Top 10 Gift and Estate Tax Valuation Firms in the U.S. (2025 Guide)
The clock is ticking for wealthy families across America. With the federal estate tax exemption poised to drop dramatically in 2026—potentially cutting from $13.61 million to approximately $6 million per individual—2025 represents a critical window for strategic wealth transfers.
But here's what many high-net-worth families don't realize: your valuation firm choice could make or break your estate planning strategy.
Whether you're transferring business interests through family limited partnerships, establishing charitable remainder trusts, or implementing generation-skipping strategies, the IRS demands professionally prepared, audit-defensible valuation reports that can withstand intense scrutiny.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll reveal the top 10 estate valuation firms, critical selection criteria, and insider insights that could save your family millions.
What Is a Gift and Estate Tax Valuation?
A gift and estate tax valuation is the process of finding out how much an asset is worth when it's given as a gift or passed on after someone dies. This helps the IRS decide if any taxes are owed.
What Makes Gift and Estate Tax Valuations Different from Business Appraisals?
Estate and gift tax valuations aren't just standard business appraisals with different covers. These specialized reports must establish Fair Market Value (FMV) under specific IRS guidelines that differ significantly from other valuation purposes.
Core IRS Compliance Requirements
Every compliant estate valuation must adhere to:
- IRS Revenue Ruling 59-60 (the foundational estate valuation standard)
- Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)
- AICPA's Statement on Standards for Valuation Services (SSVS-1)
- Proper application of marketability and control discounts
The valuation must reflect what a hypothetical willing buyer would pay a willing seller, neither being under compulsion to buy or sell, and both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts.
When Do You Need Professional Estate Valuations?
Professional valuations become mandatory for:
- Lifetime gifts exceeding annual exclusion limits ($18,000 per recipient in 2025)
- Estate tax returns (Form 706) for estates over $13.61 million
- Generation-skipping transfer tax calculations
- Charitable deduction claims for donated business interests
- Family limited partnership or LLC interest transfers
Top 10 Gift and Estate Tax Valuation Firms in the U.S: Complete Analysis
1. Transaction Capital LLC
Specialization: Comprehensive estate planning valuations for family-owned businesses and startup founders
Delaware-registered Transaction Capital LLC has earned recognition as a premier choice for families seeking IRS-compliant estate valuations without premium pricing. Operating from their Wilmington, DE headquarters at 2055 Limestone RD STE 200-C, their team combines Big 4 experience with boutique-level personal attention.
Key Strengths:
- Transparent pricing starting at $500 for qualified estate valuations
- Rapid turnaround of 4-7 business days
- Certified professionals holding ABV®, ASA®, CVA®, and MRICS® credentials
- Comprehensive audit support throughout IRS examinations
- Specialized expertise in family limited partnerships, charitable remainder trusts, and business succession planning
Why Estate Planners Choose Them:
- Proven track record with 1,500+ completed valuations across 35+ industries
- 100% audit success rate with major accounting firms
- Ongoing support during IRS challenges at no additional cost
- Experience with complex structures including GRATs, CRTs, and dynasty trusts
- Free 15-minute consultations available (Business Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-6:00pm)
- Complete "bank packages" including valuation reports and supporting documentation for financing needs
Meet the Transaction Capital Team
Dr. Gaurav B. - Lead Valuation Expert
- ABV® from AICPA, ASA from American Society of Appraisers
- MRICS from RICS UK, CVA® from NACVA
- MBA, Ph.D. & Post Doc. in Finance
- GRI Certified Sustainability Professional
- 15+ years in investment banking and venture capital
- 1,500+ business valuations completed, 30+ M&A transactions facilitated
Brad Cocheran - Senior Advisor
- Nationally Certified Bookkeeper
- Masters in Accounting and Financial Management
- Successfully built and sold Mud Mixers, LLC (grew to $30M+ annual revenue)
- Experience managing 100+ employees and $100M+ annual revenue
- Diverse expertise across retail, emergency lighting, trucking, oil field services, construction, aviation, and accounting
2. Eton Venture Services
Specialization: High-growth companies and intellectual property-heavy businesses
Eton brings institutional-quality valuations to technology founders and venture-backed companies planning wealth transfers. Their client roster includes household names like Pinterest and high-profile entrepreneurs.
