Why does my FMV guide show last year's date?
Summary: In January through April, 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. If you disagree with a suggested value for your item, you can always enter a custom value based on comparable sales. For IRS guidance on FMV, see IRS Publication 561.
We will not change values you enter if a new guide is published after your entry is saved.
Which guide year Charity Record uses
Charity Record uses the guide for your donation year when one is 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 April 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 guide: Built by Charity Record from documented source inputs. Source types include published economic indices (for example, CPI), charity valuation guides, and consignment and resale marketplace data. The 2026 guide also adds an Excellent quality tier on some items, while other items have one or two guide prices instead of all three. The new guide also broadens search to match common alternate names. For details on what changed and what stayed the same, see How the FMV guide changes year to year.
2027 and later: Specific sources can change year to year,. We will document major updates.
How precise does FMV need to be?
IRS Publication 17 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 April, current-year donation, guide is often 1 year behind | Blue info message (normal, guide coming soon) |
| 1-year gap outside the January-April update window (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 or older than your donation year, values may differ from market prices for the donation date.
Tips if the guide does not match your item
If the guide does not match your item or you can't find your item with search, 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 an item or group of similar items over $5,000, IRS rules require Form 8283 Section B and a qualified appraisal unless an exception applies. Some asset classes have special rules, so check the Form 8283 instructions or consult a tax professional for larger or unusual donations.
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. Clothing and household items must be in good used condition or better unless the IRS appraisal exception applies. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring your tax filings comply with IRS requirements. For complex valuations, items in less than good used condition, or items over $5,000, consult a tax professional or qualified appraiser for advice specific to your situation.