Washington Administrative Code
Title 255 - Historical Society, Washington State
Chapter 255-30 - Washington State Historical Society-gifts, Grants, Conveyances, Bequests and Devices
Section 255-30-040 - Income tax charitable deductions

(1) Cash and checks: Cash and checks may be accepted regardless of the amount. The value of any cash or check gift is its face value. Checks should be written to the Washington State Historical Society or WSHS.

(2) Real or personal property: If the gift is personal or real property the society may document the value of the gift as it was formally appraised or accept the donor's stated value as a good faith estimate. For gifts valued at $5000 or greater the donor must provide an independent professional appraisal.

(3) Life insurance: If the donor named the society as the beneficiary of a new or existing whole life insurance policy, the designation will be recorded as a gift, at its present value, when the gift becomes irrevocable. Alternatively, when the society is named as both beneficiary and irreversible owner of a whole life insurance policy, it will be recorded as a gift.

(4) Charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, and willed bequests: The income from a trust and/or a willed legacy will be recorded as a gift, at its present value, when a gift becomes irreversible.

(5) Retirement plan beneficiary designations: If a donor designates the society as a beneficiary of his or her retirement plan, it will be recorded as a gift, at its present value, when the gift becomes irreversible/permanent.

(6) Gifts in-kind: These include gifts of time and services. The society will record the donation of time and services, but will not identify a dollar value.