Best For: Tech entrepreneurs transferring equity stakes or stock options to family members
3. Valuation Research Corporation (VRC)
Specialization: Complex estate portfolios with diverse asset classes
Founded in 1975, VRC excels at valuing multi-generational family enterprises that span real estate, operating businesses, and investment holdings within sophisticated trust structures.
Best For: Established family offices with international assets and complex holding company structures
4. Kroll (formerly Duff & Phelps)
Specialization: International families and cross-border estate planning
Kroll's global presence makes them ideal for families with offshore trusts, international business interests, or dual-citizenship considerations requiring coordinated valuation approaches.
Best For: Ultra-high-net-worth families with multinational business operations
5. Stout
Specialization: Contested estates and expert testimony
Stout's valuations are built to withstand courtroom scrutiny. They're frequently engaged when family disputes or IRS challenges require bulletproof documentation and expert witness testimony.
Best For: Estate planning with anticipated litigation risk or IRS audit exposure
6. Houlihan Lokey
Specialization: Large family offices and succession planning
Houlihan brings investment banking-level rigor to estate valuations, particularly valuable for families planning partial exits, management buyouts, or complex recapitalizations.
Best For: Business owners preparing for succession while minimizing estate tax exposure
7. Teknos Associates
Specialization: Cryptocurrency, NFTs, and intellectual property valuations
Teknos leads the industry in valuing Web3 assets, patent portfolios, and pre-revenue technology companies—increasingly important for modern estate planning.
Best For: Innovation-focused families with significant digital asset holdings
8. Peak Business Valuation
Specialization: Family-owned businesses and straightforward estate structures
Peak offers practical, cost-effective solutions for traditional family businesses transferring LLC interests, S-Corporation shares, or partnership stakes to the next generation.
Best For: Main Street businesses and traditional family enterprises
9. Reedwood Valuation
Specialization: International tax coordination and multi-jurisdictional planning
Reedwood specializes in families navigating multiple tax systems, offshore structures, and international treaty considerations in their estate planning.
Best For: Families with significant international exposure or immigration-related estate planning needs
10. MPI (Management Planning Inc.)
Specialization: Audit defense and contested valuation situations
MPI's reports are engineered for IRS scrutiny and courtroom presentation. They're often retained when existing valuations face challenges or disputes.
Best For: Families requiring maximum defensibility in high-stakes situations
Critical Warning Signs: How to Avoid Problematic Valuation Firms
Not every firm claiming estate valuation expertise can deliver IRS-compliant results. Here are the red flags that signal potential problems:
1. Missing Enterprise Value Calculations
The Problem: Reports that fail to include total enterprise or equity value make it impossible to assess overall reasonableness—a critical flaw in estate valuations.
Transaction Capital Difference: We always provide comprehensive enterprise value analysis with clear documentation of our calculations and assumptions.
2. Unsigned or Uncredentialed Reports
The Problem: Valuations without proper appraiser signatures or missing professional credentials violate USPAP standards and IRS requirements.
Our Standard: Every report includes signed certifications from ABV®, ASA®, or CVA® credentialed professionals with verified license numbers.
3. Inexperienced Team Members
The Problem: Many discount providers rely on recent graduates with minimal practical experience—problematic when facing IRS scrutiny.
Our Expertise: Our valuation team averages over 10 years of professional experience, with backgrounds in investment banking and M&A transactions.
4. Questionable Data Sources
The Problem: Firms using unverifiable internal data or circular reasoning create reports that collapse under professional review.
Our Approach: We exclusively use third-party market data from recognized sources, with complete citations and transparency in our methodology.
5. Limited Report Applications
The Problem: Some firms issue reports that can't be used for related purposes like financial reporting or tax planning, limiting their utility.
Our Standard: All Transaction Capital reports meet standards for estate planning, financial reporting, and related valuation needs.
6. Internal Inconsistencies
The Problem: Reports with contradictory assumptions across sections signal poor quality control and weak professional oversight.
Our Process: Multiple expert reviews ensure consistency and defensibility throughout every valuation report.
