Stay Compliant

with Your Annual

Fair Market Valuation

To keep your self directed IRA in good standing, required fair market valuations must be submitted by February 27, 2026 for the 2025 year end.

Start Your Fair Market Valuation

Managing Fair Market Valuations

What is a Fair Market Valuation

A fair market valuation is an annual estimate of what certain assets held inside your self directed IRA are worth as of December 31. The IRS requires this information so retirement accounts remain compliant and accurately reported.

We are sharing general information here, not tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Who it applies to (at a glance):

Fair Market Valuations are required for certain non publicly traded assets, including but not limited to:

  • Real Estate
  • Private Placements
  • Promissory Notes
  • Closely Held Businesses
  • Other Alternative Assets as outlined on the FMV form

Publicly traded assets with readily available market pricing typically do not require separate valuation documentation.

Timing:

Fair market valuations are required annually and must reflect the value of assets as of December 31 each year. For the 2025 year end, documentation must be received by February 27, 2026.

Download Your FMV Form

How to Submit Your Fair Market Valuation
(Step-by-Step)

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Review Your Assets

  • Not all assets require a fair market valuation. Review the form carefully to confirm which assets in your account require documentation.
  • If you are unsure whether an asset requires valuation, consult your tax professional.
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Obtain Appropriate Valuations

  • Depending on the asset type, this may include a professional appraisal, broker statement, financial statement, or other supporting documentation as outlined on the form.
  • MidAtlantic IRA does not determine asset values.
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Download & Complete the Fair Market Valuation Form

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Confirm Accuracy & Deadlines

  • The valuation must reflect the asset value as of December 31, 2025.
  • To remain compliant, submit all required documentation by February 27, 2026.
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Submit Your Form

  • Email a high-resolution PDF to FMV@MidAtlanticIRA.com
    OR

  • Fax to 301-695-6244

  • Typical processing time: 7–10 business days once we receive all required items.

Additional Notes

Providing accurate and timely fair market valuations is the responsibility of the account holder.

Failure to submit required valuations may result in inaccurate reporting to the IRS and could place your retirement account at risk of disqualification, potentially triggering a distribution of assets.

If you have questions about valuation requirements, documentation, or submission, please contact our team before the deadline.

If you have any questions and would like to speak to a representative, please email our team at FMV@MidAtlanticIRA.com, or call us at 240-575-3880 x645

Helpful Articles

Common Fair Market Value Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Fair Market Value reporting is straightforward once expectations are clear, but there are a few common mistakes that tend to come up year after year. The good news is that most of these issues are easily avoided with a bit of awareness and preparation.  Using the...

What Is Fair Market Value (FMV) and Why Does the IRS Require It?

Fair Market Value, often referred to as FMV, is the estimated value of an asset if it were sold in the open market under normal conditions. In simple terms, it reflects what a willing buyer would reasonably pay a willing seller at a given point in time.  For...

Why Fair Market Value Matters for Your Self Directed IRA

Fair Market Value is more than an administrative requirement. It plays a meaningful role in how your self directed IRA is reported, monitored, and managed over time.  Accurate FMV reporting helps ensure your account stays compliant and prevents avoidable issues as...

How Often Does Fair Market Value Need to Be Updated?

Fair Market Value must be updated once per year for self directed retirement accounts. Even though many alternative assets are long term or not frequently traded, the IRS still requires an annual snapshot of the account’s value.  This yearly update ensures retirement...

How to Determine Fair Market Value for Real Estate Held in an IRA

Real estate is one of the most common assets held inside a self directed IRA, and it is also one of the most misunderstood when it comes to Fair Market Value.  The goal of FMV reporting for real estate is not perfection. It is to provide a reasonable and supportable...

FMV for Private Lending Notes and Promissory Notes

Private lending and promissory notes are popular investments inside self directed IRAs, but they often cause confusion when it comes time to report Fair Market Value.  Unlike real estate or publicly traded assets, the value of a note is not always the same as the...

FMV for LLCs and Private Equity Investments

LLCs and private equity investments are common inside self directed IRAs, and they are also some of the most challenging assets to value. Unlike publicly traded investments, these assets do not have daily pricing or open market quotes.  Because of this, FMV reporting...

FMV for Alternative Assets (Crypto, Precious Metals, Notes, and More)

Alternative assets inside a self directed IRA can take many forms, from cryptocurrency and precious metals to notes and other nontraditional investments. While these assets differ in structure, they all share one common requirement: an annual Fair Market Value must be...

Who Is Responsible for Providing Fair Market Value?

When it comes to Fair Market Value reporting, one of the most common questions we hear is who determines the value of the assets held inside a self directed IRA.  The short answer is that the account holder is responsible for providing FMV, not the custodian. ...

What Documentation Should I Submit for Fair Market Value?

Submitting clear and complete documentation with your Fair Market Value helps ensure accurate reporting and prevents delays. While documentation can vary by asset type, the goal is always the same: to support the value being reported in a reasonable and transparent...

What Happens If I Don’t Submit Fair Market Value on Time?

Missing a Fair Market Value deadline does not mean you have done something wrong or triggered an immediate penalty. However, late or missing FMV can create avoidable complications if not addressed.  Understanding the potential impact helps you stay ahead of issues and...

FMV Is Reporting, Not a Tax Bill: What Clients Often Get Wrong

Fair Market Value reporting often feels more intimidating than it needs to be. For many investors, seeing a number attached to their retirement account can trigger unnecessary concern about taxes, performance, or whether they did something wrong.  The most important...

FMV Team Address

MidAtlantic IRA, LLC
FMV Department
118 West Church Street
Frederick, MD 21701

FMV Team Phone

240-575-3880 x645

FMV Team Email

FMV@MidAtlanticIRA.com