January through March, it is common to see the prior year's FMV guide because the new guide is not available yet. We typically publish the next year's guide around April. You can always enter a custom value based on comparable sales. For IRS guidance on FMV, see IRS Publication 561.
Which guide year Charity Record uses
Charity Record uses the most recent FMV guide available.
- If a guide exists for your donation year, we use it.
- If not, we use the most recent guide before that year.
- If no earlier guide exists, we use the newest guide and show a warning.
This is why a current-year donation in January through March may still show last year's guide.
FMV guide sources by year
2025 guide: Built from the 2025 ItsDeductible FMV guide (released when ItsDeductible shut down).
2026 and later: We expect to build the guide from multiple sources to better reflect current resale prices. Sources may include published economic indices (for example, CPI), charity valuation guides, and resale marketplace data. Specific sources can change year to year, and we will document major updates in the guide.
How precise does FMV need to be?
IRS guidance generally allows rounding to whole dollars on tax returns if you do so consistently. Regardless of rounding, your FMV should be reasonable and supported by records. See IRS Publication 17 and IRS Publication 561.
What the warning colors mean
The notice you see depends on the gap between the guide year and your donation year:
| Scenario | What you will see |
|---|---|
| January through March, current-year donation, guide is 1 year behind | Blue info message (normal, guide coming soon) |
| 1-year gap outside Q1 (older or newer guide) | Yellow notice (values may be slightly higher or lower) |
| 2+ year gap | Amber warning (consider checking current prices) |
If the guide is newer than your donation year, values may be slightly higher due to inflation. If it is older, values may be slightly lower.
Tips if the guide does not match your item
You can:
- Check comparable sales (for example, eBay sold listings or local thrift pricing)
- Enter a custom value in the item form
- Add your source in Valuation notes for your records
For items over $5,000, IRS rules generally require a qualified appraisal.
Still have questions?
See IRS Publication 561 for full FMV guidance and recordkeeping details.
Charity Record is a donation tracking tool, not a tax advisor. This article summarizes publicly available IRS guidance to help you use our software. You are responsible for ensuring your tax filings comply with IRS requirements. For complex valuations or items over $5,000, consult a tax professional or qualified appraiser for advice specific to your situation.