7. No Post-Delivery Support
The Problem: Firms that disappear after report delivery leave clients vulnerable during audits or family office reviews.
Our Commitment: We provide ongoing support before, during, and after delivery, including audit assistance and expert testimony when needed.
Key Valuation Discounts That Can Save You Tax
| Discount | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| DLOC | Reduces value of non-controlling interests |
| DLOM | Reflects difficulty selling shares in private companies |
| Minority Interest | Adjusts value for small ownership blocks |
| Key Person Discount | Applies when a company relies heavily on one person |
| Blockage Discount | Useful when gifting large volumes of illiquid shares |
Understanding Critical Estate Tax Valuation Discounts
Proper discount application can significantly reduce estate tax exposure. Here's how experienced firms apply these adjustments:
1. Discount for Lack of Control (DLOC)
Purpose: Reduces value for minority ownership interests that cannot direct business operations
Typical Range: 10-35% depending on governance structure and minority rights
Application: Essential for family limited partnership transfers and gifting strategies
2. Discount for Lack of Marketability (DLOM)
Purpose: Reflects the difficulty of selling illiquid business interests
Typical Range: 20-45% for closely held businesses
Factors: Transfer restrictions, market conditions, and company-specific liquidity constraints
3. Key Person Discount
Purpose: Adjusts value when business success depends heavily on specific individuals
Typical Range: 5-25% depending on succession planning and management depth
Application: Common in professional practices and family-controlled businesses
4. Minority Interest Adjustments
Purpose: Reflects reduced value of small ownership blocks without operational control
Considerations: Voting rights, dividend policies, and exit mechanisms
Strategic Use: Maximizes gifting capacity within annual exclusion limits
5. Blockage Discount
Purpose: Applied when transferring large volumes of illiquid shares that would be difficult to sell simultaneously
Typical Range: 5-20% depending on market depth and trading volume
Application: Particularly relevant for significant equity transfers in family businesses
Strategic Estate Planning Considerations for 2025
1. The 2026 Estate Tax Cliff
Unless Congress acts, the current $13.61 million estate tax exemption will revert to approximately $6 million (adjusted for inflation) on January 1, 2026. This creates unprecedented urgency for wealth transfer strategies.
2. Optimal Timing Strategies
Act Before Year-End: Complete major transfers in 2025 to lock in current exemption levels
Bundle Transfers: Coordinate multiple family members' gifts to maximize exemption usage
Consider Grantor Trusts: Utilize intentionally defective grantor trusts for tax-efficient transfers
Start Early: Top estate valuation firms typically get fully booked during Q4 as families rush to meet year-end deadlines
3. Advanced Transfer Techniques
Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs): Transfer growth potential while retaining income streams - particularly effective in low interest rate environments for high-growth businesses
Family Limited Partnerships: Structure business interests to enhance discount opportunities while maintaining family control
Charitable Remainder Trusts: Combine estate tax savings with philanthropic objectives while providing income streams
Essential Questions to Ask Your Valuation Firm
Before engaging any estate valuation provider, ensure they can answer these critical questions:
1. Experience and Credentials
- How many estate and gift tax valuations has your firm completed?
- Which professionals will sign our report, and what are their credentials?
- Can you provide references from estate planning attorneys and family offices?
2. Methodology and Compliance
- How do you ensure compliance with IRS Revenue Ruling 59-60?
- What discount studies and market data support your adjustments?
- How do you handle complex structures like family limited partnerships?
3. Support and Defense
- What support do you provide during IRS audits or examinations?
- Can you provide expert witness testimony if needed?
- How do you stay current with evolving estate tax regulations?
Take Action: Secure Your Family's Financial Future
The convergence of estate tax law changes and current market conditions creates a unique opportunity for families to implement tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies. However, success depends on having the right professional team in place.
Transaction Capital LLC combines deep technical expertise, proven IRS compliance, and client-focused service to help families navigate this critical period. Our transparent pricing, rapid turnaround, and comprehensive support ensure your estate planning proceeds smoothly and effectively.
Schedule Your Complimentary Estate Planning Consultation Now →
Don't let the 2026 estate tax changes catch your family unprepared. The wealth transfer strategies you implement today could save millions in taxes tomorrow—but only with the right valuation foundation.