"If the asset does not have a readily determinable market value, then it must be valued by an independent third party appraiser."
The stock is probably worth less than $2,000 at 12/31/19. The investment earnings on it for 2019 may only be a couple of hundred dollars. Must the employer hire an independent third party appraiser when the amounts are so small. My guess is that TPAs are not hiring an appraiser in these situations. Does anyone have a better solution that won't cause problems with the IRS? Thanks.