"Method used to determine the fair market value" for charitable contributions

Forum|Forum|4 months ago
January 30, 2026
2 replies
12 views

TurboTax 2025 desktop lists "Comparative sales" on Form 8283 as the method used to determine the valuation of a charitable donation (for publicly traded securities) regardless of the method I have selected in the "interview" OR the one I've selected manually on the worksheet. Is this just a software bug?

TurboTax Home & Biz Windows

SteamTrain

Level 15

@fla2025

Yeah, I've seen that too. I'm thinking it might be the preferred method for those, and Comparative Sales might be locked in

They changed the Interview this year for entering stock donations, and I looked at my 8283 for a number of prior years where the interview was different, and since 2019, they always said Comparative Sales.

Those prior years they had an entirely separate selection for stock donations (i.e., you didn't go into the "Items" section to enter it), and the interview (at least since 2019) didn't even ask for the valuation method. I just entered a stock donation again in my 2021 Desktop software in a test file....the interview doesn't ask for the valuation method and the 8283 automatically uses Comparative Sales..... Never been questioned before.....so maybe it's right. (I guess, in a way...Comparative Sales in the stock market on the date you donated)

____________*Answers are correct to the best of my knowledge when posted, but should not be considered to be legal or official tax advice.*

fla2025Author

Level 2

Thanks - I'm not clear it actually makes a difference in the filing (maybe the IRS just doesn't care about the method reported for publicly traded securities), but TurboTax's own instructions suggest that "comparative sales" is the wrong choice. If I click the question mark next to "Valuation method" in the "Step-by-Step" process, TurboTax's guidance says:

The valuation method is whatever is used to determine fair market value. For stocks, that usually the average share price.

(Of course, they mean "that is usually.")

phstephan

Level 2

"Comparative sales" is the wrong value. It should be honor whatever value I select. I also tried to select "Average Sale Price" but the form shows "Comparative sales". How do we report this bug?

Monikak11

Level 2

The issues with entries on Form 8283 and donations of stock have been reported by other users and have been elevated for investigation. It has since been confirmed as an issue by our development team.

We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, and you can sign up here for updates.

In the alternative, as long as the dollar amounts are correct, you could also choose to continue to file.

See this TurboTax tips article for more information about Form 8283.

Level 2

The issue with Form 8283 defaulting DAF stock donations to comparative sales persists. It was reported in January and as of the 03/05/2026 update has not been resolved. Please share an update/ETA on resolution.

sallyawalk

Level 2

Agree! I really don't want to file with this issue outstanding. Sitting on a decent sized refund this year, too - feel like TT owes us the interest on that money while they waste our time. 😞